Ms. Rose and the Faith That Comes Alive
It was Friday morning in Safari Forest, and something very unusual was happening outside Ms. Rose’s little cottage. There were colorful baskets arranged on the grass. A large wooden board stood beside her favorite reading chair. And hanging between two trees was a beautiful banner that read: FAITH IS SOMETHING WE LIVE!
Sophie came bounding around the corner. “OHHHH! I see decorations! Is somebody having a party?”
Timmy hurried behind her. “Did somebody say PARTY? Because I brought snacks!”
Ian adjusted his explorer glasses. “Interesting. Based on the baskets, banner, and carefully arranged learning materials, I believe Ms. Rose has prepared an educational activity.”
Sophie blinked. “Ian, you just made a party sound like homework.”
Bleu fluttered above them, giggling. “Whatever it is, I LOVE the banner!”
Ms. Rose stepped out of her cottage carrying her Bible. “Good morning, Kingdom Kids!”
“GOOD MORNING, MS. ROSE!” everyone shouted.
Ms. Rose smiled. “Today, we’re going to discover something wonderful about walking by faith.”
Timmy raised his trunk. “Is there a treasure hunt?”
“Not exactly.”
“A race?” Sophie asked.
“No.”
“A scientific investigation?” Ian suggested.
Ms. Rose laughed. “Something even better. Today, we’re going to see how God’s Word can become part of the way we live!”
She pointed toward three baskets. The first basket had a picture of an ear. The second had a picture of a heart. The third had a picture of two little footprints.
Sophie tilted her head. “An ear, a heart, and feet? Ms. Rose, are we building a person?” Everyone burst into laughter.
“No, Sophie,” Ms. Rose chuckled. “These pictures will help us remember three important things.”
She walked to the first basket. “First, we HEAR GOD’S WORD.” She opened her Bible. “Romans 10:17 tells us, ‘So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’”
Ian nodded thoughtfully. “So hearing God’s Word is important for growing in faith.”
“Exactly,” Ms. Rose said. “When we listen to Scripture, read it, and learn what God says, we’re filling our hearts and minds with His truth.”
She reached into the first basket and pulled out a little card. On it were the words: GOD’S WORD IS TRUE.
“Now,” Ms. Rose continued, “let’s visit our second basket.” She walked over to the picture of the heart. “Next, we BELIEVE GOD’S TRUTH.”
Bleu fluttered closer. “So we don’t just hear the words. We receive them in our hearts!”
“That’s right,” Ms. Rose replied. “We choose to trust what God says and let His truth shape the way we think.”
Timmy raised his trunk. “Like when I learned that I could take the next step without seeing the whole trail?”
“Exactly, Timmy!”
Ian smiled. “And when I learned I could ask questions and still trust God’s Word!”
Ms. Rose nodded. “Wonderful examples!”
Then she walked to the third basket. “And finally, we PUT GOD’S WORD INTO PRACTICE.”
Sophie bounced forward. “NOW we’re talking! Something to DO!”
Ms. Rose grinned. “I thought you might like this part, Sophie.”
She reached into the basket and pulled out several colorful cards. “Each card describes something that could happen in everyday life. Let’s see how we can use God’s Word to guide our choices.”
Sophie threw one paw into the air. “I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!”
Ian blinked. “Tribute to what?”
“Never mind, Ian. Just give me a card!”
Ms. Rose laughed and handed Sophie the first card. Sophie read aloud: “A friend asks you to leave another child out of a game.”
Sophie immediately crossed her paws. “Nope! Everybody gets to play!”
Ms. Rose smiled. “Wonderful! And what truth from God’s Word helps us make that choice?”
Bleu answered. “Jesus teaches us to love one another!”
“That’s right,” Ms. Rose said. “We hear God’s Word about love, believe that His way is right, and then show that love through our actions.”
Sophie nodded proudly. “Faith in action! And everybody gets to shine!”
Next, Ian selected a card. He adjusted his glasses and read: “You are learning something new, but you don’t understand it yet.”
