Monthly Big Idea
I can have joy all the time.
MEMORY VERSE
“A joyful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17:22, ESV
Week One
Story of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1-7
Jesus tells a parable about a shepherd and his lost sheep to teach us about God’s love.
Week Two
Feast of Booths
Deuteronomy 16:13-17
God tells His people to have a festival and be joyful for the harvest He has blessed them with.
Week Three
Ezra and the Rebuilding of the Temple
Ezra 3:10-13
Ezra writes about the joy God’s people had when they finished rebuilding part of the temple.
Week Four
Joy in the Psalms
Psalms 8 and 19
David writes poems, called psalms, when he looks at all the things God has made.
Week Five
God Will Give Us Joy
Habakkuk 3:17-18
Habakkuk prays that he will have joy in the Lord even if there is no food growing in his garden or animals on his farm.
ENGAGE IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS TOGETHER
Morning Time
When you go into your child’s room, cuddle them and say: “Good morning, [child’s name]! Let’s wake up and have joy, because God loves us!”
Drive Time
While on the go, look for animals. Each time you find an animal, name it and make the animal’s sound. Talk about how Jesus told a story about a shepherd who lost an animal. It was a sheep. Jesus told this story to teach us that God loves us.
Cuddle Time
Cuddle with your child and pray: “God, every time I think about how much You love [child’s name] and me, I have joy! Thank You for loving us so much! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Bath Time
Add bubbles and a small toy sheep to bath time. Tell your child to close their eyes while you drop the sheep in the bubbles. Then tell your child to open their eyes and find the lost sheep. Repeat. Talk about how Jesus told a story about a shepherd and his lost sheep to teach us how much God loves us.