Carpooling with Jesus | Bible Stories for Kids Devotionals Daily Devotional for Kids Daily Christian Kids Devotional

Hey Carpool Crew,

Anybody can be respectful when everything's easy. The real test is the hard moment. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Ephesians 6:1-2, where the Bible tells kids to honor their father and mother. Honor means treating someone like they matter, with your words and your tone and your attitude. And the moment it counts most is the inconvenient one, when you're tired and you'd rather grumble.

This Friday episode hands kids three things to try this week: do what your parents ask without the sigh and th...

Hey Carpool Crew,

You can't pick your siblings, you can't return them, and in the summer you're stuck with them a whole lot. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Romans 12:18, where the Bible says to live at peace as far as it depends on you. Kids can't control whether a brother or sister calms down. They can control their part. And often, when one person stops adding wood to the fire, the fire starts to go out.

This Thursday episode hands kids three things to try this week: be the one who stops...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Family can be the easiest people to love and the easiest people to get annoyed with, sometimes in the same five minutes. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Colossians 3:12, where the Bible says to put on kindness like clothes. Kindness isn't just a feeling that shows up. It's something a kid chooses to wear, even on a loud, crowded day, and the people we get the most chances to practice on are usually right in our own house.

This Wednesday episode hands kids three things to tr...

Hey Carpool Crew,

A plan you were counting on falls apart, and it can wreck a kid's whole mood in two seconds. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Proverbs 16:9, where we plan our way but the Lord determines our steps. Even when the day goes sideways, God hasn't lost control for one second. The plan changed. He didn't. And some of the best days of the summer are the ones that didn't go the way anybody wanted.

This Tuesday episode hands kids three things to try this week: take a...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Talking to grandparents can feel a little awkward, and a lot of kids freeze up. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Proverbs 16:31, where gray hair is called a glorious crown. The best gift a kid can give an older person isn't the perfect thing to say. It's actually listening. Ask one real question, then truly pay attention to the answer, and watch their whole face light up.

This Monday episode hands kids three things to try this week: ask an older person one real question and li...

Hey Carpool Crew,

The second a kid messes up, the brain starts building a story to stay out of trouble. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Ephesians 4:25 and reframes honesty for kids. We belong to each other like one family, so telling the truth, even the hard truth, is one of the ways we actually love the people around us. A lie protects you for a minute. The truth protects the people you love for a long time.

This Friday episode hands kids three things to try this week: te...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Twisty stomach, feet that won't move. Every kid knows the feeling of wanting to try something and being scared to. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Isaiah 41:10, where God says I will be with you, I will strengthen you, I will hold on to you. The Bible never tells kids to feel brave out of nowhere. It tells them God is with them, and that's where the brave comes from.

This Thursday episode hands kids three things to try this week: take one small first step to...

Hey Carpool Crew,

The second we do something nice, most of us want a little credit for it. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Luke 6:35 and shows kids a different kind of kindness, the kind that expects nothing back. The good you do when nobody is watching is the good that looks the most like God, and He never misses a single quiet, hidden one.

This Wednesday episode hands kids three things to try this week: do one kind thing they keep totally secret, hand the credit to God instead of waiting for...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Every kid knows the temptation to do a job halfway when nobody's checking. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Colossians 3:23 and flips the whole thing around. The main person your kid is working for isn't a parent, coach, or teacher. It's God, and that changes even the boring stuff into something worth doing all the way.

This Tuesday episode hands kids three things to try this week: pick one job and do every part of it like it's for God, say one short prayer when they want to quit halfway...

Hey Carpool Crew,

The most amazing thing around your kid might be the stuff they walk past every day. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Psalm 19:1 and helps kids see that the sky over their own backyard is bigger than any cathedral people could build. Creation is always announcing how great God is, if we slow down enough to look.

This Monday episode hands kids three things to try this week: find one thing they've never really looked at and thank God for it, stare at the night sky for one full minute...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Freedom Week hits the big question today: why did Jesus have to die? On Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens Romans 5:8 and explains the cross to kids the way they can actually picture it. Every wrong thing we do runs up a bill too big to pay. Jesus stepped in and paid the whole thing Himself, not because anyone made Him, but because He wanted us with Him.

