Free Bible lessons for kids · 5 lessons
Bible lessons about joy for kids
Joy in the Bible is gladness that comes from God, not from things going our way. Paul and Silas sang in prison, and Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.”
These free Bible lessons for kids all teach joy. Each one comes with an animated story film told word for word from the King James Version, a coloring page, a class sheet, a teacher guide with a 45-minute plan, questions with answers and a game.
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”Philippians 4:4 (KJV)
- Lessons
- 5
- Passages
- 2 Samuel 6:12–19, Luke 1:39–56, Luke 2:6–20, Luke 15:1–10, Philippians 4:4–13
- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Each lesson
- Story film (KJV), coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
- Cost
- Free: no subscription, no cost per child, no sign-up to teach
The lessons: 5 stories about joy
David Dances Before the LORD
2 Samuel 6:12–19 · story film
King David heard that the LORD had blessed the house of Obed-edom because of the ark of God, so he went and brought the ark up to the city of David with gladness. David danced before the LORD with all his might, and all Israel brought up the ark with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. When the ark was set in its place, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD and gave every one bread, meat and wine before they went home.
Big idea: We can worship God with all our heart and with gladness.
Memory verse:
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psalm 100:2 (KJV)Ask: What did David bring up into the city of David? The ark of God (2 Samuel 6:12).
Game: Worship Parade (about 10 minutes)
Mary Visits Elisabeth
Luke 1:39–56 · story film
Mary hurried to the hill country to visit her cousin Elisabeth. When Elisabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped for joy, and Mary sang praise to God.
Big idea: God’s good news makes us want to praise Him.
Memory verse:
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luke 1:46–47 (KJV)Ask: Who did Mary go to visit? Her cousin Elisabeth.
Game: Leap for Joy (about 8 minutes)
The Christmas Story
Luke 2:6–20 · Matthew 1:21 · story film
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger. Angels told shepherds the good news, and the shepherds came with haste to find the baby, just as the angel had said.
Big idea: Jesus came to be our Saviour.
Memory verse:
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 (KJV)Ask: Where did Mary lay baby Jesus? In a manger, because there was no room in the inn.
Game: Shepherds, Come with Haste! (about 10 minutes)
The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin
Luke 15:1–10 · Matthew 18:12–14 · story film
Jesus told of a shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep to find the one that was lost, and of a woman who swept her house to find one lost coin. Both called their friends to rejoice.
Big idea: Heaven rejoices when one person comes back to God.
Memory verse:
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:7 (KJV)Ask: How many sheep did the shepherd have? One hundred.
Game: Lost Coin Sweep (about 10 minutes)
Rejoice in the Lord
Philippians 4:4–13 · story film
Writing from prison, Paul told the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord always, to pray about everything, and to think on good things. He had learned to be content because Christ strengthened him.
Big idea: We can have joy and peace in Jesus in every situation.
Memory verse:
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13 (KJV)Ask: Where was Paul when he wrote this letter? In prison.
Game: Joy Jar (about 12 minutes)
Tips for teaching joy
- Preschool: Sing a happy praise song and say, “Rejoice in the Lord!”
- Elementary: Ask: what made people in these stories full of joy? Was it things, or God?
- Preteens: Talk about the difference between happiness and joy, using Paul and Silas in Acts 16.
5 weeks of lessons on joy
| Week 1 | David Dances Before the LORD (2 Samuel 6:12–19). We can worship God with all our heart and with gladness. |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | Mary Visits Elisabeth (Luke 1:39–56). God’s good news makes us want to praise Him. |
| Week 3 | The Christmas Story (Luke 2:6–20). Jesus came to be our Saviour. |
| Week 4 | The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin (Luke 15:1–10). Heaven rejoices when one person comes back to God. |
| Week 5 | Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4–13). We can have joy and peace in Jesus in every situation. |
Each week: welcome and pray, show the story film, talk through the questions, learn the memory verse, then color the page or do the class sheet.
Verses to learn: joy
“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”
Psalm 100:2 · David Dances Before the LORD
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”
Luke 1:46–47 · Mary Visits Elisabeth
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11 · The Christmas Story
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7 · The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13 · Rejoice in the Lord
Questions people ask
What does the Bible teach kids about joy?
Joy in the Bible is gladness that comes from God, not from things going our way. Paul and Silas sang in prison, and Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4, KJV)
Which Bible stories teach joy?
David Dances Before the LORD (2 Samuel 6:12–19), Mary Visits Elisabeth (Luke 1:39–56), The Christmas Story (Luke 2:6–20), The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin (Luke 15:1–10), Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4–13).
What is the difference between joy and happiness?
Happiness depends on what happens to us; joy comes from the Lord, so Christians can rejoice even in hard times (Philippians 4:4; Acts 16:25).
How do I teach joy to preschoolers?
Sing a happy praise song and say, “Rejoice in the Lord!”
Are these lessons free?
Yes. Every lesson, film, coloring page, class sheet and game is free for churches, families and schools, with no subscription, no cost per child and no sign-up needed to teach.
Which Bible translation is used?
The films and memory verses show the King James Version word for word. In the lessons you can switch the verses to the Berean Standard Bible, the ESV or dozens of other English Bibles, every verse is labelled with its translation, and tapping a verse on the film opens its whole chapter.
More free lessons
Bible lessons about prayer for kidsBible lessons about forgiveness for kidsBible lessons about courage for kidsBible lessons about faith for kidsBible lessons about trusting God for kidsBible lessons about obedience for kidsBible lessons about God’s promises for kidsBible lessons about God’s love for kidsAll 201 Bible lessonsBible coloring pagesBible memory verses for kidsBible games for kidsSaul and David