Curriculum

In Search of Happiness

In Search of Happiness Go to Curriculum multi-week pack

Bible Background

What Kids Will Learn

Jesus preached the Beatitudes to His disciples and large crowds to tell them that the gospel is for everyone. God’s way isn’t the world’s way, and we can find true happiness in Jesus.

Scripture Summary

Biblical scholars believe that Luke’s account was from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). The sermon was one of the longest accounts of how to live a life for Christ. Jesus began this sermon with the Beatitudes. The word “Beatitude” means “blessing” in Latin. Each one places a kingdom value right against a worldly value.

During this time, riches were seen as God’s favor. And socioeconomic classes were built right around this perceived truth. The poor and those who were hungry were cut off from society. The hunger Jesus speaks of could be physical hunger or a spiritual hunger. Either way, even the hungry have a place in God’s kingdom.

Similar to the poor and hungry, those in mourning were also isolated. And those who were hated were also excluded and insulted.

While this list may seem like a checklist of right living, Jesus offers the Beatitudes as a declaration that the gospel is for everyone—even the marginalized. It is only through Jesus that we find true happiness.

Jesus went on to explain the other side. While there is no sin in being rich, the love of money is sinful. And Jesus says that the rich already have their reward. Those who are well fed or laughing will surely find themselves hungry or mourning. There were many false prophets in the Old Testament who were praised by kings and leaders. People chose popularity over truth.

Why Is This Important

Jesus loved people—all people. He intentionally sought out those who were cast aside, forgotten, and despised. He wants everyone, including us, to find true happiness in Him.

Teacher Devotion

Scripture

“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (Galatians 5:1)

We celebrate freedom throughout the year. Designated holidays help remind us of the privilege of living in a free country—and the costs paid for us to enjoy such freedom. Our country is also learning more about how to ensure freedom for everyone in America.

And Jesus offered an even greater freedom. He was willing to come to earth, live among us, be tortured and crucified, and rise from the dead, and sin no longer has any hold on us. We’re free.

What does freedom look like? Ruth Chou Simons, in her book “GraceLaced,” lists examples such as running unhindered, loud laughs, and a mountaintop overlook.

I’ll gladly add these items to the list of what freedom looks like:

  • Deep breaths
  • Complete thoughts in the moment without interruption
  • Belly laughs that rival the hardest core workouts
  • An unhurried pace
  • Light, genuine smiles
  • Time together with people void of selfish agendas, demands of others, or judgment
  • Lack of regrets

I love to laugh. But in an over-the-top season of family milestones, celebrations, hardships, surprises, demands, invitations, and events, I find myself laughing less and focusing solely on the next task to complete. It takes a mindset shift to draw me away from what wears me down and toward Him who offers freedom.

Spend some time pondering your answers to these questions:

  • What would you add to the list of what freedom looks like?
  • How have you appreciated freedom in the last month? How have you taken it for granted?
  • What helps you remember your freedom in Christ?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for freedom. Help me remember, in both the big events and mundane tasks, that I am free indeed. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Get the full Sunday school lesson plan

  • Bible Memory Verse
  • Interactive Bible Experience
  • Animated video with companion questions

Bible Memory Verse

You’ll Need: Bibles

“Looking at His disciples, He said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.’” (Luke 6:20-22)

Lead kids in these steps to learn today’s Bible memory verse:

  • Open your Bible to Luke 6:20-22.
  • Read aloud the Bible verse several times and invite kids to repeat after you.
  • Form two groups, and have each group sit on opposite sides of the room.
  • Invite one group to be the “blessed” group. They will read/recite all of the phrases that begin with “blessed.” (Example: “Blessed are you who are poor.”)
  • Have the remaining group be the “for” group. They will complete each sentence starting with the word “for.”
  • Invite groups to recite their portion of each sentence back and forth several times.

SAY: You did a great job with the Bible memory verse! Today we’re going to learn more about what it means to find happiness in Jesus.

Interactive Bible Experience

You’ll Need: Bible, Masking tape

Get Ready: Before the activity, tape a line down the center of the classroom.

  • Open your Bible to Luke 6:17-26.
  • Read aloud the passage.

