Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem
Hi kids! In The Salvation Army, you might have noticed that we have many different names for churches. Some are called temples, such as Oshawa Temple in Ontario. Others are called citadels, such as St. John’s Citadel in Newfoundland and Labrador. Some are simply called corps, such as Moose Jaw Corps in Saskatchewan. What kind of “church” do you attend? I love going to church every Sunday and I hope you do, too. When Jesus was growing up, He went to the temple with His parents. His example shows us that worshipping God is very important.
Your friend, Abby
Connect the Dots
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very year, Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. When He was 12 years old, they went to the temple as usual. After the feast was over, His parents left to return home. Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were not aware of it. They thought He was somewhere in their group. So they travelled on for a day. ISSU
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Then they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends. They did not find Him, so they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him. After three days, they found Him in the temple courtyard, sitting with the teachers. Then He went back to Nazareth with His parents and obeyed them. Jesus became wiser and stronger. He also became more and more pleasing to God and to people. Read the whole story in your Bible in Luke 2:41-52. Adapted from Boring Bible, Super Son by Andy Robb. Used with
permission.
Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X
1-01/03/26
Happy New Year!
It’s the start of a new year, and for many people it’s the perfect time to look back on all the best memories from 2025 and set goals for 2026. What are your goals this year? This year, my goal is to …
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Match each mitten to its pair.
Jesus Teaches in the Temple
How do you like to pray? It isn’t a trick question—there is no right or wrong way to pray. You can pray however you want to and in any way that makes you feel close to God. I like to pray before bed, when I can reflect on my day and talk to God without any distractions. I also like to pray on long walks, during church or in the morning while I have my breakfast. You can talk to God anywhere and at any time. He is always with you and will hear your prayers.
Reading the Bible
Hi kids!
In the Bible, Jesus taught His disciples a special prayer that they can use called the Lord’s Prayer. Read this issue of Just for Kids to learn what it means.
Your friend, Abby
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Which two are identical?
Help the kids get to church.
Jesus Teaches About Prayer Luke 11:1-4
One day, Jesus was praying. When He was finished, one of His followers, called a disciple, spoke to Him. “Lord,” he said. “Teach us how to pray.” Jesus said to His disciples, “When you pray, this is what you should say: Father, may Your name be honoured. May Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us. Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted.”
What does the Lord’s Prayer mean? The Lord’s Prayer is a common prayer that many Christians say. It gives us some simple instructions:
2-01/10/26 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X
Find 8 Differences
• Honour God • Ask for forgiveness • Forgive others
• Trust in God • Avoid being tempted to do wrong things
Lord’s Prayer Word Search W Y R L B Y E B I B S A S E L R Y Z P B O R F I H C E F R V S P A P N T F A U F O D B I B G A T D O K I N G D O M F A R D E T P M E T S G G P W K Q P H I N C I K M N H U N J F G V X N B E S E B L I E BREAD
KINGDOM
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FATHER
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FORGIVE
TEMPTED
Hi kids!
I Spy
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Would you want to time travel, run fast, heal people or be invisible? Some superheroes, like Superman or the Hulk, have superpowers that make them strong enough to lift cars, trains and airplanes. That would be so cool!
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I used to think that being strong meant that I had to be able to lift heavy things or run faster than my friends. But it turns out that my greatest superpower is Jesus—He makes me strong. And although I might not be able to travel through time or lift an airplane with one arm like characters in comic books, I know that because I believe in Jesus, I can be strong, confident, kind and brave. And you can, too!
Find 5 Differences
Your friend, Abby
Tic TacToe
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How many of each superhero character can you find?
The Wise and Foolish Builders
What Is a “Parable?”
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In the Bible, a parable is a story that Jesus used to teach people about God, life or how they should treat others. He used everyday things, such as seeds, sheep or families, to help us understand and remember important messages.
esus taught a lot of important lessons during His time on earth. He often told stories, called parables, that would help people understand who God is. One day, He told a parable about two men who decided to build houses.
Matthew 7:24-27
Colour Me
The first man was wise. He built his house on solid rock. It was hard work, but when it was windy or rainy, his house stayed strong because it had a good foundation. The second man was foolish. He built his house on sand because it was easy and quick. But when it started to rain, his house fell with a big crash! Jesus said, “Everyone who hears My words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” He meant that anyone who listens to Jesus and does what He says will be strong, but if we ignore Him, we will be weak, just like the house on the sand.
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Wise and Foolish Word Search
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BUILDER
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K A E W S U O A A W
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© 1997 Gospel Light. Bible Story Coloring Pages. Permission to photocopy granted.
3-01/17/26 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X
5 Differences
Match each soup ingredient to the correct shadow.
ave e they h Becaus patients a lot of
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Hi kids! When was the last time you had to stay home from school because you were sick? It’s no fun to be sick, stuck in bed coughing and sneezing instead of seeing your friends at school. When I’m feeling under the weather, a hot bowl of soup and a visit to the doctor makes me feel better. It makes sense to go to the doctor when we’re sick. We know they can help us heal. In the same way, people who are hurting or who have sinned can go to Jesus, and He will heal them. Read this issue of Just for Kids to learn about Matthew, a man who was disliked for the bad things he did to others. What do you think Jesus did when He met Matthew?
Your friend, Abby
Complete the picture.
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Tic Tac Toe
Reprinted from Kids Alive! Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X
4-01/24/26
Jesus Loves Everyone Matthew 9:9-13
Help the ambulance get to the hospital.
Hi kids!
What’s Happening, Canada and Bermuda?
Did you know that you can talk to God whenever you want? Whether you’re in the car on the way to school, eating lunch with friends or helping clean up after dinner, God is always there and can hear your prayers. I like praying at night before bed. It is quiet and peaceful, with no distractions. I can reflect on the day, thanking God for all the good things that happened and asking Him to help me overcome the hard things. In the Bible, we read about a man named Nicodemus who stayed up late one night to talk to Jesus and ask Him a question. He wanted to know how to become a follower of God. Keep reading this issue of Just for Kids to learn how Jesus responded. What is one question you want to ask God? Try talking to Him tonight before you go to sleep!
Your friend, Abby
Find
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BISHOP’S FALLS, N.L.—Congratulations to Abigail Arnold and Rhylie Arnold, the newest junior soldiers at Bishop’s Falls Corps. They are proud to hold up their Junior Soldier’s Promise! Great job.
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Talking to God
Help the sheep go to sleep.
Nicodemus Meets With Jesus
God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Anyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world. He sent His Son to save the world through Him. —John 3:16-17 5-01/31/26
Reprinted from Kids Alive!
Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X
What does this mean? It’s no secret that God loves us. In fact, He loves us so much that He put Jesus on earth to save us and teach the world about the goodness of God. Believing in God means that we have a special place in heaven by His side.