Children Sunday School: Where Does Joy Come From?
The word joy can mean different things to different people. For some people, joy is simply happiness or a feeling of well-being. However, the word can take on a deeper meaning if it is considered within the biblical context. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, it is often used to describe the experience of God’s presence, love, and grace. This type of deep delight is often described as being beyond human understanding and transcending all earthly pleasure. For Christians, it is a core principle of our faith and is closely linked to the idea of hope.
Our Sunday School Teacher Vanessa introduced the word joy to her class on the first Sunday of June, and also discussed the source of true contentment. In the letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul frequently mentions the concept of joy. For example, in Philippians 4:4, he writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” In this verse, Paul is urging the believers in Philippi to find their satisfaction in God rather than in their circumstances. This is because our circumstances are always changing, but God is constant. Additionally, Paul mentions joy in Philippians 4:8 when he writes about thinking on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable.” By focusing on these things, we can maintain a sense of deep contentment even in difficult times. Finally, in Philippians 4:13, Paul declares that he has learned to be content in all circumstances because he knows that God will provide for him. This type of contentment brings true joy because it comes from knowing and trusting God.
Vanessa introduced the letter to the Philippians with an interactive video courtesy of Phil Vischer. The video can be found on Rightnowmedia