Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome back for the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Nehemiah.” Today, we will learn about God’s joy. God gives us joy when we follow Him. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we are doing, we can experience the joy of the Lord! Now, it’s time to worship God, who sent His Son to save us and fill us with His joy! Let’s all stand and sing The Salvation Poem!

Play Video 7: (Song) The Salvation Poem (3 minutes)

Be sure to preview the song so you can sing along with the children.

The Salvation Poem

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

Our SuperTruth for today is: “God gives me joy as I follow Him.” Let’s say it together. “God gives me joy as I follow Him.”

Following God is exciting!

Frown and act sad. Some people think that to be a Christian, you have to give up doing anything fun, and you must walk around with a frown on your face. Is that true? No!

The truth is that we have more joy and happiness when we follow Jesus than anything the world can ever give us! Our hearts are full of joy because Jesus gives us love, peace, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and eternal life—just to name a few things!

The joy God gives us isn’t based on things or situations. God’s joy comes from the Holy Spirit, who lives in all believers. God’s joy comes from inside—not from the outside! Because of that, our joy cannot be taken away from us! So even when we go through hard times, we can have the joy of the Lord.

Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)

If most or all children watched the Bible story video in a previous lesson, omit it here and go straight to the SuperVerse.

If you saw the full Superbook video in Lesson 1, you’ll remember that Chris had a hard time trying to tutor two rambunctious boys who kept mocking him and causing trouble. After Superbook took Chris to meet Nehemiah, how did he finally connect with those rowdy boys? He had an idea to engage them in testing his science fair project using their skateboards to ride on air.

Yes, Chris learned from Nehemiah how to deal with mockers and do the work he was given to do. For those of you who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we are going to watch a short version now. And if you’ve already seen it, watch for ways that Nehemiah displays God’s joy and encourages his workers.

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (11 Minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to meet Nehemiah,who creates a daring plan to rebuild Jerusalem’s ruined walls, even though wicked men mock him—and plot to kill him! The children discover how to find courage to overcome every challenge.

Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3

Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.

SuperVerse Graphic 3

SuperVerse (2 minutes)

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. Nehemiah 8:10:

“The joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Raise your hand if you like to feel weak!

Now raise your hand if you like to feel strong!

That’s what I thought—we like to feel strong, not weak! The SuperVerse tells us that we can be strong because of God’s joy! Now, this kind of strength doesn’t mean we will suddenly grow big muscles so we can lift heavy objects. No, this is an inner strength God gives us to keep going even when we are weary or want to give up.

When you are filled with joy, do you just want to sit there with a sad face? No, you want to jump for joy! When I count to three, let’s all jump up and shout the SuperVerse. Ready? 1-2-3!

Yes, it is so wonderful to be filled with joy! You may sit down again.

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group.

Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)

Now let’s watch our Signposts Video to see how Nehemiah points us to Jesus. Nehemiah was a man of prayer and a faithful and compassionate leader. Like Jesus, Nehemiah submitted to God’s plan and finished the work God gave him to do!

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (5 minutes)

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Let’s pray before we move to Small Group.

Dear God, thank You for the joy You give us as we follow You. Your joy is our strength in good times and in difficult times. Help us to share the joy we have with others so they may experience Your love and grace, too. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Today in Small Group, you will play a game where you will receive joy as you follow God. Now, you might be surprised with some of the places or situations you can discover God’s joy! Are you ready? Great, let’s go!

Teachers take children to Small Group classes for Grades 1–3 and 4–6. If the combined group is small, all children may stay together for Small Group time.

Game

Let’s say the SuperTruth together. “God gives me joy as I follow Him.”

God is the source of true joy! In our game, you will see that God gives joy to us in the midst of any situation; all we must do is follow Him! Let’s read the four signs on the walls.

Have a different child read each sign in order, and give a brief explanation for each one:

1. JOY in Troubles and Trials. Now who expects to have joy in a time of trouble? The Bible tells us that when troubles of any kind come our way, it’s an opportunity to have joy—in fact, to have great joy! (See James 1:2.)
2. JOY in Repentance. We experience joy when we confess our sins and God forgives us. Our guilt and shame are washed away, and we are pure and clean—like the people experienced in the story of Nehemiah! (See Psalm 51:7–8.)
3. JOY in Obedience. When we walk in step with God’s Word and we do His will each day, He fills us with His goodness, joy and peace! (See Romans 14:17.)
4. JOY in His Presence. There is joy simply being in God’s presence. When we spend time with God reading the Bible, praying, or worshiping Him, He gives us joy! (See Psalm 21:6.)

Now, let’s learn how to play the game to give and receive God’s joy in all of the situations we talked about!

Divide the class into two equal teams and have them line up, single file. If teams are unequal, one player may play twice. Assign each team a cup color—for example, Blue Team and Red Team. Demonstrate the game as you explain it.

One player from each team plays at the same time. Each player will travel to all four signs in order. This represents following God’s call and path, like Nehemiah did. At each sign, you will find joy represented by cups.

You will take a cup of joy and travel to the next sign, where you’ll pick up another cup—until you have four cups. You can place the cups inside each other to carry them. Return to your team and hand the cups to the next player. That player then goes to each sign and puts down one cup—sharing the joy of the Lord they just received! Players continue in this pattern until each player has had a turn. The first team to do this and then shout the SuperTruth together wins!

