Rejoice Always Preschool Sunday School Lesson (Free, Ages 3–6)
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Paul was full of joy, even in chains.”
Paul was in prison, in chains. Do you remember Lydia by the river? She lived in the city of Philippi. The friends of Jesus in Philippi loved Paul very much. Years before, Paul and Silas had even sung songs to God in a prison there. It was at midnight!
Now Paul was in prison again, far away. The friends in Philippi heard about it. They sent him a gift with a friend named Epaphroditus.
So Paul wrote them a thank-you letter. His young friend Timothy was with him. “I thank my God whenever I remember you,” Paul wrote. He said he prayed for them with joy. Paul was full of joy, even in chains.
Paul told them some good news. Because Paul was in chains, all the palace guards learned about him. They knew he was in chains because of Jesus! And other friends of Jesus became brave. They told God’s word without fear.
Paul called his friends “my joy and crown.” A crown is like a prize that makes you glad. Then he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, ‘Rejoice!’” To rejoice means to be glad. Can you clap your hands and say, “Rejoice!”?
Paul wrote, “Let your gentleness be known to all men.” Gentleness means being soft and kind. And he wrote, “The Lord is at hand.” That means the Lord is near. Paul was full of joy, even in chains.
Paul knew that people worry. So he wrote, “In nothing be anxious.” Anxious means worried. “By prayer with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” That means: tell God what you need, and say thank you.
Then Paul wrote this. “The peace of God will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.” God’s peace keeps your heart safe, like a guard at the door. Put your hands over your heart.
Paul told them what to think about. Things that are true. Things that are lovely. Things that are good. What is something lovely you can think about tonight?
Sometimes Paul had plenty. Sometimes he was hungry. But he had learned to be content. Content means glad with what you have. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul was full of joy, even in chains.
Paul thanked his friends for their gift. They were the only church that had helped him like this at the start. They had sent help again and again.
Paul said their gift was like “a sweet-smelling fragrance.” A fragrance is a nice smell, like flowers. Can you sniff a pretty flower? Mmm! That is how God liked their gift.
And Paul wrote, “My God will supply every need of yours.” To supply means to give. God would take care of them, just as they took care of Paul.
At the end, Paul sent greetings from all of God’s people near him. Some of them even worked in the emperor’s house!
God was with Paul, even in prison, and God is with you tonight. Paul was full of joy, even in chains.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What is something you can say thank you to God for today?
- What could you tell God about when you feel worried?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw something you want to say thank you to God for.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”” — Philippians 4:4 (Rejoice → clap your hands; in the Lord → point up high; always → draw a big circle in the air; Again I will say, “Rejoice!” → jump and clap)
Dear God, thank you that I can tell you everything. When I worry, please give me your peace. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Choose Joy, Not Worry
Memory verse: “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, "Rejoice!"” — Philippians 4:4 · WEB
The Bible story
From a dark prison cell, a joyful man named Paul writes his friends a letter about trading every worry for prayer, thankfulness, and God's happy peace.
Talk about it
- Where was Paul when he wrote his happy letter? — In a prison room
- What had Paul's friends in Philippi sent him? — Gifts to help him
- How did Paul feel even though he was in chains? — Joyful and glad
- What glad word did Paul write to his friends? — Rejoice!
- What did Paul say about the Lord? — The Lord is near
- What did Paul tell his friends NOT to do? — Do not worry
Where is Jesus in this story?
The night before He died, Jesus told His friends, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). He promised that after their sadness they would have a joy no one could take away (John 16:22). That came true on Easter, and it is why Paul could rejoice even in chains.
What God wants to tell us
God shows us that we do not have to carry our worries all by ourselves. Whatever is making us afraid, we can whisper it to God like a friend who is always listening. When we hand Him our worries and remember to say thank you, He fills us up with a happy, peaceful feeling that keeps our hearts safe. Being joyful does not mean everything is easy. It means we know that God is with us, no matter what happens.
Prayer
Father God, thank You that I can be happy because You love me. When I feel worried, help me to talk to You and to remember to say thank you. Please fill my heart with Your peace, and help me to think about good and lovely things today. Amen.
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