April 2nd, 2016
LESSON 22 | Joy
Bible Basis: Nehemiah 8:13 – 17; Luke 2:1 – 20
Key Verse: John 15:11: “I have told you this so that you will have
the same joy that I have.”
Key Question: What gives us true happiness and contentment in
life?
Key Idea: No matter what happens, I feel happy inside and understand God’s plan for my life.
Resource: Believe Storybook Bible , Chapter 22, “Joy”
Master Supplies List
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Believe Storybook Bible
PowerPoint slides or printable posters of illustrations
Clear plastic cup about half full of water
½ cup vinegar
1 tsp. baking soda
Shallow dish, such as a pie pan
Conductor’s baton (or similar object, such as a dowel)
Family Page (one per child)
Optional Supplies
You will need the following supplies based on which option(s) you
choose in STEP 3 | Explore More:
❑ OPTION 1: Picturing JOY template, white card stock, scissors,
markers
❑ OPTION 3: Two hula hoops; marker; Joy, Happiness, Both templates; Sentence Strips template
❑ OPTION 4: Crayons or markers, Let’s Color! sheet (one per child)
❑ OPTION 6: Two puppets
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STEP 1 | Come Together (10 min)
Supplies: Clear plastic cup about half full of water; ½ cup vinegar; 1 tsp.
baking soda; shallow dish, such as a pie pan
UNHAPPINESS
• GATHER the children.
• SHOW the children the cup of water.
• SAY, Even though we have all sinned, we have also been washed clean
by believing in Jesus.
• CONTINUE, However, we still face troubles in our lives that can give
us a sour feeling.
• ALLOW the children to smell the sour vinegar by wafting it toward
them. (Don’t let them sniff from the container.)
• POUR the ½ cup of vinegar into the cup with the water.
OVERFLOWING JOY
• SAY, Even though we don’t always feel happy, we can still have joy.
• SHOW the children the baking soda.
• SAY, Because of the power of God’s Holy Spirit, we can overflow with
joy no matter what is happening in our lives.
• SPRINKLE the baking soda into the cup with the water and vinegar
mixture. It will bubble up and overflow. (Make sure the cup is sitting in
a shallow dish to catch the overflow.)
REVIEW
• SAY, Though sometimes we feel happy and sometimes we feel unhappy
or sad, we can always be filled to overflowing with God’s joy. And this
truth is bigger than just what we feel. It is a sense of joy because of the
great love and security God gives us despite the hard things happening
in our lives.
KEY VERSE
• REVIEW this week’s Key Verse. You may want to repeat the verse
slowly a few times until the children are able to say it from memory.
• NOTE: You may also choose to review last week’s Key Verse together.
John 15:11
I have told you this
(point outward with index finger)
so that you will have the same joy (point to corners of smile with two
that I have.
index fingers)
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY
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STEP 2 | Hear the Story (10 min)
Supplies: Believe Storybook Bible, PowerPoint slides or printable posters
of illustrations, conductor’s baton (or similar object)
INTRODUCTION
• TELL the children that they will be learning about how God brought
joy to his people.
• ASK the children to sing the first four words of the popular Christmas
carol “Joy to the World” as you conduct them. Make a clear signal to cut
them off after just these four short words.
• SAY, As we read today’s chapter, I want you to be ready to sing that
little bit of the song whenever I raise my baton.
READ CHAPTER 22
• READ aloud chapter 22, “Joy,” from the Believe Storybook Bible.
• SHOW the illustrations included with this curriculum on PowerPoint
slides or printable posters.
• RAISE your baton to conduct the children in singing “Joy to the World”
(just those four words) after you read each section within the chapter.
REVIEW EZRA
• ASK, Why did the Israelites have joy? (God freed them from slavery
and took care of them in the wilderness; the temple had been rebuilt)
• ASK, How did Ezra and the teachers and leaders help the Israelites
celebrate their joy? (Ezra praised God; Ezra read from the Book of the
Law; the leaders explained the meaning; the leaders told them to celebrate; the teachers told them to build huts)
• ASK, Which of these things do we still do today? (Read God’s Word;
eat and share together; praise God; feel joy)
REVIEW ANGELS VISIT SHEPHERDS
• ASK, Why was the birth of Jesus such a joyful event? (Because he is the
Savior of the world; because his birth made a way for our sins to be paid
for)
• ASK, Why can we have joy today? (God loves us; he’s with us every day;
he has a plan for us; we can count on God)
• PRAY, Thank you, God, for being caring and loving. We are grateful
that you take care of us and give us lasting joy. Amen.
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY
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STEP 3 | Explore More
Choose from these activity options, depending on your available time frame,
to help the children explore the lesson further.
