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Maria can’t wait for the Shoebox Kids skating party—but a squabble with her brother, a mean word on a foggy window, and a lie to avoid blame spoil the fun. Later, a call from Mrs. Shue and a heartfelt talk with Dad help Maria see how even “small” lies break trust. She prays, apologizes to Mom and Chris, and discovers a “Jesus footprint” in her life: the courage to tell the truth. A warm story about honesty, making things right, and noticing how Jesus helps us do the hard but good thing.

Talk about it:

• Why did Maria choose to lie, and how did it affect her family?
• What does Dad mean about trust when someone lies “once in a while”?
• What is a “Jesus footprint,” and where did Maria see one?
• Who do you need to apologize to—or tell the truth to—this week?

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To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.

Or write to us by mail:
Kathy’s Kids Storytime
PO Box 44270
Charlotte, NC 28215-0043

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After Joshua dies, Israel forgets God and the Midianites steal their food year after year. When the people finally pray, God answers. He sends a prophet to remind them of His rescue and then calls an unlikely hero named Gideon. While Gideon is secretly threshing wheat, an angel says, “The Lord is with you.” Gideon asks for proof, and God sends fire to burn up his offering. That night, God tells Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and build one for the Lord. Even though Gideon feels small, God promises, “I will be with you.” Kids learn that God hears prayers, chooses ordinary people, and gives courage to do what is right.

Talk about it:

• Why were the Israelites hiding, and what made life so hard for them?
• How did God show Gideon that He was really speaking to him?
• Why did God ask Gideon to tear down the altar to Baal?
• What is one brave thing you can do this week to follow God?

Visit our website: kathyskidsstorytime.org

We’d love to hear from you.
To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.

Or write to us by mail:
Kathy’s Kids Storytime
PO Box 44270
Charlotte, NC 28215-0043

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Sammy loves Sabbath—except for those tight shoes…and Pete, the class pest. After a Sabbath School lesson about loving enemies (Matthew 5:39, 44), Sammy heads to school determined to do right. When Pete flicks his ear and later tries to copy during a surprise math test, Sammy wants to tell on him. A quick prayer changes his plan: maybe Pete isn’t mean—maybe he’s confused and afraid to ask for help. Instead of getting even, Sammy asks the teacher if he can tutor Pete, and he spots a “Jesus footprint” in his own heart—God giving power to do the hard thing. A real-life story about kindness, courage, and choosing what Jesus would do.

Talk about it:

• What does Jesus ask us to do when people are unkind?
• How did prayer help Sammy make a better choice?
• When is it hard for you to be kind, and what could you do instead?
• Who might need your help at school this week?

Visit our website: kathyskidsstorytime.org

We’d love to hear from you.
To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.

Or write to us by mail:
Kathy’s Kids Storytime
PO Box 44270
Charlotte, NC 28215-0043

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Five kings join forces to attack Gibeon, and Joshua rushes to help after praying for God’s guidance. God promises to be with Israel. Joshua leads a nighttime march for a surprise attack, and God sends a storm with giant hailstones that scatter the enemy. When Joshua sees the battle will last past sunset, he prays a bold prayer. God makes the sun stand still over Gibeon and the moon pause so Israel can finish the fight. It becomes a day unlike any other because God listened to a leader who trusted Him. Kids will learn to pray first, act with courage, and remember that God keeps His promises.

Talk about it:

• Why did the five kings attack Gibeon, and how did Joshua respond?
• What did God do to help Israel during the battle?
• Why did Joshua ask God to make the sun stand still?
• What is one brave prayer you can pray when you need God’s help?

Visit our website: kathyskidsstorytime.org

We’d love to hear from you.
To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.

Or write to us by mail:
Kathy’s Kids Storytime
PO Box 44270
Charlotte, NC 28215-0043

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The Shoebox Kids head out for a short Sabbath School hike and learn a big lesson about faith. Even though they cannot see any animals, Sammy spots tracks in the mud. They cannot see the wind, but they feel it and watch it move the trees. Back in class, Mrs. Shue reads Hebrews 11:1 and invites everyone to watch for “Jesus’ footprints” this quarter. The kids will look for small clues that Jesus is with them, like answers to prayer, kinder choices, or help with everyday decisions. Faith grows when we notice the evidence that Jesus is real and working in our lives.

Talk about it:

• What clues helped the class know animals and wind were real even when they could not see them?
• What does Hebrews 11:1 say about faith?
• Where did you notice “Jesus’ footprints” this week?
• What decision can you pray about and watch how Jesus helps?

Visit our website: kathyskidsstorytime.org

We’d love to hear from you.
To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.

Or write to us by mail:
Kathy’s Kids Storytime
PO Box 44270
Charlotte, NC 28215-0043

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News of Israel’s victories spreads, and the people of Gibeon hatch a sneaky plan: they dress in worn-out clothes, carry crumbly bread, and pretend to be from far away so Joshua will make peace with them. The leaders look at the evidence, taste the bread—and forget to pray. Three days later, they discover the truth. Because they had promised safety, Israel keeps its word, and the Gibeonites become woodcutters and water carriers for God’s house. This story teaches discernment, the importance of asking God for guidance, and why keeping our promises matters.

Talk about it:

• Why did the Gibeonites pretend to be from a faraway country?
• What important step did Joshua and the leaders forget?
• Why did Israel keep its promise even after learning the truth?
• What jobs did the Gibeonites do afterward, and what can we learn from that?

Visit our website: kathyskidsstorytime.org

We’d love to hear from you.
To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.

Or write to us by mail:
Kathy’s Kids Storytime
PO Box 44270
Charlotte, NC 28215-0043

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Maria thinks copying answers from her teacher’s book is “no big deal”—until a cookie caper with her little sister, Yo-Yo, makes the truth impossible to hide. Later in Sabbath School, the Shoebox Kids study Achan’s story and learn that God sees everything and wants honest hearts. Maria realizes she needs to tell the truth, too. A relatable story about temptation, telling the truth, and how God helps us choose integrity even when no one is watching.

Talk about it:

• Why did Maria think copying the answers didn’t matter at first?
• How did Yo-Yo’s “chocolate on her face” help Maria see her own mistake?
• What does Achan’s story teach us about hidden choices?
• What is one honest choice you can make this week?

Visit our website: kathyskidsstorytime.org

We’d love to hear from you.
To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.

Or write to us by mail:
Kathy’s Kids Storytime
PO Box 44270
Charlotte, NC 28215-0043

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After the victory at Jericho, Israel expects an easy win at Ai—but the soldiers run away and Joshua falls before God, devastated. God reveals the reason: someone has disobeyed by taking things from Jericho that were meant to be destroyed. By God’s choice, the tribes and families come forward until Achan is named. He confesses that he hid silver, gold, and clothes under his tent. Israel removes the sin from the camp, and then—following God’s new plan—they return to Ai and win. This sobering story shows that hidden choices can hurt many people, and that God calls His people to honest hearts and obedient lives.

Talk about it:

• Why did Israel lose the first battle at Ai?
• What did Achan take, and why was hiding it such a big problem?
• How did God help Joshua after the people obeyed?
• What is one honest choice you can make this week, even if it’s hard?

Visit our website: kathyskidsstorytime.org

We’d love to hear from you.
To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.

Or write to us by mail:
Kathy’s Kids Storytime
PO Box 44270
Charlotte, NC 28215-0043