My Wonder Studio

Proverb: A glad heart makes a cheerful face.1

Joy comes from deep in your heart. It is through joy that you can be happy even when things do not go the way you had hoped. God gives you this joy. It comes from His love for you and the certainty that you can have because He will always be with you. He will care for you.

Being joyful does not mean that you are always excited or bubbling with laughter. Joy is the contentment and peace that you feel in your heart, and it comes from God.

The joy you receive from God will be your strength2 and your confidence. It will show on your face—in the happiness shining from your eyes, in your smile, and in your cheerful communications.

Use kind words to help you resolve your conflict. Talking about what has upset you and listening to the other person’s side can help you to find a positive solution that will end the conflict and strengthen your friendship.

How to assemble: Cut out the cube, then fold along the dashed lines. Glue the tabs to the inside of the cube as shown in the diagram.

How to use: When you don’t know how to fix a conflict, roll the “Conflict Resolution Cube,” then use the solution you land on to help you resolve your conflict. For example, if you and your sibling can’t agree on what game to play, roll the cube. If it lands on “Make a deal,” you can make a deal with each other that one of you choose the game this time, and then the other one will choose it the next time.

Proverb: A person who quickly gets angry causes trouble. But a person who controls his temper stops a quarrel.¹

Learning to work out your differences with good communication and listening is how you resolve conflicts. Sometimes this is not easy, especially if you disagree with a friend or sibling, and it can cause you to feel angry or frustrated. It is okay to be upset when things go wrong, but acting in anger will not fix the problem.

Use kind words to help you resolve your conflict. Gently and considerately talk with your friend or sibling about what has upset you and why, and then discuss potential solutions without blaming each other. Ask your parent or teacher for help if you are having a hard time finding a solution. Talking about what has upset you and listening to the other person’s side can help you to find a positive solution that will end the conflict and strengthen your friendship.

Bible Character Highlight

Abraham and his nephew Lot both had large flocks of sheep, but they were having some problems. Their combined flocks were too many and could not graze and water at the same time. This was making those watching the sheep frustrated and angry. Instead of allowing these difficult circumstances to continue to cause the shepherds to fight about it, Abraham and Lot talked together. They came to a solution that would give each flock of sheep the grazing land and water they needed and end the conflict.

Read about Abraham and Lot solving their problem in Genesis 13:5–11.

Footnote:
1 Proverbs 15:18 ICB

Have fun assembling this diorama of “The Boy Who Cried ‘Wolf’!” Once assembled, you can retell the story in your own words as a reminder of the importance of honesty.

A shepherd boy, bored while watching the sheep, thought of a plan to bring the villagers to him.

“Wolf! Wolf!” he cried. He hoped the villagers would come running to chase away the wolf.

The villagers came, but there was no wolf. The shepherd boy laughed. The villagers left angrily.

Soon the shepherd boy was bored, so again he cried, “Wolf! Wolf!”

Once again, the villagers came running to help, but still there was no wolf.

Honesty is when you speak the truth and your actions are truthful. Even when it is difficult, honesty is always the right thing to do. When you are honest, people will trust and respect you.

Read about Zacchaeus and Jesus in Luke 19:1–10.