This Friday episode hands kids three things to try this week: say one thank-you sentence to Jesus out loud, stop hiding when you mess...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Freedom Week rolls into day two with the question every kid runs into all summer long: what do I do when nobody's watching? Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin opens 1 Peter 2:16, where Peter says being free was never meant to be a cover-up for doing wrong. Real freedom shows up in the quiet, unsupervised moments, when doing right is completely your own call.

This Thursday episode hands kids three things to try this week: do one right thing on purpose when nobody's watching, pray three quick words when you feel the...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Summer is wide open, and so is the big question every kid eventually asks: if I could do anything I wanted, what would I do? Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin kicks off Freedom Week with Galatians 5:1, where Paul says Christ set us free. Free, it turns out, was never about doing whatever you want. It's about finally being able to do what's right.

This Wednesday episode hands kids three things to try this week: pick one right thing nobody's making you do, pray three quick words when you feel the...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Last day of June. Your kid has spent a month at camp, on the road, with siblings, in cabins, in hotel beds, at grandma's. They are probably running on fumes. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through Isaiah 40:31, the verse with eagle wings in it. The kind that fills a kid up instead of just patching them up. You can't run the second half of summer on yesterday's energy.

This Tuesday episode gives kids three real moves for refilling. The four-word prayer move. The plug-in-first move. The God-not-screens move...

Hey Carpool Crew Parents,

This week is the bridge. June is almost done. July is about to start. Your kid is basically at halftime of summer. Today's episode walks them into the locker room for a quick check-in instead of letting them coast or quit.

Pastor Justin walks through 2 Corinthians 4:16 and gives kids a frame for honestly evaluating June without shame. Whether their first half was great or rough, halftime is not for quitting. It is for refilling. Three small ways to step into the second half on purpose.

About six minutes long...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Night three at camp. The lights are off. Somebody starts ripping on the kid in bunk five for crying earlier. Three kids laugh. Your kid feels a sentence forming. They can join in. They can stay quiet. Or they can say one sentence that shuts it down. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through Romans 12:10, where Paul tells believers in Rome to take the lead in honoring one another. The cabin is the perfect place to learn it.

This Friday episode gives kids three real mo...

Hey Carpool Crew,

The pasta is soft. The mystery casserole is hard to identify. The eggs look kind of green. Your kid sits down to a tray they did not pick, and their face starts to make the face before they can stop it. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through 1 Corinthians 10:31, where Paul ends a long teaching about food with one massive sentence. Whatever you eat. Whatever you drink. Whatever you do. Do it for God. The "whatever" is the part most kids miss.

This Thursday episode gi...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Camp is one of the wildest places on earth for friendship. By day three your kid will probably have an inside joke with somebody who was a stranger 24 hours earlier. But none of it happens unless somebody walks over first. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through Proverbs 18:24 and gives them a vision for being the one who starts the friendship.

This Wednesday episode gives kids three real moves to try at camp. The walk-over-first move. The good-question move. The remember-their-name move. About 5 minutes, kid-friendly, wi...

Hey Carpool Crew,

The high ropes. The lake jump. The mountain bike trail. The horse. The deep end. Camp puts your kid in front of stuff that scares them a little, and they have about ten seconds to decide whether to try it or sit it out. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through Philippians 4:13, the verse Paul wrote from a prison cell. The point most kids miss is that the strength is not yours. It is loaned. God hands it to you in the moment you need it.

This Tuesday episode...

Hey Carpool Crew!

This week we're starting a five-episode journey through the life of Joseph, one of the most surprising heroes in the Bible. In Episode 1, we go back to the beginning. Joseph is seventeen, the favorite son in a complicated family, and God gives him a dream that nobody around him is ready to hear. The reaction is fast and brutal. By the end of Genesis 37, Joseph is sold by his own brothers and headed to Egypt. The dream God gave him is still alive. The people closest to him are not.

F...

Hey Carpool Crew,

The car drove away ten minutes ago. Your kid is standing in a cabin with a hundred other kids they don't know yet. Sunscreen smell. Suitcase wheels rolling. Somebody else got the top bunk. Today's episode kicks off a brand-new Faith at Camp series for the summer drop-off season. Pastor Justin walks kids through Joshua 1:9, the verse God spoke to Joshua right before he led a whole nation into a place he'd never been. The word "wherever" is the part most kids miss. God is already at camp. He beat them there.

