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Demo: Sunday School
Program: Epic Teachings of the Bible
Format: Ages 3-6
Quarter: Quarter One
Lesson 1: Fruit of the Spirit: Love (Galatians 5:22; Luke 15:11-32)
Summary Verse: "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" (Galatians 5:22-23).
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Opening
5 min View
Opening
WelcomeSupplies
- Bible
- red paper hearts, no smaller than 4x5 inches (1 per child)
- brown packing paper
- pencils
- tape
Easy Prep
- Use brown packing paper to create a tree trunk and branches on your wall, large enough so each child will be able to add all 9 fruits of the Spirit. Leave the tree up throughout the 9 weeks that you cover the fruit of the Spirit so kids can add a new red paper heart each week.
- Write the word “love” on each paper heart.
Welcome
- Thank kids for coming.
- Make announcements.
- Introduce new kids.
- Collect the offering.
Introduce the Lesson
- Say: Over the next few weeks, we’ll be learning about something called the fruit of the Spirit. Invite kids to tell where fruit grows. One place fruit grows is on a tree. Point to the tree you made ahead of time. Since we’ll be learning about a new fruit of the Spirit every week, we’ll each get to add a new fruit to our tree every week.
- Give each child a red paper heart.
- Say: This week we’ll learn that love is a fruit of the Spirit. Hold up a heart, point out the word “love,” and read it aloud.
- Say: Today we’ll find out about God’s great big love for us and how he helps us love others. Since God loves each of you, write your name on your heart, too. Preschoolers may flip their hearts to the side without “love” to write their names, as they may need the entire space. Have adult and teen helpers write for preschoolers who don’t yet know how to write their names.
- Say: When I say love is a fruit of the Spirit, that means when we’re friends with God, he helps us show love to others. Let’s add our “love fruit” to the tree to remind us that love is a fruit of the Spirit. Lead kids to tape their fruit to the tree.
Share
- Say: As we learn about love today, we’ll hear a story in the Bible about a boy who traveled far away from home. He was away for a while, so when he came back, he was very happy to see his family. Let’s talk about times we were happy to come home. Share about a time you were happy to come home. It might be after a long day at work, after a vacation, or when you were sick and you were looking forward to getting in bed.
- In leader-led small groups, have preschoolers share about times they were happy to come home. They might tell about returning home after staying at Grandma’s house for a night. They might also share about being happy to come home after their first day at preschool or when they missed their parents.
- After small groups have discussed, have adult or teen helpers share with the whole group what they talked about in their small groups.
Summarize
Open a Bible, and say: Most of us are happy to come home every day. The boy we’ll read about in the Bible today was away from home for a long time, and when he came home, he learned how much his daddy loved him. The daddy showed his son so much love! Today we’ll learn more about how love is a fruit of the Spirit and how being friends with God helps us show love.
Pray, thanking God that love is a fruit of the Spirit that God gives us to share with others.
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Core Bible
20 min View
Core Bible Discovery
Fruit of the Spirit: Love (Galatians 5:22; Luke 15:11-32)Supplies
- Bible
- red washable marker (1 for every 5 to 6 kids)
- stuffed animals (1 for every 5 to 6 kids)
- brown construction paper
- play money (at least 1 per child)
- toys kids can carry (1 per child)
Easy Prep
- Tear pieces of construction paper so the kids each have a few pieces to feed the stuffed animals.
- If you don’t already have a play area, place all the toys kids can carry in one area.
Act It Out
Gather all the children in one area of your room near toys that kids can carry along with them when they travel later in this activity. Say: Today we’ll find out what “Love is a fruit of the Spirit” means. We’ll hear a story Jesus told to help his friends understand how much God loves us and how we can love others, too.
Have an adult or teen helper use the red washable markers to draw a red heart on the top of each child’s hand. Say: A heart is a picture that reminds us of love. Since we’re talking about love today, we’ll wear these hearts on our hands.
