Part of the Story

Bible Reading: ROMANS 6:4-11; COLOSSIANS 3:1-4

Rami tore the wrapping paper off the birthday gift from his dad. When he saw the book that was inside, he jumped up and down. “All right! The next Archer Perry book!”

“Did I get the right one?” asked Dad.

“Yeah! This is the next one in the series I need to read. Thanks, Dad!”

After they had cake and ice cream, Rami curled up on the couch and began to read. He stayed there most of the evening, engrossed in another of Archer Perry’s adventures. When he finished the last page, he put down the book and stretched.

“Did you finish that book already?” asked Dad.

“Yep!” Rami said, grinning. “It was so good, Dad! In this one, Archer goes back to the magical land he discovered in the first book to help his friends battle an evil king. They had to fight giant monsters and rescue a princess—but then they found out she was evil too! Things got pretty bad for Archer, but he and his friends won in the end.” Rami swished an imaginary sword through the air. “When I read those books, I wish I could be part of the story.”

“I understand the feeling,” said Dad. “But Rami, don’t forget that you’re part of a much bigger story than Archer Perry’s.”

“I am?” Rami furrowed his eyebrows. “What story is that?”

Dad picked up his Bible from the coffee table. “You’re part of this story—God’s story. It’s the story of how He sent His Son to rescue us from sin and save the whole world.”

“I never thought of the Bible as a story like that before,” Rami said.

“It’s the greatest story of all!” Dad replied. “It’s not a story about made-up characters—Jesus is real, and His story is our story. When He died on the cross, He paid the price for our sin. And when He rose from the dead, He conquered death so we could have eternal life. When things are looking bad, we need to remember how the story ends—with Jesus getting rid of sin forever and making the whole world new.”

Rami smiled as he got up to get ready for bed. “Before I go to sleep, I think I’ll get my Bible and read some of that story.” COURTNEY LASATER

How About You?

Do you love a good story? Maybe you have a favorite book or movie that you read or watch over and over, wishing you were part of the story. It’s fun to get wrapped up in a good story, but don’t forget the epic story you are a part of—the one the Bible tells of how Jesus saved the world from sin and will make everything right. That story is real, and it’s the greatest story of all.

Today’s Key Verse:
ROMANS 6:5 SINCE WE HAVE BEEN UNITED WITH [JESUS] IN HIS DEATH, WE WILL ALSO BE RAISED TO LIFE AS HE WAS. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

You’re part of God’s Story