This Sunday school lesson plan aims to help children understand the meaning of joy and how it differs from happiness. The kids’ Bible lesson explains that joy is a deep and lasting inner attitude that comes from abiding in God’s love. Teaching from John 15:9-17, it encourages students to rest in God’s presence and trust Him, so that they may know the peace that passes all understanding and experience lasting joy. The lesson also emphasizes loving and serving others as a natural outflow of gratitude for God’s love.
Jesus’ New Commandment (John 15:9-17) Bible Lesson for Children on “Love One Another”
Jesus tells us that He has come to make our joy complete (John 15:11). What does this mean, though? It’s important for children to develop an understanding of what joy is and how it differs from mere happiness. This lesson explains that joy is more than a temporary feeling. It is an inner attitude of peace and security, given by Jesus. Happiness fades with circumstance, but joy is deep and lasting!
Genuine joy comes from abiding in God’s love. When we rest in His presence and trust Him, we know the peace that passes all understanding and experience lasting joy. This doesn’t come from our own power or from circumstances. Jesus is the one who provides it. Joy is more than a feeling. It’s an attitude that comes from the Holy Spirit. Out of gratitude for God’s love, we can love and serve one another!
Love Others Brings Joy in Jesus – Sunday School Lesson on John 15
Passage: John 15:9-17; Psalm 98:4-6
Target Audience: Children in Kindergarten to 6th grade (ages 6-12 years old)
You can find this same lesson plan in KJV or ESV Bible translations at the Sunday School Store. “Joy in Jesus – John 15:9-17” is a Bible lesson and activity resource for children. The lesson aims to help children understand the difference between joy and happiness and how to find lasting joy in Jesus. The lesson begins by discussing what makes people happy and how happiness is often based on circumstances or outward things. It then explains that joy is more than just a feeling; it is an attitude that comes from the Holy Spirit. When we abide in God’s love and trust Him, we can experience His peace and joy, even when things aren’t going our way. The lesson also discusses how Jesus came to give us joy and how we can share that joy with others. The resource provides a variety of activities to help children engage with the material, including a discussion, object lesson, crafts, and games.
Materials Needed: Construction paper; paper plates; glue; markers or crayons; tape; scissors; decorative supplies; string; items that make someone happy (treats, toys, etc.); musical instruments; Bibles.
Lesson Opening: This passage reminds us of how Jesus offers us lasting joy when we abide in His love and care for one another. Get students thinking with some opening activities. Some possible ideas include:
- Happy, happy, joy: Play this game like the classic “duck, duck, goose”, but with a change of words. When the tagging student calls out “joy” instead of “happy”, that will be the signal to chase.
- Happy/Sad freeze dance: discuss the rapid change of emotions, which contrasts with the lasting joy of Jesus. Have students dance along to upbeat music in a quick and happy manner. Change the music to a slower, sadder tone and encourage kids to freeze or to dance very slowly. Alternatively, play this as a “red light/green light” variation, calling out “happy” or “sad” to move or stop.
- Make a joyful noise: provide students with simple instruments or noisemakers. Invite them to create their own “band” of sorts to make joyful music and noises. Discuss how we are called to praise God out of the joy and love that we have in our hearts.
- Stability versus change: provide students with something that is solid and stable (a rock, a Bible) and something that is quickly altered (ice, a popsicle, tower of blocks). Explore the differences between them, pointing out how some things in our lives change quickly, while other things remain. When our hope is found in the things that don’t change (God and His word), it lasts!
- J-O-Y joy: Have students write the letters “J-O-Y” on a large piece of paper or white board, and look at the acronym “Jesus/Others/Yourself.” Discuss ways that we can focus on each part of that acronym.
Explain to students that this lesson reminds us of the love that God has for us, and how He wants us to rest in His love and share it with others. Understanding that will give us deep joy on the inside, based not in circumstances but in Jesus, who is always with us.
Bible Lesson: John 15:9-17
This passage is part of the conversation that Jesus had with His disciples prior to His death on the cross. It doesn’t lend itself as much to acting out, but it is important to recognize that Jesus is talking. You might have students take turns reading these verses, or read them out loud and pause to explain what is being said.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. -John 15:9-11
Explain to students that Jesus is talking in this passage. It takes place in the upper room where Jesus shared the last supper with His disciples, and He shared important truths with them. These words are for us, too. We see the importance of remaining close to Christ and abiding in His love. Explain how “abide” is a similar word to “live.” We are to live in the love of Jesus. Abiding means that we rest in the relationship we have with Him. We also share His love with others. When we do this, our “joy will be full,” as it says here.
Ask: What does it mean to be joyful? How is joy different from happiness?
(Discuss this difference, if you have not already).
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. -John 15:12-15
This is a wonderful and remarkable promise. The Son of God calls us friends! Jesus commanded His disciples (and therefore us) to love one another, not just on a surface level, but in the same way He loves. The blessing attached to this commandment is that following it makes us friends of Christ. We are not just workers or servants, but close friends with Jesus! He cares about us so much that He considers us buddies. We are given that much of a close connection with Him.
Ask: Who are some friends you have? What does it mean to be friends with Jesus?
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. –John 15:16-17
This is a wonderful and comforting reminder of how we are known, loved, and chosen by Jesus. Of course, we can make the choice to deny and reject Him, or to follow Him. But He has already chosen us to abide in Him and bear fruit. He wants to be close to us, if we accept that. He wants to love us and He wants us to love one another. Remind students that God chose each of them for a special purpose. He has a plan for our lives! Knowing that should give us an abundance of joy and delight.
Ask: How do you show love to others? Why is it important to remember that we are chosen by God?
Note: the final verses here are an optional follow-up, using a reflection on the Psalms to remember how we can respond to the love that God has for us.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! -Psalm 98:4-6
The joy we have in Jesus fills us completely. We rejoice in what He has provided for us and in how great our God is. As a reaction and out of thanksgiving for this, we can worship the Lord with our praises and joy. We can sing to Him, play instruments, and celebrate His goodness and grace. These verses (and many others in the Psalms) remind us that God loves to hear from us. Whether we are the next pop star or can barely carry a tune, our joyful noise is still appreciated by God when we give it genuinely to Him. So we should lift our voices (or instruments) and praise Him!
Ask: How do you like to worship and praise? Do you sing or play an instrument?
Happiness is fleeting, and there are things that constantly threaten to take away our circumstantial feelings. But the joy we find in Jesus is more than a passing emotion. Joy is an attitude and fruit of the Holy Spirit. Remind students that joy can always be with us because Jesus is always with us. We have the confidence of His constant presence. No matter what happens to us, we can be joyful because He makes us joyful. That joy can spill over to others and help us to love and care for them, too!
Close with prayer, thanking God for His love and asking for His help to love and serve others.
https://ministry-to-children.com/jesus-is-the-real-thing-message
This resource could be used in a variety of settings. It could be used as a Sunday school lesson for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The lesson plan provides a variety of activities that would be engaging and age-appropriate for this age group. The lesson plan also includes a Bible study that would help students understand the meaning of joy and how it is different from happiness.
This resource could also be used by parents who want to teach their children about joy. The lesson plan is easy to follow and provides a variety of activities that parents can do with their children at home. The Bible study would also be helpful for parents who want to learn more about the Christian concept of joy.
Finally, this resource could be used by church leaders who want to preach a sermon on joy. The lesson plan provides a good overview of the topic of joy and includes some helpful Bible passages to reference. The activities in the lesson plan could also be used as part of a sermon series on joy.