Ian smiled. “Oh, I am highly qualified to answer this question.”
Timmy giggled. “Here come the calculations!”
Ian continued. “I can ask questions, keep learning, and remember that God has given me a sound mind.”
Ms. Rose nodded. “Very good, Ian. And you can ask God for wisdom, just as James 1:5 teaches us.”
Ian looked delighted. “Excellent! A Scripture-supported learning strategy!” Everyone laughed.
Then Timmy reached for a card. His said: “You know the right thing to do, but it isn’t the easiest choice.”
Timmy thought for a moment. “I can trust God’s Word and take the next right step!”
Ms. Rose smiled. “Beautifully said, Timmy.”
Bleu fluttered down to choose the last card. It read: “Someone is having a difficult day.”
Bleu’s wings lifted. “I can listen, show kindness, pray for them, and share an encouraging word!”
Ms. Rose nodded. “And when we encourage others according to God’s truth, we’re putting His Word into practice.”
The Kingdom Kids gathered around the three baskets. Ian looked from one to the next. “So let me summarize our findings.” He cleared his throat. “Step one: Hear God’s Word.”
Bleu added, “Step two: Believe God’s truth!”
Sophie jumped into the air. “STEP THREE: LIVE IT OUT!”
Timmy raised his trunk. “And don’t forget snacks!”
Ms. Rose laughed so hard she had to sit down. “Oh, Timmy!”
Then she looked lovingly at each of the children. “Kingdom Kids, I want you to remember something very important.” Everyone grew quiet.
“God’s Word is not simply something we hear during Circle Time, church, or family devotions. His Word is truth that teaches us how to live.”
She held up her Bible. “This week we’ve been learning 2 Corinthians 5:7.”
Together, the children said: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Ms. Rose smiled. “And walking means moving forward. Faith isn’t just a wonderful truth we talk about. It’s something we practice as we trust God and follow His Word.”
Sophie looked at the baskets. “So if I hear that God wants me to love others, and I believe that’s right, then I need to actually show love?”
“Exactly,” Ms. Rose replied.
Ian added, “And if God’s Word teaches me to seek wisdom, I should actually ask for wisdom and use it.”
“That’s right.”
Bleu fluttered happily. “And if I learn to encourage others, I should actually encourage somebody!”
Ms. Rose nodded. “Yes!”
Timmy thought for a moment. “Ms. Rose, I think I understand.” He walked over to the banner and read the words aloud: FAITH IS SOMETHING WE LIVE!
“God doesn’t just want me to know the words,” Timmy said. “He wants me to learn what they mean and follow them!”
Ms. Rose’s eyes sparkled. “Timmy, that is a beautiful way to say it.”
Then she invited everyone to stand in a circle. “Let’s make a promise to keep growing in God’s Word.”
She pointed to the first basket. “I HEAR GOD’S WORD!” The children repeated it.
She pointed to the second. “I BELIEVE GOD’S TRUTH!” They repeated it again.
Then she pointed to the third basket. “I PUT GOD’S WORD INTO PRACTICE!”
This time, Sophie shouted so loudly that a little bird flew out of a nearby tree. “WOOOOHOOOO!”
Ian covered one ear. “Sophie, I believe the entire forest heard that.”
Sophie grinned. “GOOD! Maybe they’ll practice it too!” Everyone burst into laughter.
Ms. Rose smiled as she looked at her precious Kingdom Kids. “Remember, children, we don’t grow in faith by trying to impress God or earn His love. We grow as we learn His Word, trust Him, and allow the Holy Spirit to help us live according to His truth.”
Bleu fluttered close. “And Jesus loves us while we’re learning and growing!”
“Yes, He does,” Ms. Rose answered warmly.
Then she pointed once more to the banner. FAITH IS SOMETHING WE LIVE!
And on that beautiful Friday morning, the Kingdom Kids carried home a truth they would remember long after the baskets and decorations were put away: When God’s Word fills our hearts, faith can be seen in the choices we make, the words we speak, and the love we show!