Decorations
Use spring colors and different items with the word “Joy” written on them.
Program Outline
Welcome and Prayer
Sharing Time Questions
- What season brings you the most joy?
- What type of music improves your mood?
- If you associated color with the word joy, what would it be and why?
- What do you do to bring yourself some joy if you feel down?
Song “Joy to the World” #113 The Salvation Army Song Book
Leader – Developing deep roots of joy is what will sustain our hearts and faith when we face times that are not necessarily easy or pleasant. Joy is founded in our relationship with the Lord, not in the circumstances we face.
In 2018, the Christian music group “For King and Country” recorded a song called “Joy” Let’s watch it. Video – https://youtu.be/lA7n7TwPDmw (If it’s challenging to show the video, print the words.)
“Some people only focus on the difficult things happening in life. Easy to do when you watch the news. However, with Jesus’ help, we can choose joy!”
Responsive Scripture Reading – Psalm 98
Chorus – “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart”
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
I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus….
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding…
I’ve got the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer
Way down in the depths of my heart…
Optional Activity
Paint “joy” on small pots, or use stickers. Place starter plants in the pot. Or make small signs or gift bags with the word “joy” on them. Take them, along with a card, to someone needing a touch of joy.
Developing Roots of Joy
The Word of God refers to joy or the act of rejoicing on many occasions. The word “joy” in some variation is found in 244 times in the NIV translation. Throughout the Bible, God tells us to rejoice, be joyful, and sing praise. However, if we are honest with ourselves, there are many times when we don’t “feel” joyful. In James 1:2, we are told, “consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds.” When I was new to my faith and read this, I’m sure I wasn’t alone when I responded, “Really?” How realistic is it to expect me to be happy about the trial?
Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The fruit grows as we spend time with God and allow His Spirit to teach us about Him and His love and care for us. The roots of our relationship with Him grow deep. This is why Jesus tells us in John 15 that we are to remain in Him, much like the vine and the branches. If we don’t, our faith will wither away, and our joy in the Lord will come also. In the 11th verse of that chapter, Jesus says, “I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Earlier, we sang “Joy to the World,” traditionally sung as a Christmas carol. It wasn’t originally written as such. It was based on Psalm 98, which we read earlier. Both the song and the carol tell us the origin of our joy. We are filled with joy when we recognize God’s love and salvation for us, shown in and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the provision of constant care and protection.
What can we do to assist in the joy-growing process? I think back to another Sunday School chorus we used to sing.
“J-O-Y, J-O-Y, this must surely mean,
Jesus first, Yourself last, and Others in between”
This simple chorus gives us a profound basis for how to intentionally choose joy each day.
- Make your relationship with God the priority of your life. Spend time reading and studying His word so you can see all the reasons to rejoice in Him. He is our joy. He is the one who gives us joy. Listen to songs of joy each day.
- Do something for others. It is an excellent boost to our spirit when we help others. My challenge is that when you do it, be sure you are sharing the joy of Jesus with them. Take time to encourage them and pray with them. Spread the joy!
- Take care of yourself. It is hard to feel joyful or spread joy to others if we are not caring for ourselves spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. Find the help you need in these areas to have good soil for the roots of joy. Difficulty in any area of our life can work to choke out these roots.
So, friends, even during those times of struggle and pain, ups and downs, when our joy is not perfect, let’s remember that our joy here is only a taste of what is to come. As we grow in the Lord, He reminds us that our joy will be complete one day. First Peter 1:8-9 says, “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Joy is not an option in the life of the believer, but the good news is that God is the one who gives and grows our joy. We need to choose to be good soil in which it can grow.
