The days between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur provide a meaningful opportunity for families to slow down, listen to God, and prepare their hearts together.
Yom Teruah is associated with the sound of trumpets—a call to awaken and pay attention. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, reminds us of our need for forgiveness and points us toward the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.
Ten Days of Returning to God is a simplified children’s devotional designed to help families explore these truths together. Each day includes a short Bible reading, a child-friendly lesson, a discussion question, a simple activity, and a prayer.
Throughout the ten days, children will learn what it means to:
- Listen for God’s direction
- Ask God to search their hearts
- Turn away from wrong choices
- Confess their sins honestly
- Apologize and make things right
- Forgive others
- Show God’s love through kindness
- Draw near to God through Jesus
- Trust in Christ’s sacrifice
- Begin again with God
These lessons are intended to be gentle and hopeful. Children need to understand the seriousness of sin, but they also need to know that they do not have to hide from God. He invites them to come close, tell the truth, and receive His mercy.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
—James 4:8
You can complete each lesson in about 10–15 minutes during breakfast, morning Bible time, homeschool, or before bed. Older children may enjoy keeping a journal, while younger children can respond through drawings and simple crafts.
My hope is that this devotional will help our children see repentance not merely as feeling bad about something they have done, but as turning around and returning to the God who loves them.
May these ten days draw our families closer to God and help us appreciate more deeply the forgiveness, mercy, and new beginning we have through Jesus Christ.
Ten Days of Returning to God
A Children’s Devotional from Yom Teruah to Yom Kippur
Yom Teruah is a special day connected with the sound of trumpets. A trumpet makes a loud sound that gets everyone’s attention. It reminds us to wake up, listen to God, and prepare our hearts.
Ten days later comes Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It reminds us that sin separates people from God—but God made a way for us to be forgiven. As Christians, we know that Jesus gave His life to take away our sins and bring us close to God.
During these ten days, we will ask God to help us listen, repent, forgive, and begin again.
Day 1 — Wake Up and Listen
Read: Leviticus 23:23–25 and Ephesians 5:14
A trumpet is loud! In Bible times, trumpets helped gather people and prepare them for something important.
Yom Teruah reminds us to wake up and pay attention to God. We may not hear an actual trumpet, but God speaks to us through the Bible and the Holy Spirit.
Talk about it: What might distract you from listening to God?
Today’s action: Sit quietly for one minute. Ask God to help you listen to Him.
Prayer:
Dear God, wake up my heart. Help me pay attention to You and obey what You teach me. Amen.
Day 2 — Let God Search Your Heart
Read: Psalm 139:23–24
God knows everything about us. He knows our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. We never need to hide from Him.
We can ask God to show us anything in our hearts that needs to change. He does this because He loves us and wants to lead us in the right way.
Talk about it: Is there something in your heart that you need to tell God?
Today’s action: Draw a heart. Inside it, write or draw something you want God to help you change.
Prayer:
Dear God, You know my whole heart. Please show me what needs to change and help me follow Your ways. Amen.
Day 3 — Turn Around and Return
Read: Joel 2:12–13
Repentance means turning away from sin and returning to God.
Imagine walking down the wrong path. When you realize it, you stop, turn around, and go the right way. That is what repentance is like.
God is always ready to welcome us when we return to Him.
Talk about it: What is one wrong choice you need God’s help to stop making?
Today’s action: Turn around in a circle. As you do, say, “God, help me turn away from sin and return to You.”
Prayer:
Dear God, I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. Help me turn around, make better choices, and walk with You. Amen.
Day 4 — Tell God the Truth
Read: 1 John 1:9
Sometimes we try to hide our mistakes. We may make excuses or blame someone else. Confession means honestly telling God what we have done.
God already knows the truth, but He wants us to talk to Him about it. When we confess our sins, He promises to forgive and cleanse us.
Talk about it: Why can it be difficult to admit when we have done something wrong?
Today’s action: Quietly confess a wrong choice to God. Then thank Him for forgiving you.
Prayer:
Dear God, I am sorry for my sins. Thank You for loving me, forgiving me, and helping me begin again. Amen.
Day 5 — Make Things Right
Read: Matthew 5:23–24
When we hurt someone, saying “I’m sorry” is an important step. Sometimes we also need to repair, replace, or return something.
A true apology does not make excuses. It says, “What I did was wrong. Will you please forgive me?”
Talk about it: Is there someone you need to apologize to?
Today’s action: If you have hurt someone, ask a parent for help making things right.
Prayer:
Dear God, please give me the courage to admit when I am wrong. Help me apologize sincerely and make things right when I can. Amen.
Day 6 — Forgive Others
Read: Colossians 3:12–13
Forgiveness can be hard, especially when someone has hurt our feelings. Forgiving does not mean that the wrong choice was acceptable. It means we give our anger and desire to get even to God.
If someone is hurting or frightening you, tell a trustworthy adult. Forgiveness does not mean keeping harmful behavior secret.
Talk about it: Why should we forgive others?
Today’s action: Think of someone you are upset with. Ask God to help you begin forgiving that person.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for forgiving me. Please help me forgive others and make wise, loving choices. Amen.
Day 7 — Show God’s Love
Read: Micah 6:8
God does not want us merely to talk about loving Him. He wants His love to change the way we live.
We show God’s love when we are honest, merciful, humble, generous, and kind—especially when nobody is watching.
Talk about it: How can you show God’s love to someone today?
Today’s action: Do one kind thing without asking for praise or a reward.
Prayer:
Dear God, help me do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Let others see Your love through me. Amen.
Day 8 — Jesus Brings Us Close
Read: Hebrews 4:14–16
Sin makes us want to hide from God. But Jesus made a way for us to come close to Him.
The Bible calls Jesus our great High Priest. He understands our weaknesses and helps us when we are tempted. Because of Jesus, we can come to God and ask for mercy and help.
Talk about it: What do you need God’s help with today?
Today’s action: Hold out your hands as though you are giving your worry to Jesus. Tell Him what you need.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for helping me come close to God. Please give me mercy, courage, and help today. Amen.
Day 9 — Jesus Paid for Our Sins
Read: Hebrews 10:11–14
In the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered again and again. They helped God’s people understand that sin is serious and that forgiveness is costly.
Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for us. He died for our sins and rose again. We do not have to earn God’s forgiveness. We receive it by trusting in Jesus.
Talk about it: Why did Jesus give His life for us?
Today’s action: Make a cross from two small sticks, craft sticks, or strips of paper. Let it remind you how much Jesus loves you.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me and giving Your life for me. Help me trust You and remember that Your sacrifice is enough. Amen.
Day 10 — A New Beginning
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 12:1–2
Yom Kippur reminds us of our need for forgiveness and cleansing. Because of Jesus, those who belong to Him are made new.
God’s mercy gives us a new beginning. We can leave behind the wrong choices we have confessed and ask the Holy Spirit to help us live differently.
Talk about it: What have you learned during these ten days?
Today’s action: Write or draw one way you would like to grow closer to God. Keep it inside your Bible as a reminder.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for forgiving me and giving me a new beginning through Jesus. Help me love You, obey You, and show Your love to others. Amen.
Our Family Prayer of Dedication
Father, thank You for these ten days of learning to return to You. Thank You for showing us our sins and helping us make things right. Thank You most of all for Jesus, who gave His life so we could be forgiven and brought close to You.
Help our family listen to Your voice, obey Your Word, forgive one another, and show Your love in everything we do. We give our hearts and our home to You again.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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