Show a Bible. Say: Now let’s look in the Bible to hear the story Jesus told about God’s great big love. Read Luke 15:11b-12.
Say: When the son asked for his share of the estate, he was asking his dad to give him all the money he’d get when the dad died. That might’ve made the dad feel sad or think his son didn’t love him very much. Maybe the dad thought his son cared more about money than about him. Give each child some play money.
Say: The dad loved his son so much, and he did what his son asked. Have kids touch the hearts on their hands.
Say: After the son got his money, he packed up all his things, and then he left home and traveled far, far away. Lead kids to each choose a toy from the area where they’re sitting to “pack up” and carry along with them as they travel. Then lead the kids on a long journey, having them carry their belongings and their money with them. Have them pretend to climb over hills and wade across rivers. Have them pretend to weave along winding roads and trudge through tall grass.
Say: The dad must’ve been sad that his son traveled far, far away. But the dad still loved his son very much! Lead kids to touch the hearts on their hands.
Say: The son moved far, far away, and he wasted all his money! The son bought silly things that he didn’t need, and he did things he knew were wrong. He lived like this until he had nothing left! Have adult and teen leaders collect all the children’s play money and toys and set them aside.
Say: The dad didn’t know where his son was or that he was making bad choices, but even if he had known, the dad still loved his son very much. Lead kids to touch the hearts on their hands.
Say: Where the son lived, there wasn’t enough food to eat. He got so hungry that he almost died! He decided to start working for a farmer. His job was to feed piggies. Let’s pretend we’re feeding animals. In small groups, have kids take turns “feeding” the stuffed animals using the brown construction paper pieces.
Say: Feeding the pigs wasn’t a very important job. It was one of the ickiest jobs you could have! And the dad didn’t know the son was so hungry and working an icky job, but even if the dad had known, he still loved his son very much. Lead kids to touch the hearts on their hands.
Say: Finally the son thought, “What am I doing here? I could be working for my dad and I wouldn’t be hungry! I’ll go home and tell my dad how sorry I am and ask him if I can work for him.” Read Luke 15:20.
Have kids touch the hearts on their hands. Say: When the son went home, he thought his dad might be mad at him for leaving and taking his money. But the dad loved the son so much that he ran to his son and gave him a great big hug! Lead kids to turn and give a big hug to a neighbor.
Say: The son said, “I’m so sorry, Dad! Please let me work for you.” But his dad didn’t want him to be a worker in his house. The dad loved him so much that he wanted his son to come back and live in his home. The dad still wanted to share all he had with his son. Lead kids to touch the hearts on their hands.
Say: Then the dad threw a big party to celebrate! Lead kids to celebrate by cheering and jumping excitedly.
Talk About It
Have kids touch the hearts on their hands. Say: All along, the dad’s love never, ever went away. God loves us like that, too. God wants us to be friends with him and to make good choices, but even when we make a mistake or do something wrong, God still loves us very much! The Bible says… Read Galatians 5:22 only until the word love. That means when we’re friends with God and we know that God loves us that much, it helps us love others, too. Our friendship with God makes us be great at loving!
Share about someone you know who has the love fruit of the Spirit, and explain how you see that. For example, maybe another leader loves the kids so much that she’s always happy to see them at church.
Ask: • Tell about someone you know who is great at loving you. Invite kids to share about people they know and what they do that’s loving. Maybe their mom takes care of them because she loves them so much. Maybe their dad gives them kisses and that’s how they know he loves them. Maybe their grandma gives them hugs and that’s how they know she loves them.
Play a Game
Say: Love is a fruit of the Spirit, so when we’re friends with God, he helps us love others. Let’s play a game where we practice loving others. First we’ll have to learn a song to sing during our game. Lead kids in singing “Jesus Loves Me.”
After kids have practiced singing the song, have all the children line up side by side on one end of the room and hold hands. Choose one child to stand on the opposite side of the room. Have all the kids sing the first verse of the song while swinging their hands. On the chorus, have the child on the opposite side of the room run to the other kids. The kids will quickly make a circle around that child and do a group hug as they sing the chorus.
