School Pictures

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:14-17

“What do you think of this one?” Sophie asked her older sister. Kara was helping her choose an outfit to wear for her school pictures the next day.

“Why don’t you pick something simpler?” Kara suggested. “Remember, Mom said you have to pick clothes without too bold of a pattern so they will look good in the picture.”

Sophie slid the shirt she was holding on a hanger and hung it back up in her closet. “Okay.”

“So, how was Sunday school this morning?” Kara asked as she searched through the clothes hanging in Sophie’s closet.

Sophie shrugged. “All right, I guess. I just wish it was more exciting.”

Kara frowned. “I thought you enjoyed Sunday school.”

“I do. I just wish there was more time for games and playing with my friends. Maybe then more kids would come to church!”

“I know it can be hard to sit,” Kara said. “And the teachers do their best to make the lessons fun. But sometimes you can get so focused on playing games and seeing your friends that you miss what God wants to teach you.”

“What do you mean?” Sophie asked.

“Well, it’s like your school pictures. If you wear a shirt with a busy pattern, the people who see the picture will focus on your clothes instead of your beautiful smile.”

“So is playing games with my friends bad?”

Kara pulled another shirt, a pale blue one, out of the closet. “No. They just shouldn’t distract you from the real reason we go to church— to worship Jesus and learn about Him.” She held the shirt up against Sophie, studying it. “See? It’s like this shirt. It brings out the blue in your eyes without distracting people from what they’re supposed to be looking at.”

“My face!” Sophie smiled. “I get it. We go to church to worship and learn about Jesus, and I should be focusing on Him.” She took the blue shirt from Kara. “You know what? I think I like this one.”

Kara grinned. “Just remember, the most important thing to wear is a smile!”

– Jessica Kleeberger

How About You?

What do you focus on when you go to church? It can be fun to play games, do crafts, and visit with friends, but we shouldn’t let that distract us from the real reason we go to church—to learn about Jesus and worship Him. Praying, singing songs, and reading the Bible together are all ways we worship Jesus and learn more about Him. When you go to church, focus on Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another… singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Focus on Jesus at church