Tag Archives: faith

True Tale Trail Episode 5: Tracking Jesus

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Have you ever been walking on a trail and noticed tracks in the mud—maybe from a dog, a deer, or even a duck? In this week’s episode, we kick things off with a fun game called Tricky Tracks where kids will hear clues about different animal footprints and get to guess what creature made them.

But even better than that, we’ll be talking about what it looks like to follow the best tracks ever, the footsteps of Jesus! Just like we can follow animal tracks in the woods, the Bible says we can follow Him.

“He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”
— 1 Peter 2:21b (NLT)

In simple, kid-friendly language, the episode explains that we follow Jesus not by hunting for His footprints outdoors, but by living like Him—loving God and loving people even when it’s hard.

We also focus on our Backpack Bible Verse for this episode:

“Come and follow me,” Jesus said.
— Matthew 4:19 (NIrV)

Jesus didn’t just invite His disciples 2,000 years ago to follow Him—He invites us today. When kids (and grown ups) follow Jesus, step by step, the “tracks” they leave behind become shaped by the love, joy, peace, patience and fruit His Spirit grows in our lives.

So grab your backpacks, your Bibles and let’s hit the True Tale Trail! You can listen to the new episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music.

Download the Tricky Tracks Worksheet to have fun identifying various animal tracks with your kids.

And don’t forget: after you listen, download the Family Discussion Guide to keep exploring the True Tale Trail together at home.

 Listen now

 Get the Family Discussion Guide

Sign up here for the True Tale Trail Newsletter to get family discussion guides sent straight to your inbox.

True Tale Trail Episode 4: Walking with God

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Have you ever gone on a walk with someone you really enjoy spending time with—maybe a family member, a friend, or even your dog? Walking together means sticking close, talking, laughing, and sharing the adventure.

In this week’s brand-new episode of The True Tale Trail, we’re asking a big question: What does it mean to walk with God?

We’ll head back to the very beginning of the Bible to meet a man named Enoch, who lived in a world where most people were walking the wrong way. But Enoch was different—he chose to walk faithfully with God. And the amazing part? You and I can do that too!

Through this episode, kids will discover that walking with God isn’t about taking a hike or climbing a mountain. It’s about staying close to God every day—trusting Him, talking with Him, and following His lead, no matter where life’s trail takes us.

🎒 Backpack Bible Verse
“Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” — James 4:8 (NIV)

So grab your backpacks, your Bibles and let’s hit the True Tale Trail! You can listen to the new episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music.

And don’t forget: after you listen, download the Family Discussion Guide to keep exploring the True Tale Trail together at home.I

Let’s keep walking close to God—one step at a time.

🎧 Listen now

🏕️ Get the Family Discussion Guide

Sign up here for the True Tale Trail Newsletter to get family discussion guides sent straight to your inbox.

Kids’ Back-to-School Devotion: Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

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Download the coloring sheet here.

Bible Verse: Let us keep looking to Jesus. – Hebrews 12:2a (NIrV)

It’s hard to believe, but back-to-school season is here!  Whether you go to public school, private school, home school or whatever school, school is a big deal because we spend so much time doing it. How do you feel about school this fall? Are you excited? Nervous?  Worried? Scared? Happy? Sad? Or maybe you’re somewhere in between all of those!  

Whatever you’re feeling about school this year, God wants you to remember that you’re not in it alone. He is with you and wants you to keep your eyes on Him no matter what happens.  

It’s kind of like the time Jesus’ friends ended up on a lake on a windy night. The Bible says the boat was, “being pounded by the waves because the wind was blowing against it” (Matthew 14:24 NIrV).  That had to be pretty scary.  But then, things got even scarier. Just before dawn, the disciples looked up and saw someone walking near them on top of the water!

“‘It’s a ghost!’ they said. And they cried out in fear” (verse 26).

But it wasn’t a ghost. It was Jesus!  When Jesus’ friend Peter saw him, he said, “Lord is it you? If it is, tell me to come to you on the water” (verse 28). Then Jesus gave Peter the ability to walk on the water too. How cool is that?  

However, once Peter got out of the boat, he saw the wind and waves and panicked. He took his eyes off of Jesus, and that’s when he began to sink. Jesus rushed in and saved him and when they got in the boat, the wind stopped! Everyone in the boat was amazed. They worshiped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!” (verse 33).

As you go into your school year, you’ll probably face some wind and waves. Maybe it will be some tough schoolwork, a hard friend situation or something going on in your family life. We can’t control those things.  

But the good news is there is something we can control. We can choose to look at the waves or we can choose to keep our eyes on Jesus. We can choose worry or we can choose worship. When we choose to worship, it won’t make all of our worries go away but it will remind us that God is big enough to help us through any challenge we face.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, He can do amazing things in our lives even in the middle of a storm. He did it for His friend Peter and He can do it for you!

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being with me no matter what. Help me to have a great school year following You. When I’m tempted to worry, help me to worship You instead. I love You. Amen.

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