Be Happy No Matter What

Host

Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! It’s always lots of fun when you visit.

Co-Host

I have an idea for a fun game. I will make a face, and I want you to guess what I feel.

Host

Hmm, do you think our friend feels happy? Sad? What does he/she feel? (Pause) I agree, he/she looks angry.

Co-Host

You got it right. Would you like to try it again?

Host

You did a great job! This time, you make a face, and let’s see if we can guess how you feel. (Call out the different emotions you see in the audience) Today we get to discover with Conductor Carl how to choose a good attitude, even when we don’t feel like it.

Co-Host

That sounds kind of hard to do. I can’t wait to find out more!

Host

Then let’s be sure to turn on our listening ears, so we won’t miss anything. If you’re ready to discover more about God, say, “Choo-choo!”

Host

Mia is not having a fun morning. Have you ever woken up in a grumpy mood?

Co-Host

Let’s pretend to wake up and do the things we do in the morning. Stretch out your arms and yawn. Wipe your sleepy eyes. (Act out waking up) Maybe we should eat breakfast. Pretend to pour yourself a big bowl of cereal. (Pretend to pour)

Host

Take a big bite. (Pretend to eat cereal) I think we’re awake. Even if you wake up feeling grumpy, you can make the choice be joyful. Let’s put our hands to our ears and listen to the Big Point again,

Host

Be Happy No Matter What!

Co-Host

Being joyful is a choice that everyone can make. Let’s use our imaginations to think about how we can choose to be happy, even when something bad happens. What does this picture show?

Host

You’re right; he is getting a shot. How do you feel when you have to get a shot? It makes me scared. Let’s make a scared face and say, “Ow!”

Co-Host

You can choose to be happy, even when you get a shot. God can help us think peaceful thoughts. We can remember how much He cares for us. Let’s switch our scared face to a calm face. (Pause) What is happening here?

Host

She had an accident on her bicycle. Let’s stand and pretend to ride a bicycle. Pretend to pedal faster. Faster! Even faster! Oh no, we’re losing control. Crash back to the floor. Crashing would make me sad and maybe frustrated.

Co-Host

We can choose joy because we know that God is with us and He helps us.

Host

The Holy Spirit grows the good fruit of joy inside of us when we follow God.

Co-Host

I hope that Mia can make that choice.

Host

Was it wise for Mia to act so grumpy? No, that was not a good choice. I’m thankful that Conductor Carl reminded her that God helps us choose joy. Let’s say the Big Point again,

Host

Be Happy No Matter What!

Co-Host

Does the Big Point mean that nothing bad will ever happen to us? If something bad happens, can we still be happy no matter what?

Host

It would be nice if nothing scary or hurtful happened, but sometimes it does. Listen to what the Bible says in the Big Verse.

Host

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

Co-Host

I was hoping that the Bible said nothing bad would ever happen. How do we think of problems as joy?

Host

We use our faith. Faith is believing that God can do what He says in the Bible. Our faith helps us trust God, even when bad things happen. It’s like how an umbrella helps us when it is raining.

Co-Host

Let’s pretend to open an umbrella and look around at the storm clouds. Do you see all the rain? Let’s tap our fingers on our legs, like raindrops falling. (Tap your fingers individually) Can you make the sound of thunder? Let’s clap our hands together loudly.

Host

The umbrella doesn’t stop the storm, but it does protect you in the rain. Sometimes God stops bad things from happening. Other times He’ll protect you instead. I have a friend who will stand in this pool and hold up the umbrella.

Co-Host

We don’t want him/her to get wet, so I’ll pour these ping pong balls over the top.

Host

See, the umbrella protected him/her. Even if something bad happens, we can choose to be happy because we know that God is helping us. Let’s worship God now!

Let’s bow our heads, close our eyes and talk to God using our Big Verse. We’ll turn it into a prayer. Repeat after me, “When trouble comes, I will choose joy.” (Repeat 3x) When you pray that, you get to use your faith to believe that God will help you. Let’s worship our God, who helps us.

Host

I think that Mia will enjoy her nap. She made the right choice by choosing to be happy even when she felt sleepy. Mia followed our Big Point. Let’s practice it again,

Host

Be Happy No Matter What!

Co-Host

We can use the Big Point this week when we do the Big Do.

Host

This week’s Big Do is to have everyone in your family choose a movie to watch. Put each person’s choice in a hat and draw one out to watch. If your movie doesn’t get chosen, make the choice to still watch it with a smile.

Co-Host

Which movie will you choose? When I watch a movie, I love to eat snacks. What are your favorite snacks?

Host

I like popcorn! Let’s play a fun game using popcorn. I have some friends who will play on stage. I will pull this string and then pass it to my friend. You have to pass it to the next person as fast as you can because at some point the popcorn will pop out of the box. Let’s play.

Host

That was lots of fun. I hope you don’t make that big of a mess when your family does the Big Do this week!

Co-Host

Even if I don’t get my way, I will watch the movie with a smile.

Host

I think the Jr. Conductors will, too. Let’s say our Big Point again,

Host

Be Happy No Matter What!

Host

• Did our Big Point say Be Sad No Matter What or Be Happy No Matter What?

• Pretend to slam a heavy jail door. What do you think that would sound like? What do you think a jail door looks like? In our Big Story, who was put in jail for talking about Jesus? Jesus’ friends, the Disciples

• Let’s imagine that we are at a birthday party. Would we act sad or joyful? How would it sound when we celebrate? How did Jesus’ friends, the Disciples, act when they were put in jail? Did they choose to be sad, mad, or happy? Happy

• What kind of snacks do you like to eat? Pretend to stuff a giant handful of chips into your mouth. Chew it all up, like this. Puff out your cheeks like they’re full. What does the Big Do for this week say to do together? Watch a movie If your movie doesn’t get chosen, will you choose to be happy or pout?

• What does our Big Verse say? James 1:2 (NIrV), “You will face all kinds of (pets / trouble). When you do, think of it as pure joy.”