Repeat several times, having kids take turns being the child who is hugged. If you have a large group, have kids play this game in small groups.
Say: A hug shows love, and a kiss does, too. And when we’re a good friend to someone, that shows love. When we play nicely with someone, that shows love. There are lots of ways to show love, and when we’re friends with God, he helps us show love because love is a fruit of the Spirit!
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Wrap-Up
5 min View
Life Application Wrap-Up
Show Me the LoveSupplies
- red washable marker*
Play a Love Game
Refresh any red marker hearts on kids’ hands as needed. Sit with kids in a circle. Say: Today we learned that love is a fruit of the Spirit and that God helps us show love to others. Lead kids to touch the hearts on their hands.
Say: Let’s play a game. We’ll try to think of people we can show love to—as many as we can. You’ll each have a turn to share. On your turn, touch the heart on your hand and name one person. You might say someone in your family, or you might say someone you don’t even know, like the cashier at the grocery story, a police officer, or a cook at a restaurant. Demonstrate to start, then have the child sitting to your left in the circle share. Guide each child to share, one after the other, encouraging them to speak quickly. Continue around the circle more than once and until kids run out of ideas or as time allows.
Pray
Say: Wow! There are so many people we can show love to—from our families to our neighbors to our church and school. Since God is the one who helps us show love—love is a fruit of the Spirit—let’s ask God to help us love these people we named this week.
Lead children in a brief prayer, asking for God’s help and mentioning as many kinds of people as you can remember from what kids shared in the game.
Say: I love that you were here today to learn about love! I hope you’ll show love to everyone you see this week, and remember that God will help you show love because love is a fruit of the Spirit. I hope you’ll come back next week to tell me all about it!
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Music Video
10 min View
Music Video
I'm All InSupplies
- “Shine His Light” (watch or download here)
- “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (watch or download here)
- “To God Be the Glory” (watch or download here)
Tip
- Don’t have internet in your classroom? That’s okay! You can choose your own worship songs from our Best Of Dig In Music DVD here.
Sing Songs to God
Sing the three songs in any order.
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Core Bible at Home
20 min View -
Talk-About Video
10 min View
Talk-About Video
Joy in AfricaSupplies
- “Joy in Africa” teaching video (watch or download here)
Tips:
- Talk-About Videos may work for preschoolers, but they’re geared more toward elementary kids. If you find that the videos aren’t hitting the mark for your preschoolers, try using the Preschool Puppet Skit activity block instead.
- Don’t have internet in your classroom? That’s okay! You can download the videos before class using the “download” button at the link provided, or purchase DVDs here.
Discuss and Watch “Joy in Africa”
Say: We’re learning that joy is a fruit of the Spirit.
Ask: • Tell about something that makes you really happy. Share your own story first.
Say: Usually we associate being happy with having everything we want. But joy is a little different! Let’s see how God brought joy to a school in Africa…even when the kids didn’t have everything we might think makes us happy.
Watch “Joy in Africa.”
Ask: • Which of the things that we said make us happy were in the video?
• What were some things the kids experienced that seemed really hard?
• How do you think the kids in the orphanage were able to have joy even though they had hard lives?
• After watching this video, how would you describe the difference between happiness and joy?
Say: We don’t need to have everything we want to have joy. That’s because joy doesn’t come from what we have. Joy comes from God, because joy is a fruit of the Spirit.
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Preschool Puppet
10 min View
Preschool Puppet Skit
Theo Loves BooksSupplies
- Theophilus the FaithRetriever™ Puppet (order here)
- a favorite kids’ storybook
Easy Prep
- Attach the storybook to Theo’s paw.
Tip
- You may find it helpful to highlight your part and set the script on a music stand nearby during the skit.
