Be Happy No Matter What

Host

Welcome to the Lab!

Co-Host

We’re learning all about how the Holy Spirit can grow good things inside of us when we follow Jesus. We call those good things the Fruit of the Spirit.

Host

Today we will dig into the Bible and discover another attitude that develops in us when we walk in step with the Holy Spirit.

Co-Host

We’re learning to spot the right kind of fruit in our lives. In fact, let’s see how well you can spot the difference in these two pictures of fruit. We have two teams who will compete to find all the differences.

Host

Use the laser pointer to point to them as you find them. The audience can feel free to shout suggestions to the teams.

Host

Great job to our winners. Let’s get ready to check in at the lab. But first, tell someone one thing that always makes you laugh.

Host

Last week we heard about love. Let’s check out today’s Big Point and discover what kinds of good things the Holy Spirit grows in us.

Co-Host

Get ready. After we count down from three, you get to read the Big Point.

Co-Host

Let’s all say it together, Be Happy No Matter What!

Host

When the Holy grows good fruit in us, He enables us to choose joy in any situation. The Bible is full of verses about this.

Host

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIrV) says, “But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself.”

Co-Host

You can choose joy? I thought it was something that you just felt.

Host

We all experience happy feelings, but true joy is an attitude that you choose. It’s how you choose to see the world around you. That’s why you can have it anytime and anywhere. Let’s see how well you can control your attitudes. Everyone, stand up and find a partner nearby. We’re going to have a 10 second contest to see who can make their partner laugh or smile. Ready? Go!

Co-Host

True joy comes from God, so our joy isn’t because we’re happy that bad things might happen. Our joy is that God is with us, no matter what happens.

Host

Remembering what He has done and how much He loves you helps you to keep choosing a positive attitude. Let’s see if Sophia can make that choice.

Co-Host

This lesson is a great one to remember when things aren’t quite going your way at school. Let’s say it again,

Co-Host

Be Happy No Matter What!

Host

Whether things go your way or not, you can choose joy, in any situation, when you trust God.

Co-Host

That sounds great, but it’s tougher sometimes to actually do it. Maybe we should choose an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse. I need some Bible truth to help me.

Co-Host

After we count down from three, your job is to read the verse.

Host

James 1:2 (NIrV) says, “You will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy.” No matter who you are, everyone faces some kind of trouble.

Co-Host

I was hoping the verse might say that my life will be all roses and rainbows.

Host

That’s not how it works. Trouble will come our way. What makes the difference is our attitude. We have some assistants to help us with a demonstration.

Host

These volunteers are going to toss dodge balls at this kid. (To the child) Your job is to try to dodge as many of them as you can.

Co-Host

That was hard to dodge, kind of like how it’s hard to avoid trouble.

Host

You can’t stop it from coming, and the trouble isn’t always the result of bad choices you make. The Bible says in

Host

Ephesians 6:10 (NIrV), “Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Co-Host

Faith is trusting in God, so when we trust God, we protect ourselves from the enemy. If we trust God to take care of us, then we can have joy when trouble strikes.

Host

Exactly. Try it again, but this time we’re going to give our contestant a shield. Let’s see how he/she does now.

Co-Host

That makes a big difference.

Host

It sure does! And with the shield of faith up to protect us, we can follow our Big Point, and be happy, no matter what. Let’s stand and worship God.

Let’s all stand to our feet. Think for a moment about the biggest problem you’ve faced in the last couple of weeks. This trouble might be trying to keep you down, but today I want you to know that God can help you float right to the top. Let’s do something the early church did when they faced trouble; let’s praise God. It’s a great way to remind ourselves of the wonderful God we serve. He’s the One who gives us joy, even when trouble comes.

Host

Can you believe that the Apostles were joyful after being beaten? It sure helps me to remember that I can always choose joy when I walk in step with the Holy Spirit.

Co-Host

Our Big Point is true. You can

Co-Host

Be Happy No Matter What!

Host

Let’s check out this week’s Big Do, so we can learn how to apply the Big Point this week.

Co-Host

Here’s what it is: have everyone in your family choose a movie to watch. Put each person’s choice in a hat and draw one out. Challenge everyone to be happy, even if they don’t get their way.

Host

Have you ever been guilty of pouting when you didn’t get to choose what to watch? This week, you can be different. That’s because you have the power to choose joy.

Co-Host

No matter what movie we watch, there’s one item I must have… popcorn. Who loves extra buttery popcorn? Who loves cheesy popcorn? What about caramel popcorn? In this game we have two teams. One player has a popcorn tub on his/her head. The teammates must land as many ping pong balls in the popcorn tub as they can in 60 seconds.

Optional play game music. Play the game.

Host

Great job to our winners. Let’s gather in our small groups and discuss what we’ve learned.

• What is something that makes you happy?

• Share a time this week when you felt sad or angry. What could have helped you choose joy in the middle of that situation?

• How does the Holy Spirit help us to have joy no matter what? He reminds us that God is with us; He reminds us of people who love us and take care of us

• Our Big Point says, Be Happy ______ What! No Matter

• Who were the guys who led the church at the beginning?

  • Apostles

  • Priests

• Who tried to stop the Apostles from teaching about Jesus?

  • Sadducees

  • Philistines

• James 1:2 (NIrV), “You will face all kinds of _______. When you do, think of it as pure joy.”

  • Fun things

  • Trouble

• What Fruit of the Spirit did the Apostles choose after being punished?

  • Anger

  • Joy

• The Apostles quit teaching about Jesus after being punished.

  • True

  • False

• What’s one way you can choose joy when something bad happens?

• Who helps us have joy, no matter what? The Holy Spirit

• Any Christian can produce the Fruit of the Spirit and choose joy.

  • True

  • False

• What is this week’s Big Do?

Put each person’s movie choice in a hat and draw one out. Challenge everyone to be happy, even if they don’t get their way.