Fruit of the Spirit Monthly Scripture Focus: Joy
As part of our monthly character lessons, we are going through the fruits of the spirit one by one. This month’s character lesson focus is joy.
Follow along with us as you invite and encourage your teens to allow God’s spirit to develop their character. The content of this monthly study is geared for middle and high school students, but feel free to adapt if you wish for younger students. Included are a variety of suggestions to use throughout the month to maintain a focus on developing joy in the Lord.
At the end of this article, you’ll find the complete list of monthly character lessons based on fruits of the spirit, and will be able to click directly through to any additional lessons you wish to access.
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Fruit of the Spirit Passage
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Joy in the Bible
Question: How many times does the word joy appear in the Bible?
Answer: 203 times in the ESV**
**statistics from logos.com. Each translation will have a slightly different count.
Big Picture: How the Bible Talks about Joy
1 // Joy is not dependent on our circumstances
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
2 // Having joy does not eliminate grief in this life
Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. John 16:22
3 // God takes joy in His people
The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring [you] quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17 (HCSB)
What Does the Bible Say about Joy?
Look at the following scriptures and ask these two questions.
Question #1: What do I learn about God and how He views joy from this scripture?
Question #2: Is there any instruction for me in this scripture about how I should live joyfully?
Scriptures about Joy
The Psalms are full of references to joy. I’ve tried to include a variety of scripture, but I would encourage you to spend some time reading through the Psalms this month and looking for the many places the writer uses the words joy, gladness, or rejoice.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place. 1 Chronicles 16:27 (NIV)
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11 (NIV)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8 (NIV)
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Psalm 47:1 (NIV)
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10 (NIV)
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Examples of Joy in Scripture
Look up one or more of the following passages to read a story displaying joy in some way. Ask yourself these two questions.
- How do I see joy in action here?
- What does God want to teach me about joy from this passage?
Passage #1
Luke 15:3-10 (parable of lost sheep)
God experiences great joy when we repent. Joy is deepened and enhanced when we recognize and acknowledge the great chasm between us and God that can only be bridged by Jesus Christ.
Passage #2
Luke 15:11-32 (prodigal son)
The joy of the father in celebrating his son’s return is contrasted with the lack of joy displayed by the older brother. Joy is a choice. The father chose to forgive and rejoice; the brother chose to begrudge and become bitter.
Passage #3
Matthew 28:1-8 (women at the tomb)
The women are described as “afraid yet filled with joy.” They did not let their fear rule the situation, but took action in running to tell others the joyful news.
Examples in Scripture of a Heart Lacking in Joy
Now, look up one or more of the following passages and think about these questions.
- Describe the lack of joy in this story.
- What can we learn from the joylessness we read about in these passages?
Mark 17:22 (rich young ruler)
A man approached Jesus and asked how he could receive eternal life. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction to give up his wealth, he went away sorrowful. We see that choosing build up treasure on earth is not worth the sorrow of giving up the treasure of heaven. Jesus asks us to put Him first. Any time we choose to place something or someone else before Jesus, sorrow is inevitable.
1 Kings 19 (Elijah)
Elijah is as low as he can get in this passage, even asking God to take his life. God first provided for his physical needs. Then, God reveals Himself in a gentle whisper. Finally, God gives Elijah instructions for passing on his responsibilities to another.
If you read back a bit for context, Elijah found himself in a very discouraging situation. The reality of his circumstances didn’t live up to his expectations. God didn’t work in quite the way he anticipated. As followers of Jesus, we must remind ourselves often that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and trust in God’s sovereignty. Otherwise, we risk continual disappointment and dejection that will lead to a loss of joy.
Jeremiah 15:10-21 (Jeremiah)
Jeremiah the prophet is overwhelmed by the message the Lord has given him regarding the people of Israel, and brings to the Lord his abject sorrow. He reflects on God’s words as a source of joy and delight, but seems to struggle with accepting his suffering. God responds with an assurance that he will take care of Jeremiah.
