A Big Family

Bible Reading: Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:4-7

Ellie lingered in her Sunday school classroom after the other kids had rushed out the door. Clutching her Bible, she stared at her teacher, who was putting books and papers away. “Can I help you with something, Ellie?” asked Miss Robyn.

A tear escaped down Ellie’s face, and she quickly brushed it away with her sleeve. “Miss Robyn, did you know that Keisha isn’t here this morning because she’s visiting a family that’s going to adopt her?” she asked. “I know that’s good for her, but…but she’ll have to move away.” Ellie’s voice shook a little. “I don’t want her to move. She’s my best friend, and I’ll be so lonely without her.”

Miss Robyn put an arm around Ellie’s shoulder. “I know it’s difficult to have a friend leave, but try to be happy for Keisha. She didn’t have any family left on this earth after her mom died, but now she’s going to have a home with a family who loves her. Best of all, Pastor Carlson knows the family, and he told me they love Jesus too.”

Ellie nodded. “I know, and I am happy for her. She’ll have a mom and a dad and a brother and two sisters! She’ll have a bigger family than I do—I only have a sister.” Ellie sighed. “It’s just that I’ll miss her so much when she’s gone!”

“Yes, but you can still keep in touch. You can text her and have video calls with her,” said Miss Robyn.

Ellie smiled a little. “That would be fun. Being adopted is a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is,” said Miss Robyn with a smile. “Did you know that everyone who trusts in Jesus is also adopted? All those who know Him as their Savior are adopted into God’s big family—so they’re all brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Ellie gave her teacher a big smile. “I forgot about that. I’ll remind Keisha that she’s already been adopted because she knows Jesus, and I’ll tell her I’m adopted too!

And that means we’re sisters, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, it does” said Miss Robyn. “And you’ll still be sisters even after she moves away.”

Ellie smiled again. “I like that—and Keisha will too.”

-Beth Anne Ingram

How About You?

Have you been adopted by God? Do you have lots of brothers and sisters because you’re part of God’s big family? If you haven’t yet trusted Jesus as your Savior, why wait any longer? He wants you to become His child so you can enjoy everything that comes with being part of His family. Trust in Him today. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse: 1 John 3:1 (NIV) See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Today’s Key Thought:

Be adopted by God