
Here's the next installment in the Fruit of the Spirit study. We've really been enjoying this and have had fun learning new verses and songs! How about you?
Week Five: Joy
Day One:
* Pray
* Review Galatians 5:22-23; What is the second fruit mentioned? (Joy!)
* Make a frown face and a happy face: which one shows joy?
* Read Philippians 4:4
* What is joy? Joy is like being happy with a happiness that comes from God! It doesn't matter if something good or bad happens - we can still rejoice in the Lord!
* Sing
* Pray
Day Two:
* Pray
* Read Philippians 4:4
* When should I have joy? (always)
* So, when I fall down and get hurt can I have joy in the Lord?
* When Mama gives me a special treat can I have joy in the Lord?
* When someone won't share can I have joy in the Lord?
* What does always mean?
* Sing
* Pray
Day Three:
* Pray
* Read Philippians 4:4
* Two times it says to rejoice! When Mama tells you something important, sometimes she says it two times! So, God must think it is important to tell us two times!
* Learn sign for joy.
* Sing
* Pray
Day Four:
* Pray
* Read Philippians 4:4
* How can we rejoice in the Lord?
* Sing praise to Him.
* Our attitude toward others.
* Pray: tell God our praise!
* Trust Him.
* Journal
* Sing
* Pray

Day Five:
* Pray
* Read Philippians 4:4
* Review
* Sing
* Pray
Week Six
Day One:
* Pray
* Read Nehemiah 8:10c
* Do not grieve means don't be sad.
* This verse tells us that when we have the joy of the Lord - it gives us strength to do right things and to obey God.
* Sing
* Pray
Day Two:
* Pray
* Read Nehemiah 8:10c
* What was the first Fruit we talked about? (love)
* When we have God's special love in our hearts, it gives us joy too!
* You could pretend that it was like planting seeds of love and having joy grow up from those seeds.
* Sing
* Pray
Day Three:
* Pray
* Read Nehemiah 8:10c
* Journal
* Sing
* Pray

Day Four:
* Pray
* Read Nehemiah 8:10c
* Just like God's love gives us joy, when we show love to others, it can bring joy to them!
* Talk about examples.
* Sing
* Pray
Day Five:
* Pray
* Read Nehemiah 8:10c
* Review
* Sing
* Pray
Week Seven
Day One:
* Pray
* Review
* Read Luke 2:8-15
* The angel said they brought good news of great joy. What was the good news? (Jesus' birth!)
* Why did that bring joy? (Because He would grow up and die for our sins so we could live with Him forever in Heaven!)
* Act out story if you want to.
* Sing
* Pray
Day Two:
* Pray
* Read Zephaniah 3:17
* What brings joy to God? (One of His children who loves Him and obeys Him)
* God loves you very much and you make Him happy!
* Sing
* Pray
Day Three:
* Pray
* Read story of Esther
* Joy in God taking care of His people.
* Sing
* Pray
Day Four:
* Pray
* Paraphrase story of Esther
* Act out story
* Sing
* Pray
Day Five:
* Pray
* Review
* Sing
* Pray
Week Eight
Day One:
* Pray
* Review
* Read John 15:11-12
* Joy is a choice
* Do you like red or green? Ok, great you just made a choice!
* Do you want to have sadness or joy? Joy? Great, you can have joy by having God's love in your heart and sharing it with others.
* Sing
* Pray
Day Two:
* Pray
* Read John 15:11-12
* What is a commandment?
* What is God's commandment in this verse?
* What happens when we obey this commandment?
* Let's thank God for His Word!
* Sing
* Pray
Day Three:
* Pray
* Read John 15:11-12
* What does it mean that your joy may be full?
* Show two glasses of water: one with a very small amount - one with a lot.
* Which one is full?
* If you feel like the empty one - you can ask God to fill you up with joy! (show this by filling glass!)
* Sing
* Pray
Day Four:
* Pray
* Read John 15:11-12
* Journal
* Sing
* Pray

Day Five:
* Pray
* Review
* Sing
* Pray