Leader: It’s time for our puppy friend, Theo, to come for a visit. Let’s call him to our class with a “woof, woof.” Ready? (Leads kids to bark until Theo is brought into view.)
Theo: Hi, friends! I really, really want a good scratch. I was wondering if you’d scratch my back? (Circulates among kids so each child can pet him.)
Leader: Thanks for giving a friendly welcome to Theo, kids!
Theo: That was a grrrrreaat welcome, friends!
Leader: Theo, what book did you bring today?
Theo: I brought my favorite storybook. (Shows and names the storybook. Lets kids pass around the book.) I was hoping I could read it to my friends here.
Leader: That’s nice of you, Theo! (Holds up the Bible.) Today we’re learning how some people had an awesome book—the Bible—read to them.
Theo: I didn’t know people in the Bible liked being read to.
Leader: They did! And they had so much joy when they learned about God through the Bible.
Theo: I feel joy when I learn from a book, too—even if all I learn is a new word! (Looks to kids.) Would you like me to read my favorite book to you? (Waits for kids’ responses.)
Leader: I think that’s a great idea, Theo. I’ll hold the book for you while you read it.
Theo: Thank you! (Hands over the book and then reads it aloud to kids.)
Leader: Thanks for reading your book to us, Theo. That was really fun. What’s your favorite thing about this book?
Theo: You’re welcome! Um, I think my favorite thing is… (Pauses for a few seconds and then names something from the book that he likes. Then looks to kids.) What did you like about my favorite book? (Listens and responds to kids’ answers.)
Leader: It was a great book!
Theo: (Hops excitedly.) I think so, too! It gives me so much joy when I read it.
Leader: That’s great, Theo. The people we read about in the Bible today had so much joy when the Bible was read to them, too. And we found out that joy is a fruit of the Spirit.
Theo: What do you mean?
Leader: I mean that when we’re friends with God, he fills our hearts with joy.
Theo: Wow! God is so good to give us joy! (Pauses as if thinking.) Do you think…I wonder if God made this book so I could have joy.
Leader: Every good thing comes from God; so in a way, everything that brings us real joy comes from him, too.
Theo: Well, my mom brings me joy. I love her so much. So I know God gave her to me as a mom. I’m going to go tell her now!
Leader: I bet she’ll love hearing that, Theo. We’ll see you later, then. Kids, give Theo a big “woof, woof, goodbye”! (Leads kids to say “woof, woof, goodbye,” and then places Theo out of sight.)
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Object Lesson
10 min View
Object Lesson
Joyful StrawsSupplies
- jumbo smoothie straws (2 per child)
Easy Prep
- Prepare straws (1 per child) by cutting in a spiral pattern from one end of each straw to the other. Leave about an inch of uncut straw.
Tip
- If you decide to do this activity before the Core Bible Discovery activity, consider using your straws to celebrate during that block, too!
Blow Into a Regular Straw
Say: We use straws to help us drink water, juice, or even milkshakes.
Ask: • What do you like to drink through a straw?
Say: Let’s do something different with straws. Let’s blow through them.
- Give each child a regular, uncut straw.
- Encourage kids to take a deep breath and then blow through the straw.
Blow Into a Cut Straw
Say: Now let’s blow through straws again. But this time you’ll blow through a special straw, like this.
- Show kids one of the pre-cut straws. Stretch out the straw so they can see the spiral cut.
- Give each child a pre-cut straw, and show kids how to blow into the uncut end.
- Encourage kids to take a deep breath, blow through the straws as hard as they can, and watch what happens to the straws. They’ll wobble and wiggle back and forth.
- Laugh with kids and encourage them as they make their straws wiggle and move for several minutes.
Talk About It
Say: We blew through two different straws. Hold up a regular straw and a pre-cut straw.
Ask: • How was blowing through the second straw different from blowing through the first one?
Say: The second straws were silly! We were surprised when they wiggled and wobbled. It’s like our breath filled the straws with joy and made them dance around and have lots of fun. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Like we put wiggles in the straws, God puts joy, happiness, and laughter into us when we’re friends with him!