Discouragement is inevitable in this life and we may even feel most discouraged when we experience setbacks and suffering even though we believe we are acting in ways pleasing to God. The solution to our lack of joy is to bring our troubled hearts to the Lord, out in the open, and ask Him to turn our complaints to praise.
Reflection Questions
Now that you’ve read several Bible verses about joy, seen examples of joy in action and examples of being joyless, reflect on the following two questions.
- Would others describe me as a joyful person?
- How can I express this fruit of the spirit—joy—in a practical way in my life this month?
Video Content Related to Joy
Fruit of the Spirit: Joy (YouTube – 412teens.org)
Joy/Chara (Bible Project)
Am I Happy? (RightNow Media – 4-part video series from Sean McDowell)
Music Related to the Joy of the Lord
Add some of these to your regular music playlist this month. Listen while you study, clean your room, or take a walk.
Leaning On the Everlasting Arms (YouTube – Reawaken Hymns)
I Stand Amazed in the Presence (YouTube – Reawaken Hymns)
Joy of the Lord (YouTube – Rend Collective)
Joy (YouTube – For King & Country)
All Joy No Stress (YouTube – Rhett Walker)
Psalm 16 (YouTube – Psalms Project)
If you choose to study joy in December, there are obviously a huge number of Christmas hymns and songs with the theme of joy!
Comfort and Joy (YouTube – Tasha Layton)
Prayer Related to Joy
Your relationship with God is deepened by not only listening to His word, but communicating back to Him through prayer.
Following are prayers you can personalize and pray from your heart. Your words don’t have to be fancy. Simply thank God for His provision and ask Him to give you a deep and abiding joy.
God, give me joy today! I want to rejoice in You. I ask for a gentle spirit to characterize my words and actions today. Remind me to bring my anxious thoughts to you. Thank you for listening to my prayers. I ask for your perfect peace to guard my mind and heart today.
(based on Philippians 4:4-7)
Father, keep me from retaliating when I am wronged, but give me a desire to do good to everyone I encounter. I ask for a spirit of joy, regardless of my circumstances, and that my heart would be continually seeking Your will.
(based on 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18)
Lord, I ask that you fill my heart with joy and peace as I believe the truth of who You are. I prayer that your Holy Spirit will cause my heart to overflow with hope as I trust in Your salvation.
(based on Romans 15:13)
Key Bible Verses about Joy
Choose one verse to memorize this month, either from the selections listed, or find another scripture that speaks to the attribute of joy. Make sure it is a verse you have not already memorized!
1 Chronicles 16:27
Psalm 5:11
Psalm 16:11
Psalm 19:8
Psalm 47:1
Luke 2:10
John 15:11
Romans 15:13
Philippians 4:4-7
Hebrews 12:2
Additional Reading on the Topic of Joy
Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg
Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Happiness by Randy Alcorn
Galatians 5:22-23
Read through the passage several times this month to help you commit it to memory. Just reading the verse repeatedly as you go through studying a different fruit of the spirit each month will help you to “hide God’s word in your heart.”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Monthly Fruit of the Spirit Word Study
Moving through the fruit of the spirit in order they are listed in the passage, this is the progression throughout the school year. However, you could certainly choose to rearrange the topics if you chose to do so.
For example, you could explore the character trait of being loving in February to tie in with Valentine’s Day or study joy in December to correspond to Christmas activities. Each word stands alone and the resources do not build on one another, so you have freedom to “drag and drop” into whichever time period you wish.
Monthly Fruit of the Spirit Study for Students
This isn’t a typical Bible study in the sense of having daily or weekly lessons. Instead, it’s intended to be used as a supplemental study that’s low-key and flexible.
The monthly focus on one specific fruit of the spirit gives plenty of opportunity for discussion, scripture study, and reflection.
Even if your kids are doing a regular Bible study (which I hope they are), you can add in a few scriptures, a video, have them listen to a piece of music or read a poem each month and consider whether they are exhibiting that fruit of the spirit.
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Fruit of the Spirit Study: Joy (for Middle and High School Students)
