YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON JOY
CLICK HERE FOR A YOUTH GROUP GAME ON JOY.
This lesson is part of a larger series from Youth Pastor Co called “James I.” We have an entire sermon series library loaded with resources like this at YouthPastor.co.
Lesson Overview
- Even in the midst of trials, God gives us so many reasons to have joy! In this youth group lesson on joy, we dive into what Scripture says about how to cultivate joy in our daily lives.
Breakdown
- Main Scripture: Romans 12:12; James 1:1-4; Romans 5:3-5
- Bottom Line: God gives us joy in the middle of trials.
Capture: Grab their attention with an illustration.
- Illustration/Story: Have you ever met someone who is consistently happy regardless of what’s going on in their life? Share a story about the most positive person you know. They could have gotten in a car wreck, lost their dog, and broke their leg — but they are still smiling! Wouldn’t it be nice to have that kind of joy in our lives? Can you imagine having a joy that doesn’t flinch to anything going on in your life?
Connect: Connect them to God’s word.
- Tension Question: How do you have joy when you walk through hard things? It seems impossible! Tonight, I believe that Scripture can teach us not only how to walk through trials — but how to have joy in the midst of them!
- Scripture: Romans 12:12 — It’s hard for us to rejoice, be patient, and pray often during extreme trials!
Consider: What does this mean for us today?
- Scripture: James 1:1-4 —Scripture does not say if you experience trials — but when you experience them. It’s a guarantee: you’re going to walk through trials in your life!
- The greek word for “consider” is a financial term that means “to evaluate.” Another way of saying this is: determine the value of your trial.
- Ask yourself: what do you value in your life? We often ask God to make us into the person we’re supposed to be, but we don’t want the discomfort associated with it!
- The fact is: God will use trials to shape us, mature us, and perfect us into who we are supposed to be. When we recognize the value of the trial — we can accept joy from the Lord. This trial isn’t purposeless. It’s building us into our purpose!
- Bottom Line: God gives us joy in the middle of trials.
Collide: How do we apply this in our lives?
- Scripture: Romans 5:3-5 — Like James 1:4, Scripture encourages us to allow the hardships to produce the right things in our lives.
- Enduring in difficulty is hard — and you absolutely cannot do it without the power of the Lord. Sheer willpower will only cause us more frustration when we fail.
- If we want to see our trials as God’s way of perfecting us, we have to change the way we talk about them. Instead of complaining and feeling discouraged, thank God!
- It’s not easy — and the things you walk through are real and very hard, but God gives us an opportunity to experience joy even in the middle of the pain.
- Practice praying: “God, thank you for this trial. I know you are using it to perfect me. Help me respond with joy and gratitude because you’re at work!”
- Application: Thank God for using trials to perfect you.
Call: How do we respond to the message?
- Altar moment: Choose joy in the middle of your trials. Thank God for the opportunity to grow you. Surrender to His perfect will that is perfecting you in the process.
- Small Group Questions:
- Have you ever met a super joyful and positive person? Why do you think they are consistently in a good mood?
- Why is it hard for us to have joy in the middle of our trials?
- How can you recognize the value of a trial when you are in the middle of it?
- How can you thank God for your trials this week and receive His joy?