Table
SUMMARY: Hebrews 12:1-3; James 1:2-5
Even in the holiday season, we know life is not easy. We endure seasons of struggle or grieve that loved ones aren’t with us, and it hurts. Our God doesn’t shy away from these difficult times; He is ready to be with us in them. Jesus set the example for us as one who held on to hope and joy even in the darkest days of His life—when all His friends left Him and He took on sin and death in our place. He has shown us the way to have joy, no matter what’s happening in and around us.
WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT GOD?
God’s joy is unchanging! While we are often influenced by our emotions, our God is constant and shows us how to have joy even in the darkest times.
As You Go
PARENT KICK-OFF
Share personally what God revealed to you through the sermon.
DISCUSSION with Younger Kids
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What bad things have happened to you or people you love? How do those things make you feel?
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How can we hold on to God’s joy even when bad things happen? Why is it hard to always have joy?
DISCUSSION with Older Kids
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What are some hard parts of life? Have you ever gone through a tough time? How did you feel when you went through it? What did you do?
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How can you hold on to God’s joy when you are facing something hard? What makes that tough to do? How can God’s joy help us in these times?
DISCUSSION with Teens
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What is the hardest thing you have been through? What made it so hard? How did you get through it?
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How do you hold on to God’s joy even when your feelings are overwhelming? How can God’s presence help us when we struggle? How can we have joy even when we are sad?
Rise & Sleep
MEMORY VERSE
“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
PRAYER
