The Grocery Store Test – October 8, 2025
Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11-12
By his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 2 Thessalonians 1:11b
The Grocery Store Test
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Paige wanted to be good. She really did.
As her mom put her little brother in the grocery cart, Paige promised herself: “I won’t beg for candy. I won’t run down the aisles. I’ll try to be helpful.”
But by aisle four, she was already pouting. Her brother was getting noisy, and Paige’s feet wanted to zoom. She almost grabbed a bag of gummy worms—so tempting!—until she remembered her promise.
Paige stopped, took a deep breath, and whispered, “Jesus, help me be good.”
Somehow, she made it through the store. She even helped load groceries and smiled at the checkout lady.
That night, Paige’s mom tucked her in and said, “You were such a helper today. I saw you trying really hard, and I’m proud of you. Tonight, I’m going to thank Jesus for helping you.”
Paige smiled. She wanted to be good—and she knew God had helped her.
But what about the days that don’t go so well? The times we fight with siblings, talk back to parents, or just forget to do the right thing? That’s when it feels frustrating, because no matter how hard we try, we don’t always get it right. Sin makes us want to hide from God.
But here’s the truth: God doesn’t ask us to do it alone. He invites us to come to him, like Paige did, and ask for help. That’s why the apostle Paul prayed for God’s power to help people carry out the good things they wanted to do.
The desire to do good comes from faith in Jesus. And faith grows when we spend time with him—listening to the Bible, praying, singing, or worshiping. God’s Word teaches us how to be kind, helpful, and generous. And right now, as we’re hearing his Word, God is growing our faith too!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of faith. Help us to love one another even when it is hard, just like you did. Teach us to go to you whenever we need help with our thoughts, words, and behavior. Amen.
The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.
Questions for Younger Children
- Have you ever tried really hard to be good, but just couldn’t do it? What happened?
- What does Jesus say when you fail? (Hint: “I forgive you.”)
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- Have you ever stopped in the middle of something and prayed for help, like Paige did? What happened?
- Where do you get the “power” to make the right choices? (Bible, prayer, Jesus, Holy Spirit, etc.)
Questions for Middle School and Above
- What situations make it especially hard for you to do the right thing? (homework, siblings, friends, sports, etc.)
- Can you think of a Bible story or verse that helps you when you’re tempted? (like Jesus saying, “I am with you always,” or Jesus resisting temptation in the desert)