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Deeper Bible
15 min View
Deeper Bible
Down in My Heart to StaySupplies
- Bible
- white construction paper (1 piece per child)
- large craft sticks (1 per child)
- washable markers
Easy Prep
- Cut a large construction-paper circle for each child. Tape each circle to a craft stick to create a round sign.
Talk About Joy
Give each child a round sign.
Say: Today we’re learning that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. When God’s friends got together to learn more about God, they celebrated. When good things happen, it’s easy to feel joy. Help kids use the markers to draw a smiley face on one side of each sign.
Tell about a time something really good happened in your life and you felt joy. You might share about getting married, celebrating a special birthday, or going on a special trip.
Ask: • Tell about a time you felt really joyful. Kids may share about going someplace special with their families or getting a special gift.
Say: But sometimes sad things happen and we don’t feel very joyful. Help kids draw a frowning face on the other side of their signs.
Share about something sad that happened to you. You may have lost a loved one, moved away from friends, or not gotten a job you were hoping for.
Ask: • Tell about a time you were sad. Kids may share about losing a pet, breaking a favorite toy, or not getting to go someplace special.
Practice Finding Joy
Say: Let’s play a game with our signs to see how God can give us joy even when sad things happen.
Say: When someone really special, like Grandma, comes for a visit, how do you feel? Encourage kids to show you with their signs. When it’s time for her to leave, how do you feel? Encourage kids to show you with their signs.
Say: If you feel sad, you can remember that Jesus has put joy in your heart that never goes away. Because we know how much God loves us, we can have joy even when our hearts are sad. Listen to this. Read aloud Psalm 47:1.
Say: That reminds me of a fun song about joy. Sing “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart.” (If you aren’t familiar with this song, you can find it online.) Have kids all turn their signs to the smiley sides as they sing.
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. (Where?)
Down in my heart. (Where?)
Down in my heart.
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. (Where?)
Down in my heart to stay!
Say: Let’s try another example. When you get a special toy for your birthday, how do you feel? Encourage kids to show you with their signs. If that toy gets lost or broken, how do you feel? Encourage kids to show you with their signs.
Say: But remember, Jesus is always with us, and he puts joy into our hearts because joy is the fruit of the Spirit. Sing the song again. Have kids all turn their signs to the smiley sides.
Say: Let’s try one more. When you’re going to play in the park, how do you feel? Encourage kids to show you with their signs. When it starts to rain and you can’t go, how do you feel? Encourage kids to show you with their signs.
Say: Let’s sing our song one more time to remember that God puts his joy deep in our hearts to stay. Sing the song again. Have kids all turn their signs to the smiley sides.
Say: When sad things happen, we don’t feel happy. But because we know God loves us, we can trust that he’s always with us. That gives us joy because joy is a fruit of the Spirit.
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High-Energy Game
10 min View
High-Energy Game
Let’s CelebrateSupplies
- upbeat music
- music player
Tips
- You can purchase downloadable music and other items to enhance your DIG IN program here.
- If you used the Craft block, consider using the pompoms made in that block as you celebrate.
Dance Party
Say: God’s people celebrated what they learned about God from the Bible. We can celebrate all the wonderful things we learn from the Bible, too. Learning more about God brings us joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Let’s celebrate the joy God gives us right now!
- Play music, and encourage kids to dance and celebrate.
- Every few minutes, give kids suggestions on ways to dance. You could say:
- dance in one place
- dance like a penguin
- dance like you’re swimming
- dance with a friend
- Give kids a chance to suggest some dance moves, if they would like.
- Continue dancing as time allows.
Talk About It
Turn off the music, and gather kids together.
Say: That was a fun way to celebrate! When we have God’s joy in our hearts, we can celebrate in all kinds of ways.
Share your favorite way to celebrate. Maybe you like to eat a special meal, play games, or just be with friends.
