Principle
Lessons on Joy
Our joy comes from God, not from how things are going.
10 lessons
God Made Sarah Laugh: Isaac Is BornGenesis 18:1-15; Genesis 21:1-7One hot day, three visitors came to Abraham's tent. One of them was the LORD. He said that in a year, Sarah would have a son. Sarah was about ninety years old, and she laughed to herself. "Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" God asked. A year later, Isaac was born, just as God promised. His name means "he laughs." Sarah said, "God has made me laugh!" God keeps His promises, and He fills His people with joy.Old TestamentJoy
The Joy of the LORD: Ezra Reads God’s WordNehemiah 8:1-18After God's people came home from exile and rebuilt Jerusalem's wall, they all gathered in the square by the Water Gate. They asked Ezra to bring the Book of the Law of Moses. Ezra read God's Word aloud from early morning until noon, and the Levites helped everyone understand it. When the people heard it, they wept. But the leaders said, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." The people went home to eat, drink and share food with those who had nothing, and they celebrated with great joy because they understood God's Word.Old TestamentJoy
With Building BricksJesus Is Alive: JoyMatthew 28:1-10; John 16:22; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4Jesus died on the cross, and His body was put in a tomb cut into rock. A huge stone was rolled in front of it. Early on Sunday morning, two women named Mary went to the tomb. Suddenly the ground shook! An angel rolled the stone away and sat on it. He said, "Don't be afraid. Jesus is not here. He has risen, just as He said! Come and see." The women ran with great joy to tell the disciples, and on the way, Jesus met them! Joy is the deep gladness God gives, because Jesus is alive and nothing can take Him away from us.New TestamentJoy
Jesus the KingJesus Is BornLuke 2:1-20; Micah 5:2In Bethlehem, God's Son was born as a baby and laid in a manger, and angels told shepherds the good news of great joy that a Savior was born.New TestamentJoy
Found! The Lost Sheep and the Lost CoinLuke 15:1-10Tax collectors and sinners came to listen to Jesus, and the Pharisees grumbled, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus told two stories. A shepherd with a hundred sheep lost one, so he left the ninety-nine and searched until he found it. Then he carried it home on his shoulders with joy. A woman with ten silver coins lost one, so she lit a lamp, swept the house and searched until she found it. Both said, "Rejoice with me!" There is joy in heaven when one lost person turns back to God.New TestamentJoy
The Church BeginsThe Holy Spirit ComesActs 2:1-47; Genesis 11:1-9On Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit like a rushing wind and tongues of fire. The disciples told about Jesus in many languages, Peter preached, and 3,000 people believed. The church was born with great joy.New TestamentFreeJoy
The Church BeginsPhilip and the EthiopianActs 8:26-40; Isaiah 53:7-8God sent Philip to a desert road to meet an important man from Ethiopia who was reading the Bible. Philip told him the good news about Jesus, the man was baptized, and he went home full of joy.New TestamentJoy
The Church BeginsPaul and Silas Sing in JailActs 16:16-34; Philippians 4:4Paul and Silas were hurt and locked in jail for telling about Jesus. At midnight they prayed and sang to God. An earthquake opened the doors, and the jailer and his family believed in Jesus and were filled with joy.New TestamentJoy
Fruit of the SpiritFruit of the Spirit: JoyPhilippians 1:12-14; Philippians 4:4-13; Philippians 4:22; Acts 28:16, 30-31Paul wrote a letter full of joy while he was chained to a Roman soldier. His chains even helped the good news spread through the palace guard and into Caesar's household. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. It doesn't come from how things are going. It comes from Jesus, who is with us and always at work.New TestamentJoy
With MusicWorthy Is the Lamb: A New Song in HeavenRevelation 5:1-14; Revelation 7:9-10; Psalm 96:1God showed John a vision of heaven. No one was worthy to open God's scroll, until Jesus, the Lamb who died and rose, stepped forward. Then all of heaven sang a new song, and people from every nation praised Him. Because Jesus won, we can sing with joy too!New TestamentJoy