Note to parent or teacher: Here is a lesson plan that you can break up into two or three 15- to 30-minute sittings. It highlights the lesson objective: “Learn that obedience can’t be decided on the basis of one’s desires or feelings, but rather that it is a habit one must cultivate in order to live a safe and happy life." (Character Building: Values and Virtues: Obedience-1e)

Read “Experience Joy,” and then take a closer look at each action found in the text by reading the accompanying scripture and article, as well as discussing how the action can make one happy.

• “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body” (Proverbs 16:24 NLT).

Read “Dora and the Garden.”

Ask the children to think of a time when they were pleasant and how it made them and others happy. If you know of a time when being unpleasant made things difficult, talk about a more pleasant way to have handled that situation.

• “I have stored up your word in my heart” (Psalm 119:11 ESV).

Read “A Promise for Every Need” or “Remember Roy.”

Talk about how memorized scripture can bring happiness into one’s life.

• “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ESV).

Read “Be More Like Jesus.”

Ask the children to think of things Jesus did that would have made Him happy because He saw that it made others happy. For example, when He prayed for someone, or when He cooked for His disciples (John 21:9).

• “Pray for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1 NLT).

Pray one of these prayers for your friends and loved ones.

• “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12 ESV).

Pray a prayer from “Pray a Way: Respect.”

• “Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 AKJV).

Read “Focus on the Donut.”

Look for the positive side of a recent disappointment that one can be happy about.

• “An encouraging word cheers a person up” (Proverbs 12:25 NLT).

Listen to or read “You Are God’s Ray of Light.”

Make a plan to encourage another, and talk about how that will bring happiness to the receiver as well as to the giver.

• “Be kind and compassionate to one another” (Ephesians 4:32 NIV).

Pray the second prayer of “Pray a Way: Easter.”

• “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9 ESV).

Read “We’re Having Guests.”

Recall a recent visit from someone, and talk about the joy all experienced by making the visitor feel welcome.

Read “Once Upon Planet Nog: Skills Exhibition.”

Look ahead with the children at the joy they will experience by progressing in a new skill they are currently studying or practicing. For example, they will be able to play a song on the piano that will make Grandma happy.

• “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20 NLT).

Read “The Fountain of Believers.”

Discuss what they like about a having a Bible class when friends join in.

• Sing songs of praise to Jesus! “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1 AKJV).

Sing or dance along with “Joyful Singing.”

• “The Lord is close to all who call on him” (Psalm 145:18 NLT).

Read “I Love to Listen.”

Silently take time to talk to Jesus for one minute. Have the children reflect on the peace and joy that comes from knowing Jesus heard them. “He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29).

Conclude by rereading the last page of “Experience Joy.”