Ask: • What’s your favorite way to celebrate? Kids may say have a party with friends, go to a special place, or eat a special meal.
Say: God loves it when we celebrate. He wants us to have his joy in our hearts! Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.
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Low-Energy Game
10 min View
Low-Energy Game
Set the TableSupplies
- paper plates (1 for every 2 kids)
- 8-ounce foam cups (1 for every 2 kids)
- upbeat music (optional)
- music player (optional)
Tip
- You can purchase downloadable music and other items to enhance your DIG IN program here.
Carry the Dishes
Say: The people we read about in the Bible had a big feast to celebrate what they were learning from the Bible. It must’ve taken a long time to set the table for all those people. Let’s play a game where we’ll carry some dishes and pretend to get ready for a big feast.
- Form two groups, and have the groups stand on opposite sides of the room.
- Give the cups to one group and the plates to the other.
- Show kids how to carry a plate with a cup balanced on top without touching the cup.
- Have kids pair up in their groups. Each pair will work with a pair in the other group to form a team of four.
- On your cue, have one child from each team carry a plate to a teammate who has a cup.
- The teammate with the cup will take the plate, stack the cup on it, and carry it carefully to a teammate who has a plate, trying not to touch the cup while traveling across the room.
- Play continues, relay-style, with kids adding their cups or plates to the stack until all the cups and plates for a team are stacked. Younger preschoolers can stack plates together and cups together to make the balancing easier (plate/plate/cup/cup). Older preschoolers can try to stack them plate/cup/plate/cup.
- If you’d like, play upbeat music while kids play.
Talk About It
Say: We worked hard today to get ready for our pretend feast. It’s fun to celebrate something special with a meal, even if it takes some work.
Share an example of a special meal that you enjoyed. It may have been a holiday dinner, going out to celebrate a new job, or a meal celebrating the birth of a new baby. Explain what you were celebrating and why the meal was special.
Ask: • What’s a special meal you’ve shared with your family or friends? Kids may say a special birthday celebration, Thanksgiving, or Christmas dinner. Encourage kids to share why the meal was special.
Say: We have lots of ways to celebrate special times in our lives. God gives us so many reasons to celebrate and be joyful. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and it’s always a gift from God. Sharing a meal with our friends and families is a great way to celebrate, just like God’s friends in the Bible did.
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Craft
20 min View
Craft
Yay, God! PompomsSupplies
- 3-ounce paper cups (4 per child)
- various colors of curling ribbon
- Glue Dots
- washable markers
- Bible
Easy Prep
- Make a sample craft to show kids.
- Cut curling ribbon into 18-inch pieces, about 40 pieces per child.
Tip
- If you’re planning to lead kids in the High-Energy Game block this week, you may want to use these pompoms as part of your celebration.
Make Celebration Pompoms
Say: God gave us the Bible to help us know him better. The people we read about in the Bible learned some amazing things about God when Ezra read to them. They even had a party to celebrate! We can be excited about all the amazing things we’re learning about God, too. Let’s make something special to help us celebrate how great God is.
- Give each child two cups and several Glue Dots.
- Help kids put the Glue Dots around the outside and bottom of one of the cups.
- Show kids how to attach ribbons to the bottom of the cup so the ribbons hang down past the top of the cup when it’s turned upside down.
- After kids finish gluing several ribbons to the cup, show them how to add a few more Glue Dots to the bottom of it and then stack the other cup over the ribbon cup to seal the ribbons inside the pompom.
- Give each child a second set of cups, and have kids repeat the process to create a second pompom.
- While kids are waiting for others to finish, allow them to color the outer cups with markers.
Celebrate God’s Promises
Lead preschoolers to an open part of the room with their pompoms. Show them how to hold the pompoms so the cups are in their fists and the ribbons flow freely.
Say: When someone promises to do something for us, just thinking about the promise can bring us joy.