Option 1: Picturing JOY (20 min)
Supplies: Picturing Joy template, white card stock, scissors, markers
Teacher Prep: Print and photocopy the Picturing Joy template onto white
card stock, then cut out each 5” x 7” rectangle (one per child).
• SAY, God gives us many gifts that can be a lasting source of joy.
• GIVE each child a piece of card stock with the word JOY on it.
• SHOW the children how to cut out the center of the letter O by folding
the paper (rather than stabbing scissors through it).
• ALLOW the children to decorate the paper as desired, possibly using
the Key Verse or words and phrases about things that bring them joy.
• TELL the children that the paper will fit inside a 5” x 7” picture frame.
• ENCOURAGE them to put a photo of something that brings them joy
inside the cutout and to display it at home as a reminder of the gifts that
God provides.
Option 2: Spread the Joy (15 min)
Teacher Prep: This game is similar to “Sharks and Minnows” and requires
an open area, such as a gym or field.
• SET up a rectangular play area using court or field lines or cones.
• CHOOSE two children to start as “Joyful” players and have them stand
at one end of the play area.
• LINE up the other children at the opposite end. These are the
“Unhappy” players.
• YELL, “Spread the Joy!” to signal the “Unhappy” players to run toward
the opposite end of the play area. The “Joyful” players will try to tag the
other children as they run to the other end of the play area. Anyone they
tag becomes a “Joyful” player and joins them for the next round.
• CONTINUE to play until all but two children are “Joyful.” Those two
will start the next game as the “Joyful” players while the rest of the
group starts over on the “Unhappy” side.
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY
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Option 3: Joy/Happiness Sort (15 min)
Supplies: Two hula hoops; marker; Joy, Happiness, Both templates; Sentence Strips template
Teacher Prep: Print the Joy, Happiness, Both templates and the Sentence
Strips template. Cut apart the Sentence Strips template. Shuffle the strips.
• LAY the two hula hoops on the floor so they overlap, forming a Venn
diagram.
• PLACE the labels “Joy,” “Happiness,” and “Both” above them. (“Both” is
where the two overlap.)
• HOLD the sentence strips in your hand.
• ASK one child at a time to pick a sentence strip from your hand and
read it aloud. Discuss the sentence with the children.
• ASK the children to place each statement in the hula hoops under the
correct heading.
• ASK the children if they have any other ideas to add. Write the ideas on
the blank sentence strips and place them under the correct headings.
• DISCUSS how happiness is not a permanent feeling, but joy is
everlasting.
• SAY, Both joy and happiness can be gifts from God, but joy is a promise
from God even when things in our lives are hard.
Option 4: Let’s Color! (10 min)
Supplies: Crayons or markers, Let’s Color! sheet (one per child)
Teacher Prep: Print and photocopy the Let’s Color! sheet (one per child).
• GIVE each child a Let’s Color! sheet.
• PROVIDE a selection of crayons and/or markers for the children to
share.
• DISCUSS this week’s Key Idea as the children color.
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY
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Option 5: Praise and Worship (15 min)
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” by Bob Singleton
© 2002 by Agnes Day Music (admin. by Singleton Productions, Inc.)
CCLI #4596811
“Joy to the World” by Carol Tornquist, George Frideric Handel, Isaac Watts
© 2008 by Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI #3013443
Option 6: Act It Out (10 min)
Joy Is . . .
Teacher Prep: Use two puppets to act out the following short skit. Make a
copy of the script and request a child volunteer to read the part of Dana.
Characters
Carol
Dana
Daniel
Props: Two puppets and a child volunteer or helper
Carol: Hey, friend. Why do you look so sad?
Dana: It’s raining and I was supposed to have a soccer game today.
Carol: Oh, that’s too bad.
Dana: I hate the rain! (pouting) Why can’t it just go away?
Carol: I know how you feel! Stuck inside. No soccer game.
Daniel: (comes in dancing wildly and singing) I’ve got this joy, joy, joy, joy
down in my heart, down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart!
Where? Down in my heart! That’s where!
DANIEL high-fives CAROL and DANA. DANA reluctantly high-fives DANIEL and then returns to crossing her arms and pouting.
Carol: (to DANIEL) Teach me that song!
CAROL and DANIEL banter back and forth, singing off-key and dancing around
DANA, who is still pouting.
Daniel: (referring to DANA) What’s her problem?
Carol: Oh, her soccer game got canceled because of the rain.
Daniel: So her day is ruined? Your day is ruined, Dana?
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DANA nods her head.
Daniel: Can I share something with you? You see (starting to sing and dance
goofily), I got this joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart . . . And you know
what else? God’s joy never ends — it lasts forever! It doesn’t matter
what’s going on around you, good or bad. Even when you’re sad about
your game getting canceled, you can still have joy.
