Snacks & Salvation

Kids Bible Devotional for September 3, 2026

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Focus Verse

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (NLT)

Jump Start

Pull up a chair. There’s plenty of room at God’s table.

Jesus ate with sinners. We’ve likely heard this said many times about Jesus. In fact, in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus was said to have eaten with tax collectors and sinners…a practice that was frowned upon by religious leaders at the time. So, why did Jesus do it?

In ancient customs during Jesus’s day, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and acceptance. Jesus sharing a meal with these outcasts was not His condoning any of their sinful practices. Rather, He was showing grace. He said that He didn’t come to the world to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

Our story today shows how a Christian girl rejected outward appearances, and instead forged friendships with a group of nonbelievers.  

Today's Devotion

Samantha was anxious about the first day at her new school. She and her family had just moved into town where she did not know anyone.

Her mother pulled her car along the curb in front of the school. “You sure you don’t want me to walk you in?” she asked.

“That’s okay,” Samantha replied. “I don’t want to stand out any more than I already do.”

Samantha slid out of the car. She hung out under a large oak tree near the entrance door and fumbled inside her backpack for a printout of her class schedule.

The doors flew open and the students strolled toward the entrance. Head down, she merged with the chattering traffic.

She got within a few feet of the office when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and came face to face with a girl dressed in tattered jeans, scuffed combat boots, and a pink graphic t-shirt emblazoned with a heavy-metal band. Beside her stood two other girls similarly dressed.

Samantha stood frozen, her eyes darting for the presence of a teacher in case things turned south.

“You must be new,” the girl in combat boots said. “You look lost. What’s your first class?”

She stared down at the paper clutched in her damp hands. “Math, with Ms. Richards, I think.”

“It’s your lucky day. We’ve got the same class. This way, newbie.” The girl motioned for Samantha to follow. “By the way, I’m Carrie, and this is Tabitha and Gina.” The other girls waved.

Samantha introduced herself, somewhat surprised by the friendly exchange from someone who gave off such scary vibes.

“What brings you to our boring little town, Sam?” Carrie asked.

“My dad is the new pastor of Calvary Tabernacle.”

“That church on Nichols Street?”

Samantha nodded.

Carrie glanced at Gina and grinned. Carrie’s friends covered their mouths and snickered. A knot formed in Samantha’s stomach.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“Oh, nothing,” Carrie said. “I just heard they can get a little rowdy at times.”

“You’ve been there?”

“Well, no,” Carrie said. “Let’s just say my mom does not like Christians very much.”

By sixth period, Samantha had become friends with Carrie, Gina, and Tabitha. After school, Samantha walked out to the parking lot with her new friends.

“So, do you Christians do anything for fun?” Carrie asked.

“What do you mean?” Samantha replied, confused by her question.

“We’re going over to old Patterson’s store to grab something to eat.” Carrie made air quotes when she said “grab.” “The old man is blind and stupid. We’re always taking snacks and drinks right underneath his nose.”

That uneasy feeling returned to the pit of Samantha’s stomach. “How is stealing fun?”

“We get stuff for free, duh!” Carrie retorted. Samantha nodded in the direction of the maroon SUV that pulled up alongside the curb. “That’s my mom.”

When Samantha got to the car, she called back to the girls. “Hey, you wanna come to my house? Food’s free there, too.”

Carrie looked at Gina and Tabitha. She shrugged. “Why not?” Carrie glanced toward Samantha’s mother behind the wheel of the car. “I mean, if it’s okay with your folks and all.”

“Mom says it’s okay,” Samantha said. “That is, if you think you can handle what a Christian does for fun.” Carrie and her friends burst into giggles before crowding into the back seat of the SUV.

Wrap Up

You should never judge people by their appearances alone. While you do need to be careful with whom you make friends…friends do influence the choices you make…just know that you may be the only example of Jesus some have.

Proverbs 27:17 says a friend sharpens a friend. Demonstrate to your unbelieving friends how a Christian should act and love. Your example and witness could be what they need in order to refine their own mindset about Jesus.