Tell about something you were promised that was exciting. Maybe a friend promised to come and visit, your spouse promised to paint the kitchen, or your mom promised to make your favorite dinner next week.
Ask: • Tell about an exciting promise someone made to you. Kids may share about cookies Mom promised they could eat if they finished their dinner, a trip to the park Dad promised for next weekend, or a special place Grandpa promised to take them next summer.
Say: God puts his joy in us when we learn more about him. This joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Let’s look at the Bible to find out some promises God’s given us that we can celebrate. Read each of the following promises from the Bible aloud, and lead kids to wave their pompoms in the air and shout “Yay, God!” after each one. Continue reviewing promises as time allows.
- John 3:16: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Shout: Yay, God!)
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Isaiah 40:31: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Shout: Yay, God!)
- Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ” (Shout: Yay, God!)
Say: We can celebrate God’s promises. When we’re friends with God and we remember that he keeps all his promises, he gives us joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Thank you, God, for promising to take care of us!
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Take-Home
0 min View
Take-Home
Dig In @ HomeSupplies
- this week’s “Dig In @ Home” handout (1 per child) (download here)
Easy Prep
- Add your church announcements to the “Dig In @ Home” handout.
Distribute a copy of the “Dig In @ Home” handout to kids as they leave, or email it to parents during the week.
Lesson 2: Fruit of the Spirit: Joy (Galatians 5:22; Nehemiah 8:1-3, 10-12)
Summary Verse: "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" (Galatians 5:22-23).
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Opening
5 min View
Opening
WelcomeSupplies
- Bible
- red paper hearts, no smaller than 4x5 inches (1 per child)
- pencils
- tape
Easy Prep
- Ensure your brown paper tree from last week is still intact with the “love” hearts on it. Leave it up for the entire unit on fruit of the Spirit.
- Write the word “joy” on each paper heart.
Welcome
- Thank kids for coming.
- Make announcements.
- Introduce new kids.
- Collect the offering.
Introduce the Lesson
- Say: Last week and over the next few weeks, we’re learning about the fruit of the Spirit. One place fruit grows is on a tree. Point to the tree you made ahead of time. Last week we added “love fruits” because we learned about love.
- Give each child a red paper heart.
- Say: This week we’ll learn that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Hold up a heart, point out “joy,” and read it aloud.
- Say: Today we’ll find out that being friends with God brings us joy and happiness. Since God brings each of you joy, write your name on your heart fruit, too. Preschoolers may flip their hearts to the side without “joy” to write their names, as they may need the entire space. Have adult and teen helpers write for preschoolers who don’t yet know how to write their names.
- Lead kids to tape their fruit to the tree.
Share
- Say: As we learn about joy today, we’ll hear how much joy and excitement God’s friends had when they listened to the Bible. Let’s begin by talking about books we enjoy having read to us. Share about a book you loved to have read to you as a child.
- In leader-led small groups, have preschoolers share about a book they love to listen to.
- After small groups have discussed, have adult or teen helpers share with the whole group what they talked about in their small groups.
Summarize
Open a Bible, and say: It’s great to hear a good story. As we look into the Bible, we’ll find out that it’s full of true stories about real people who lived a long time ago. Today we’ll read about some people who had so much joy and happiness when they got to hear God’s Word, the Bible. And we’ll find out that joy comes from God. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and being friends with God brings us joy and happiness.
Pray, thanking God that joy is a fruit of the Spirit that he gives us to share with others.
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Core Bible
20 min View
Core Bible Discovery
Fruit of the Spirit: Joy (Galatians 5:22; Nehemiah 8:1-3, 10-12)Supplies
- Bible
- upbeat music
- music player
- small snack (1 per child)
- small drink (1 per child)
- wet wipes
- crepe-paper streamers
- inflated balloons
- tape
Easy Prep
- Place all the party supplies out of sight.
Tips
- You can purchase downloadable music and other items to enhance your DIG IN program here.