SAY: Today we’re learning that true happiness is found in Jesus alone. Another word for happy is “blessed.” Jesus teaches us that we are blessed when we trust in Him. We can have a happy heart even when what’s happening around us makes us unhappy.

  • Invite kids to line up on one side of the taped line.
  • Explain that you’re going to call out different scenarios. If the action sounds like it comes from a happy heart, kids will hop across the center line. If it does not sound like it’s from a happy heart, they will stay in place.
  • Reset after each scenario so kids always start on the same side together.
    • Sharing your toys. (happy heart)
    • Being kind to someone when they are mean to you. (happy heart)
    • Whining until you get your way. (unhappy heart)
    • Holding the door for a stranger. (happy heart)
    • Sneaking snacks without asking. (unhappy heart)
    • Cleaning your room without being asked. (happy heart)
    • Saying mean things to your parents. (unhappy heart)
    • Inviting someone new to play with you (happy heart)
    • Giving away your toys to someone who has none. (happy heart)

ASK:

  • Tell about a time you had a happy heart even though your circumstances were hard.
  • What is one way you can have a happy heart this week?

SAY: Great job choosing a happy heart! Jesus tells us we are blessed when we follow and trust Him. Let’s learn more about that now.

Snack

Happy Heart Snack

You’ll Need: Paper plates, Napkins, Pretzels

Get Ready: Have kids clean their hands.

Follow these steps for the “Happy Heart” snacks:

  • Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, and several pretzels.
  • Remind kids of Luke 6:21: “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.”

SAY: God wants us to be hungry for Him. When we’re hungry for His Word and His presence, He will always satisfy.

  • Invite kids to use their pretzels to create a heart shape on their plate.
  • Enjoy.

ASK:

  • What does it mean to be hungry for God?

SAY: Great job making happy hearts on your plate! When we love and follow Jesus, we can find joy and a happy heart in every circumstance.

Game

Leap for Joy Relay

To play the “Leap for Joy Relay,” have kids follow these steps:

  • Invite kids to line up at one end of the classroom.
  • Explain that you are going to call out some things that might make your heart happy. (Examples: Spending time with family, worshipping at church, and praying to Jesus.) If that thing also makes a child’s heart happy, he or she will leap as far as possible.
  • If kids leap and don’t land on both feet, they have to return to the start.
  • The first person to leap all the way to the other side of the room wins.
  • Play several rounds as time allows.

ASK:

  • What makes you happy?
  • What does Jesus say will make us happy?

SAY: You did some great leaping! We can have true happiness in Jesus because He is the friend who will never leave, our comforter when we are sad, and our provider when we have nothing. Now that is something we can leap for joy about!

Craft

Happy Heart Pouches

You’ll Need: Round paper plates, Markers, Hole punch, Stapler, Yarn or ribbon

Have kids follow these steps to make the “Happy Heart Pouches” craft:

  • Give each child two paper plates and set out markers to share.
  • Lead kids in folding both of their paper plates in half and decorating the outsides with markers.
  • Help kids open one of the folded plates slightly and insert the other folded plate into it at an angle. Align the bottom corners. (The round- ed sides of both plates should be facing each other.)
  • Help kids staple the front side and back side of their hearts. (Be sure to insert the stapler inside the fold to avoid stapling the pouches together.)
  • Finish the craft by punching holes in the top right and left sides of the heart and stringing yarn or ribbon through to make a strap.

SAY: True happiness is found in Jesus alone. Take these crafts home as a reminder that only God can make our hearts truly happy.

Prayer

Happy Heart Prayers

You’ll Need: “Happy Heart Pouches” craft, Index cards, Markers

Follow these steps to lead kids in “Happy Heart Prayers.”

  • Give each child an index card and a marker.
  • Invite kids to draw a picture or write on their index card about some- thing they can do to have a happy heart this week.
  • Have kids pray silently and ask God to help them have a happy heart.
  • When they’ve finished praying, kids can put their index cards in their “Happy Heart Pouches.”
  • Close in prayer.

PRAY: Dear God, thank You for being our true source of happiness. It’s in You alone that we can have happy hearts and be satisfied. Help us have a hunger for You and Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.