Series Overview
Choose joy! This may be a commonly used phrase you’ve heard, but what does it actually mean? Joy is more than being excited about the good things that happen to us. Joy is an attitude—a decision to trust God no matter what is going on in our lives. From the very beginning, God had a plan for the world. As we dive into the Bible, we’ll discover God’s plan for us and how God has been at work through it all. When we see and celebrate what God is doing, we can find true joy!
Memory Verse
“Always be joyful because you belong to the lord. I will say it again. Be joyful!” – Philippians 4:4, NIRV
Week One (July 7)
Shepherds + Angels
Bible Story: Luke 2:8-20
Key Question: Who do you know who could use some joy?
Virtue: Joy – Choosing to celebrate what God is doing
We start the month in Luke 2:8-20. While shepherds were watching over their flock, an angel suddenly appeared, bringing great news: Jesus was born! The shepherds rushed off to see Him, telling everyone about Him afterward. Everyone who heard the news was amazed and filled with joy!
When you think of summer, maybe you think of ice cream, pool parties, sunshine, and friendships, and it leaves you feeling joyful inside. However, not everyone may feel this way. As preteens think through this question, we hope it gives them a baseline to have meaningful conversations with one another and share the joy that they have.
Week Two (July 14)
Wedding at Cana
Bible Story: John 2:1-11
Key Question: Who are the people who help you find joy?
Virtue: Joy – Choosing to celebrate what God is doing
In Week 2, we see Jesus’ first recorded miracle found in John 2:1-11. Everyone was laughing, talking, and having a good time until…the wine ran out! Jesus knew the
importance of celebrating and how it would impact that family to run out of wine when the celebrations weren’t done yet. So Jesus did something about it, which allowed
the party to keep going.
Whether you enjoy spending time with friends, family, or even your Small Group, finding people you connect with and who bring you joy can help to make the harder
moments easier. Our hope is that preteens will begin to see that they aren’t alone. When they might be having a hard time finding joy, they can look to others who’ve
found joy through their faith in Jesus and learn from their example.
Week Three (July 21)
Be Joyful With Others
Bible Story: Romans 12:15; Acts 2:42-47
Key Question: What are ways you can help others find joy?
Virtue: Joy – Choosing to celebrate what God is doing
For Week 3, we head to Romans 12:15. Paul wrote to the church in Rome about what true love looked like. Part of sharing the love of Jesus means showing empathy and
being sad with others who were sad or joyful with others who were joyful. When we do that, we can help others to see not only our love, but the love of Jesus too.
Joy is sometimes easy to find and other times not so much. Sometimes we may need to look closer or in different ways, and other times, we may have to help someone else to do the same. We hope this question allows kids to share ideas and think about ways they can help bring joy to those around them.
Week Four (July 28)
Heaven
Bible Story: Revelation 21, 22:1-5
Key Question: What’s the best party you can imagine?
Virtue: Joy – Choosing to celebrate what God is doing
We wrap up the month with the biggest celebration ever in Revelation 21, 22:1-5. John received visions from God about all the things that would one day come, some of
which was easier to understand than others. However, John did write that one day there will be no more pain and sadness, and that God will live with us forever.
Think back to the first time you got a good grade on a project you had been working on for months or getting your first car or even turning the next big significant age. Each of those times probably felt really good, maybe even better than the last! Yet even then, this question allows preteens to begin to think about Heaven and how much more amazing it will be