...

Hey Carpool Crew,

There is a moment in the middle of almost every summer trip where your kid stops being excited and starts going quiet. The pillow at grandma's smells wrong. The hotel light is too bright. The first day was great, but now they just want their bed. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through Psalm 23:4, where David teaches that God is not just in the green pastures, He is in the valley too. Missing home is not a baby feeling. It is a real one. And God is right there i...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Summer means hotel rooms, vacation cabins, sleepovers at grandma's, bunks at camp. It also means kids lying awake in new beds with the AC clicking and the shadows looking weird. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through Psalm 4:8, where David tells us he could sleep in peace anywhere because God came with him. The God who tucks your kids in at home is the same God in every room they'll ever sleep in.

This Thursday episode gives kids three new-bed moves to try. The verse wh...

Hey Carpool Crew!

Enjoy this bonus episode of questions from the back seat. We do questions in the back seat twice a week, and we do it for subscribers. This one is available to everyone. We hope you consider subscribing and going on and recording your own question to be featured on a future episode.

Want to submit your own question? You can record it or submit it in writing right here. https://carpoolingwithjesus.com/ask

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Hey Carpool Crew,

Summer is packed with stuff worth being thankful for. The lake. The roller coaster. The cousin's wedding. The cabin. The pool. The road trip pit stop with the great milkshake. And almost none of it lands as worship in your kid's heart because nobody taught them to say thank you for it. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through 1 Thessalonians 5:18, where Paul says give thanks in everything. Saying thank you for the trip is what turns a memory into worship.

This Wednesday episode gives kids th...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Summer is the season of changed plans. The closed restaurant. The thunderstorm. The flat tire. The full campground. Every changed plan is a quiet question your kid is being asked: do you trust God with this day, or only the original plan? Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through Proverbs 16:9, where Solomon tells us we plan, but God determines what actually happens. That isn't bad news. That's good news.

This Tuesday episode gives kids three change-of-plan moves they can try this week. The take-a-breath move. The find-the-new-good m...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Summer means long drives. And long drives mean kid meltdowns somewhere around hour three. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin kicks off a brand-new Faith on the Road mini-series. He walks kids through James 1:4, where Scripture says endurance gets built in stuck moments, not easy ones. The back-seat-at-hour-three is one of the easiest places to actually grow it.

This Monday episode gives kids three real moves to try the next long drive. The no-complain hour. The three-things move. The help-your-sibling move. About 5 minutes, kid-friendly, with a discussion qu...

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Hey Carpool Crew!

What should kids do when they're bored during summer break?

In this special bonus episode of What Should I Do If...?, Pastor Justin helps kids discover that boredom isn't an emergency. It's an invitation.

Through biblical wisdom, practical ideas, and the story of David as a young shepherd, kids will learn how God can use even the slowest summer days for creativity, growth, and faith.

In This Episode:

• Why boredom isn't a bad thing

• How screens can sometimes make bore...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Kids hoard. Not in a bad way. It is just where they live. Their stuff is their stuff. The new scooter, the controller, the trading cards. The instinct is to protect it. But when a friend asks to borrow something and the answer is yes, something between those two kids gets bigger. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through Acts 20:35, where Paul quotes Jesus directly. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

This Friday episode gives kids three sharing moves to try this weekend. The instinct yes...

Hey Carpool Crew,

Most kids freeze. Not because they are mean. Because they do not know what to say in the moment when a kid is being made fun of in front of them. So they laugh nervously, put their earbuds in, or look at their phone, and the moment passes. Today on Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin walks kids through Proverbs 31:8, where the Bible says to speak up for those who have no voice. Standing up does not have to be loud. It just has to be honest.

This episode gives kids three real...

Hey Carpool Crew!

Have you ever noticed a kid who always seems to be by themselves?

In today's episode, Pastor Justin explores Romans 15:7 and challenges kids to see people the way Jesus sees them. The Apostle Paul writes, "Welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you." That's a simple verse with a powerful message. Jesus welcomed us before we had everything figured out, and He calls us to do the same for others.

