Curriculum
A Recipe for Happiness
Memory Verse:
“Those who want to do right more than anything else are happy. God will fully satisfy them.” (Matthew 5:6)
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Jesus freely shares how to be happy and content in Him. In the Beatitudes, Jesus challenges many of the thoughts and ways of the world in exchange for eternal happiness.
Scripture Summary
Crowds of people followed Jesus wherever He went. They wanted to hear from Him, learn from Him, and see miracles performed by Him. This was the case as Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount.
Initially, Jesus’ words appear to contradict each other; this was fairly common in the teachings of Jesus. His words contradicted those of the world and those of the current religious leaders. He came to seek and save the lost. He came to invite others into relationship with Him, not just keep a religious checklist of dos and don’ts.
Biblical scholars have identified at least four ways to interpret the Beatitudes.
- A Code of Ethics: The disciples were becoming more popular as those closest to Jesus. Jesus was warning them, and all believers, to not fall into the world’s trap.
- A Compare and Contrast List: Each statement in the Beatitudes sets lasting Kingdom values against temporary worldly values.
- A Comparison of Faith: These verses take a look at the faith of the Pharisees against the faith that Jesus desires.
- A Fulfillment of the Old Testament: This list shows how the expectations in the Old Testament will be fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry.
In Jesus’ experience, “blessed” meant the reality of joy and contentment in spite of worldly circumstances. His words are timeless for the disciples, for those in the crowd listening, and for us today.
Why Is This Important
Jesus’ way is best. His way often contradicts the ways and methods of the world. But we can embrace Jesus’ teachings as we seek Him and a life of happiness and contentment.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
More Than a To-Do List
“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)
The Beatitudes is a beloved passage of Scripture that begins Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. The passage helps us focus on heaven and eternal blessings, rather than our temporary sorrows.
Jesus lists a number of character traits–the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the merciful, the peacemakers–that could describe what a Christ-follower looks like. I wonder if we could look at this passage not as a “to-do” list, but a “for-whom” list.
In his book The Good and Beautiful Life: Putting on the Character of Christ, James Bryan Smith said, “The Beatitudes, far from being a new set of virtues that further divide the religious haves and have nots, are words of hope and healing to those who have been marginalized.”
The downcast, or poor in spirit, were often overlooked. Those who lost a loved one were typically cut off from society as they mourned.
After a time, they slowly re-entered society. In these times, it was more respected to uphold religious law than to show mercy. Each of these were marginalized in Jesus’ time.
But Jesus’ invitation is for everyone: Jew, Gentile, the poor in spirit, those mourning, the meek, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted.
We don’t find happiness when we follow Jesus’ teaching in our own strength. We find happiness when we extend this invitation to others– especially those marginalized.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for inviting me into Your family. Please help me live like a child of the King and share your happiness with those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
“Those who want to do right more than anything else are happy. God will fully satisfy them.” (Matthew 5:6)
Use a call and response to help children learn today’s memory verse. Form two groups. Have the first group say one part of the verse and then the second group will respond. Do this several times.
Group 1: “Those who Group 2: want to do right
Group 1: more than anything else Group 2: are happy.
Group 1: God will Group 2: fully
Group 1: satisfy them.” Group 2: (Matthew 5:6)
Then switch the group’s parts and do this again several times.
Group 2: “Those who Group 1: want to do right
Group 2: more than anything else Group 1: are happy.
Group 2: God will Group 1: fully
Group 2: satisfy them.” Group 1: (Matthew 5:6)
Afterward, see if children can say the verse from memory now. Encourage children to share their memory verse with their families at home.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: The “Beatitudes Pictures” for each child
Read Matthew 5:1-12
Give children a “Beatitudes Pictures” coloring sheet and crayons. Explain to kids that they’ll explore each picture and color it one-by-one.
SAY: Jesus has some very special things that we can do to be happy. Your pictures show some of those things so let’s talk about them.
(Point to the girl who’s praying. Invite kids to color it in as you discuss.)
ASK:
- What is she doing?
- When do you pray?
- What do you pray about?
SAY: Jesus said in the Bible that we will be happy when we know that we need God’s help in our lives. When we pray, we are telling God that we need His help.
(Point to the sad child. Invite kids to color it in as you discuss.)
ASK:
- Why do you think this child is sad?
- What makes you sad?
- What do you do when you’re sad?
SAY: Jesus said that when we are sad, God comforts us and we will feel happy.
(Point to the child with the blue ribbon. Invite kids to color it in as you discuss.)
ASK:
- This ribbon says do right.
- What are some things you do when you do right?
- What do you think this child did right?
SAY: Jesus said that we will be happy when we want to do the right thing all the time.
(Point to the child with the bandage. Invite kids to color it in as you discuss.)
SAY: This child is helping someone who is hurt. Tell about a time someone helped you when you got hurt.
SAY: This child is showing mercy. Jesus said that people who show mercy and help others will be happy.
Save the completed pictures for the craft below.
Snack
Happy Trails Snack
You’ll Need: Large bowl, Large spoon, Bible, Dixie cups, Ingredients for the Nut-Free Trail Mix:, Chex Mix M&M candies Pretzel sticks, Yogurt covered raisins, Cheez Its Honeycomb cereal
Help children follow these steps to make their Happy Trails Snack:
- In a large bowl, mix together…
- Chex Mix
- M&M candies Pretzel sticks
- Yogurt covered raisins Cheez Its
- Honeycomb cereal
- Stir well.
- Dip your Dixie cup into the Trail Mix.
- Enjoy.
Game
Happy Freeze Game
You’ll Need: A recording of the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
Gather children in an open space. Play or sing “If You’re Happy and You Know It” while the children move and dance around in a happy way.
When the music stops, the children are to freeze with a happy look on their face (the bigger the smile the better), until the music starts to play again.
Play several times and then ask children:
- What makes you happy?
- What did Jesus say will make us happy?
Craft
Beatitude Books
You’ll Need: The completed “Beatitudes Pictures” for each child, Four half sheets of construction paper per child, Glue stick, Hole Punch, 6-inch ribbon
Help children follow these steps to make their books:
- Cut apart the four pictures from the “Beatitudes Pictures.”
- Glue each picture to a half sheet of construction paper (centered).
- Lay the pages on top of each other as book pages.
- Along the left side, hole punch two holes through all the pages.
- For each hole, insert the ribbon and tie a knot and then a bow. Encourage children to take their booklets home to remember what
Jesus said about what it takes to be really happy.
Prayer
Mercy Prayers
SAY: There are many things in the Bible lesson today about what it takes to be happy. One thing Jesus said will make us happy is when we have mercy for people who are hurting. That means we care that they are sad and we want to help them. We can show mercy by praying for people. Is there someone you know who is hurting and needs help?
Pray for the people the children mention. Close by thanking God for Jesus’ recipe for happiness in the Bible today.
