Day 1
Faith Fact:
We believe that... Joy comes from trusting God.
Faith Verse
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
This month, we are continuing to learn about the Fruit of the Spirit. How many of the Fruit of the Spirit can you name from last month? (Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control)
Let’s read Galatians 5:22-23 to see if we remembered the entire list. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
This week, we are going to talk about joy. What do you think joy is? (Give the kids an opportunity to share what they think joy is.) Are joy and happiness the same thing?
Happiness 😊:
-Comes from things happening around us (like getting a new toy, eating ice cream, or playing with friends).
-Can change quickly—we feel happy when things are good but sad when things go wrong.
-Is based on our feelings and what’s happening at the moment.
Joy 😃:
-Comes from God and His love for us, not just from good things happening.
-Stays with us even when things are hard because we trust God.
-Is a deep contentment in our hearts that doesn’t go away, even if we’re having a tough day.
Happiness isn’t a fruit of the Spirit, but joy is! Joy comes from God and helps us to make it through bad (and good) days. How do you think we can have more joy in our lives? (Allow kids to give their ideas.)
We believe that... Joy comes from trusting God.
Faith Verse
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
This month, we are continuing to learn about the Fruit of the Spirit. How many of the Fruit of the Spirit can you name from last month? (Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control)
Let’s read Galatians 5:22-23 to see if we remembered the entire list. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
This week, we are going to talk about joy. What do you think joy is? (Give the kids an opportunity to share what they think joy is.) Are joy and happiness the same thing?
Happiness 😊:
-Comes from things happening around us (like getting a new toy, eating ice cream, or playing with friends).
-Can change quickly—we feel happy when things are good but sad when things go wrong.
-Is based on our feelings and what’s happening at the moment.
Joy 😃:
-Comes from God and His love for us, not just from good things happening.
-Stays with us even when things are hard because we trust God.
-Is a deep contentment in our hearts that doesn’t go away, even if we’re having a tough day.
Happiness isn’t a fruit of the Spirit, but joy is! Joy comes from God and helps us to make it through bad (and good) days. How do you think we can have more joy in our lives? (Allow kids to give their ideas.)
Day 2
Faith Fact:
We believe that... Joy comes from trusting God.
Faith Verse
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Trusting God – When we trust God, we know that He will take care of us no matter what!! How do you think that trusting God can give us more joy? As we trust God, we know that He is going to take care of us on easy and hard days!
Read Romans 15:13. When does this verse say that God will fill us with His joy and peace? (As we trust in Him.) Trusting God is knowing that He loves us and will work everything in our lives out for our good, because that’s what He promises in Romans 8:28.
We believe that... Joy comes from trusting God.
Faith Verse
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Trusting God – When we trust God, we know that He will take care of us no matter what!! How do you think that trusting God can give us more joy? As we trust God, we know that He is going to take care of us on easy and hard days!
Read Romans 15:13. When does this verse say that God will fill us with His joy and peace? (As we trust in Him.) Trusting God is knowing that He loves us and will work everything in our lives out for our good, because that’s what He promises in Romans 8:28.
Day 3
Faith Fact:
We believe that... Joy comes from trusting God.
Faith Verse
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Being Thankful – Focusing on the good things God has given us. Why do you think being thankful helps us to have more joy?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. When we give thanks for all of the things that God has given us, we become more joyful. We see how God has helped us and taken care of us. What do you have to be thankful for today? As a group, let’s see if we can list ten things that God has done for us. (Make sure that all of the kids have a chance to name at least one thing/person.) Each day, we can thank God for so many things, and that helps to build our joy!
We believe that... Joy comes from trusting God.
Faith Verse
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Being Thankful – Focusing on the good things God has given us. Why do you think being thankful helps us to have more joy?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. When we give thanks for all of the things that God has given us, we become more joyful. We see how God has helped us and taken care of us. What do you have to be thankful for today? As a group, let’s see if we can list ten things that God has done for us. (Make sure that all of the kids have a chance to name at least one thing/person.) Each day, we can thank God for so many things, and that helps to build our joy!
Day 4
Faith Fact:
We believe that... Joy comes from trusting God.
Faith Verse
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Praying and Worshipping – Spending time with God fills us with His joy! Read Psalm 100. (There are five verses in this chapter, so see if several kids will help read this chapter.)
Have you ever come to church in a really bad mood, but then you start to cheer up during fast or slow worship? That’s God filling you with His joy! No matter where we are, spending time with God will fill us with His joy. Let’s look at Psalm 16:11. Where does it say that we will be filled with joy? (In God’s presence.) Spending time in prayer and worship everyday is an important part of letting the Holy Spirit produce joy in our lives? How can we make sure that we are spending time with God everyday?
Joy is more than just a feeling—it’s a gift from God that helps us stay strong and hopeful every day! As we go through our week, let’s remember that we can trust God with all of our lives and that we have so many reasons to be thankful for Him and who He is!!
We believe that... Joy comes from trusting God.
Faith Verse
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Praying and Worshipping – Spending time with God fills us with His joy! Read Psalm 100. (There are five verses in this chapter, so see if several kids will help read this chapter.)
Have you ever come to church in a really bad mood, but then you start to cheer up during fast or slow worship? That’s God filling you with His joy! No matter where we are, spending time with God will fill us with His joy. Let’s look at Psalm 16:11. Where does it say that we will be filled with joy? (In God’s presence.) Spending time in prayer and worship everyday is an important part of letting the Holy Spirit produce joy in our lives? How can we make sure that we are spending time with God everyday?
Joy is more than just a feeling—it’s a gift from God that helps us stay strong and hopeful every day! As we go through our week, let’s remember that we can trust God with all of our lives and that we have so many reasons to be thankful for Him and who He is!!