Whether it's a new kid at church, someone standing alone at the park, or a neighbor who hasn't made...

Hey Carpool Crew!

What happens when your best friend moves away?

In today's episode, Pastor Justin talks about one of the hardest parts of growing up: saying goodbye to a close friend. Whether it's a move across town or across the country, it can feel like everything is changing. The plans you made together disappear, and you may wonder if your friendship will ever be the same.

Using Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times," kids will discover that real friendship is about more than living nearby. Long before phones, video calls, and...

Hey Carpool Crew!

What should you do when a new kid shows up this summer?

In today's episode, Pastor Justin shares a powerful lesson from Hebrews 13:2 about hospitality, which is a fancy word for making people feel welcome and helping them belong. Whether it's a new kid at church, summer camp, the neighborhood pool, or riding a bike down your street, God gives us opportunities every day to notice people who might feel left out.

Jesus welcomed people everywhere He went, and He invites us to do the same. Sometimes it only takes...

Hey Carpool Crew!

What happens when there's only one snack left? Maybe it's the last fruit snacks, the final handful of Goldfish crackers, or the last cookie in the package. Do you keep it for yourself, or do you share it with someone else?

In today's episode, Pastor Justin explores a simple but powerful truth from Hebrews 13:16. God cares about the little choices we make every day, especially when those choices involve generosity and putting others first.

Kids will learn that sharing isn't just about snacks. It's about having a heart that looks...

Hey Carpool Crew!

Have you ever had a summer day that started with so much promise, only to end up feeling boring, disappointing, or frustrating? Maybe your friend canceled plans, the pool was closed, or the weather ruined what you wanted to do.

In today's episode, Pastor Justin shares an important lesson from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4. Even while sitting in a prison cell, Paul encouraged believers to rejoice. How could he do that? Because joy is different from happiness.

Kids will discover the difference between happiness and joy, why joy doesn't...

Hey Carpool Crew!

Have you ever noticed your mom or dad doing a hundred things at once around the house? Dinner is cooking, laundry is piling up, the dog needs water, and everyone's stuff seems to be everywhere. The easy thing to do is grab a snack and disappear into your room.

But what if you noticed a need and helped before anyone even asked?

In today's episode, Pastor Justin shares a powerful lesson from the Apostle Paul and Galatians 6:9 about doing good even when no one notices. You'll discover why helping before...

Hey Carpool Crew! Brothers, sisters, and even best friends have a special way of getting on our nerves sometimes. They push our buttons, borrow our stuff, make messes, and occasionally drive us completely crazy. But what if those frustrating moments are actually opportunities to grow closer to Jesus?

In today's episode, Pastor Justin shares a powerful lesson from Ephesians 4:32 and reminds us that one of the hardest places to practice our faith is at home. Whether it's a sibling who won't leave you alone or a friend who keeps making mistakes, Jesus calls us to respond with...

Hey Carpool Crew!

Who was Rahab, and why would God choose her to play such an important role in one of the Bible's most incredible stories?

In Episode 1 of our five-part series on Rahab the Brave Believer, we travel to the ancient city of Jericho, one of the oldest fortified cities in the world. As Joshua prepares the Israelites to enter the Promised Land, two spies are sent into the city and find themselves at the home of an unexpected woman named Rahab.

At first glance, Rahab seems like the last person anyone...

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Summer is finally here! That means pool days, vacations, sleeping in, camp adventures, and lots of fun. But let's be honest, it also means there will be moments when you're bored and not sure what to do next.

In today's episode, Pastor Justin shares a powerful lesson from Colossians 3:23 and reminds us that even our most ordinary moments matter to God. Whether you're helping around the house, writing an encouraging note, or looking for ways to serve your family, Jesus can use even your bor...

Hey Carpool Crew!

Summer is finally here, and today Pastor Justin asks one of the most important questions anyone can ever answer:

Who is Jesus to you?

In this special summer kickoff episode, we look at a moment when Jesus asked His disciples what people were saying about Him. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. Some thought He was a prophet. Others thought He was someone else from the Bible. But Jesus wasn't interested in what everyone else thought.

He asked a personal question:

"Who do you say that...