Carol: Joy is God’s gift to us. Remember the story about when Jesus was
born? The angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy.”
Daniel: And when the Israelites had a big party after returning to Jerusalem
and rebuilding the temple, what did they feel? Joy!
Carol: And remember Paul and Silas singing even when they were locked up
in jail? Why’d they do that?
Daniel: Because they had that joy, joy, joy, joy down in their hearts!
Carol: Where?
Daniel: Down in their hearts!
Carol and Dana: Where?
Carol, Dana, and Daniel: Down in their hearts!
DANIEL, CAROL, and DANA sing the song in unison and dance off stage.
STEP 4 | Going Home (5 min)
Supplies: Family Page (one per child)
Teacher Prep: Print and photocopy the Family Page (one per child).
• GIVE each child a copy of this week’s Family Page.
• SAY, Give this page to your family when they pick you up. It will
remind you to tell your family what you learned today about the joy we
have when we believe in Jesus.
• HAVE the children practice telling you about how joy is different from
happiness.
• REVIEW this week’s Key Verse as well as today’s story and Key Idea
from the Believe Storybook Bible as you wait for the children to get picked
up.
• MAKE sure each child remembers to take home any activity sheets or
craft projects and the Family Page.
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY
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Lesson 22
Lesson 22
Lesson 22
Lesson 22
Lesson 22
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY | Picturing Joy Template
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JOY
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY | Joy Template
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HAPPINESS
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY | Happiness Template
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BOTH
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY | Both Template
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Comes from within
Comes from outside influences
Based on a decision
Based on events
Is everlasting, even in hard times
A feeling that is not permanent
Can be found in Christ
Can be found in objects or experiences
Is a good feeling
Makes you smile
Can be shared with others
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY | Sentence Strips Template
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Let’s Color! Name:
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY
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FAMILY PAGE | Lesson 22: Joy
Bible Basis: Nehemiah 8:13 – 17; Luke 2:1 – 20
Key Verse: John 15:11: “I have told you this so that you will have
the same joy that I have.”
Key Question: What gives us true happiness and contentment in
life?
Key Idea: No matter what happens, I feel happy inside and understand God’s plan for my life.
Resource: Believe Storybook Bible , Chapter 22, “Joy”
How to Use This Page
This week, your family can either read the story from the Believe Storybook Bible
or read the Bible Basis passages from your Bible to help your child remember
the lesson. Use the Table Talk questions below to start a discussion around the
dinner table, while driving in the car, or just about anywhere. The Living Faith
activity is designed to remind your child of the Bible lesson through a drama
or other engaging activity. The Extra Mile idea provides interactive ways for
your child to connect with the story.
Table Talk
1. What are some things that bring you happiness? How can you still be
joyful when you don’t have those things?
2. What is something that makes you sad? Can you feel joy even in times
of sadness?
3. What has God done for you that brings you joy?
4. How can you share your joy with others? Is it easy or hard to spread
joy to others?
Living Faith
Option 1
Have your child take on the role of Ezra, reading God’s Word to the Israelites.
Use a bathrobe or similar article as a costume. Create a scroll from two paper
towel tubes and some paper. Though Ezra read from the first five books of the
Bible, try reading Psalm 100 — a short, readable passage that’s all about joy!
Practice the reading a few times with your child. Then let your child stand on
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a platform (maybe the steps to your house or a sturdy coffee table) and proclaim
God’s Word!
Option 2
Read Psalm 100 each day this week as a family. It could be at a family meal or
even in the car. Take turns each day reading the psalm. After it is read, have
each family member tell about something that brought them joy that day.
Extra Mile
• Pull out an old toy, game, or piece of clothing that used to be your
child’s favorite but has been forgotten. Talk about how your child
obtained it, the feelings associated with it, how it was used, and how it
came to be forgotten. Use this experience to teach about the difference
between material happiness and lasting joy.
• During prayer, remind your child that although we sometimes feel sadness and pain, the joy that God gives us lasts forever. Read some of the
Bible’s descriptions of heaven with your children. See Revelation 21:1 – 5
and Isaiah 65:17 – 25.
• Look through family photos together and reminisce with your child
over happy times your family has shared. Be sure to include pictures of
when they were born and tell them what a joyful event this was for your
family. If an unhappy image, such as a broken arm, crops up, look for
ways to be joyful, such as appreciating how well it has healed.
• Celebrate the joy of Jesus’ birth all year round. If you have a childfriendly nativity set, don’t pack it away with the Christmas decorations.
Let it become part of your child’s regular playthings. An ornament with
the word Joy can be a reminder for the whole family when it hangs from
a cabinet knob or in a window. An angel proclaiming “The Savior Is
Born” can be part of your regular decor.
LESSON 22: Joy | EARLY ELEMENTARY
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