- To avoid choking hazards, be sure to pick up pieces of any broken balloons promptly.
Act It Out
Say: Today we’ll learn that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. That means when we’re friends with God, he helps us feel joy and happiness in our hearts. Let’s read in the Bible about some people who got joy from God.
Open the Bible. Say: It says here all God’s people gathered together in a place called the Water Gate. Point to a door in your room. Let’s pretend that’s the Water Gate and gather together there. Lead kids to gather in closely around the “Water Gate.” Hold the Bible behind you as kids settle, and stand away from the Water Gate.
Say: All the people were there because they wanted to learn about God. So they asked a church leader named Ezra to bring out a Bible. In exaggerated motions, bring the Bible in front of you and open it up, showing a sense of awe. The people knew the Bible was the most special book ever and that they could learn about God from the Bible. All the men and women and children who were old enough to understand were there. That’s like us! Give me a cheer if you want to get to know God from the Bible! Lead kids in a short cheer.
Say: So Ezra brought out the Bible. Emphasize again that you’re holding a special book, and move around the group so you’re standing by the Water Gate, facing kids. Say: Then… Read Nehemiah 8:1-3. Lead kids to put a hand up to an ear to show they’re listening carefully.
Say: The people were so happy to learn about God from the Bible! And their leader, Nehemiah, told them to celebrate about all they’d learned and about God’s love for them. He said to have a big party with food and drinks and gifts. He reminded them that “the joy of the Lord is your strength!” That means God brings us joy, and joy helps us do hard things!
Have a Party
Say: So let’s have a joyful party like Nehemiah said to, and we’ll celebrate our loving God who brings us joy and happiness. Remember, joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Bring out the party supplies. Lead kids in decorating the room for a great party for several minutes. Play worship music as kids work.
After kids have finished decorating, lead them in singing a favorite worship song with joy and excitement.
Next, gather the children in a circle and have some children help you pass out a snack and a drink to each child.
Say: God loves when his friends have joy. God is the one who gives us joy and happiness! God was happy that his friends in the Bible had a celebration, and he’s happy for us to have a celebration, too. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, so let’s talk about some joyful things now.
Share a few amazing things about God, and talk about how those things bring you joy. Have kids cheer after each thing you share. For example, one amazing thing about God is that he made the whole world, and maybe it brings you joy to think of how God made you exactly how he did. Or maybe you share how amazing it is to be loved by God and that knowing he loves you, no matter what, brings you joy.
Ask: • What’s something amazing you know about God? Help kids if needed. It’s okay if they repeat ideas, such as God loves me, God takes care of me, God is my friend, and God made the whole world. After each child shares, briefly explain how that thing can bring the kids joy, and then lead them all in a cheer.
Say: Joy is a fruit of the spirit, and it comes from being friends with God and getting to know him more and more like the people did in the Bible. Let’s cheer one more time for God! Lead kids in one more joyful cheer for God.
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Wrap-Up
5 min View
Life Application Wrap-Up
Jump and ShoutCheer for God
Say: Today we found out that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. We heard how God’s friends were filled with joy. One way we show joy is by jumping and shouting. Let’s think of things that make us feel joy and happiness, and then we’ll jump and shout and cheer for God because God gives us every single good thing we have!
Share about one thing that brings you joy, and then lead kids in jumping and shouting “Thank you, God!” for the good thing God gave you. You can share about anyone or anything that brings you joy.
Ask: • What brings you joy? Preschoolers might share about family members, toys, foods, or things they love to play. Lead kids in cheering “Thank you, God!” after each example a child shares.
Continue as time allows.
Pray
Say: There are so many things we can be joyful about. And God brings us all that joy! Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, so when we’re friends with God, he fills us with joy. Let’s talk to God once more to thank him for giving us joy. Lead kids in a brief prayer, thanking God that joy is a fruit of the Spirit.
Say: I feel joy today that you came to church. I hope you’ll come back next week so we can learn more about being best friends with our amazing God!