To make the game more interesting, you must travel in whatever way I say. You may have to skip for joy, or jump for joy, or even twirl! All players will travel the same way until I change the instructions! Ready? Go!

Begin by telling players to jump, skip, twirl, etc. Change the instructions at random times throughout the game.

Play a second round with children switching roles: those who picked up cups in the last round will put them down, and vice versa. Everyone should have an opportunity to receive and share the joy of the Lord!

Conclusion: Were you surprised that you can find joy in those situations? Have you ever had the opportunity to share the joy of the Lord with someone in one of these situations? If so, how did it feel?

As we follow God, we will experience many different things in our life. In every situation, God will give us joy when we look to Him and trust Him. Nehemiah didn’t always have an easy time, yet, he always trusted God and his joy in following God inspired his workers. Nehemiah’s joy and trust in God encouraged his workers and gave them strength to continue—even when they were threatened by enemy soldiers. It’s now time for our Signpost teaching where we will learn how Nehemiah’s leadership pointed to the greatest leader of all time—Jesus!

Teaching

Place boxes on the floor in random order. Have a child select Signpost Box 1 and read the attached card aloud. Then have the child place the box on the floor with the card facing the children. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the two remaining Signpost Boxes. Have each reader stack the box on the previous box to build make a wall. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Let’s answer the question that was asked in Large Group. What are some ways that Nehemiah displayed God’s joy and encouraged his workers?

Signpost 1 Compassion and Prayer

Nehemiah was a wonderful leader who trusted in God even when being mocked and opposed. The qualities of Nehemiah point us to the greatest leader the world has ever known—Jesus! Nehemiah prayed before making important decisions and when faced with challenges. The Bible tells us to never stop praying! Nehemiah was driven or motivated by compassion. When he heard about those who were suffering in Jerusalem, he wept. The Bible tells us that Jesus was filled with compassion for the people who came to Him. He took care of their needs by feeding and healing them.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Nehemiah 1:4–6:

⁴ When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. ⁵ Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with those who love Him and obey His commands, ⁶ listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for Your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against You. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!

1 Thessalonians 5:17:

Never stop praying.

Philippians 4:6:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

John 17:15 (nkjv):

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

Matthew 9:36:

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Signpost 2 Humbleness and Service

Both Jesus and Nehemiah showed humility in their leadership. Nehemiah sacrificed his position of authority and power with the king of Persia to do God’s work. Do you remember what his position was with the king? Cup-bearer.

In Jerusalem, he could have given orders from a comfortable office. Do you remember what Nehemiah did instead? He worked alongside everyone else as they rebuilt the wall.

Jesus, the Son of God, chose to humble Himself as a man. He came down to Earth from heaven to die for us! Jesus told His disciples that whoever wanted to be a leader must first become something to others. Do you remember what that was? A servant to others.

Yes, Nehemiah and Jesus became servants to others instead of expecting others to serve them.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Nehemiah 5:15–17:

¹⁵ The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way . ¹⁶ I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. ¹⁷ I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands!

Matthew 20:26–28:

²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many."

John 6:38,40 (nkjv):

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.⁴⁰ And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Philippians 2:5–7:

⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. ⁶ Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. ⁷ Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

Signpost 3 Examples of Courage and Obedience

Nehemiah was obedient to God and devoted his life to doing the will of God. Many times, Nehemiah bravely stood up to Sanballat, Tobiah and others. His enemies tried to intimidate him and threaten him; even so, Nehemiah displayed great courage and would not allow God’s work to stop. He continually encouraged his workers not to be afraid and to trust God. Jesus came down from heaven to do the will of God. He was obedient, even unto death. He always spoke the truth courageously. And, when necessary, He took bold action against evil and sinful people.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Nehemiah 6:2–4,9:

² So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, ³ so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” ⁴ Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. ⁹ They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.

Nehemiah 4:14:

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

Philippians 2:5–8:

⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. ⁶ Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. ⁷ Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, ⁸ He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Matthew 21:12–13:

¹² Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. ¹³ He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

Nehemiah gives us a great example of humbleness, obedience and leadership. And of course, our perfect example in every way is Jesus!

Read 1 Peter 2:21 (nkjv):

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.

Now, let’s move on to the Discipleship Challenge and continue our challenge of building rock-solid faith!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give the Faith Wall and Stone Patterns to children who missed the previous lessons so they may assemble their crafts at home.

This is the last lesson for our Discipleship Challenge about building rock solid faith in God!

Who can fill in the blanks of the Discipleship verse for Lesson 2; Matthew 7:24? “Anyone who ____ to My teaching and follows it is _____, like a person who builds a house on solid ____.” Listens, wise, rock.

Why is it important to hear—and to follow—God’s Word? If we hear God’s Word but don’t obey it, our faith will not stand strong. We must put God’s Word into practice.

What advantage is there in building a house on rock instead of sand, and how does that apply to building our spiritual faith? Sand can erode or be washed away. It changes and isn’t a solid or strong foundation. A rock stands through storms and doesn’t change. God’s Word never changes, so it provides a strong and sure foundation to build on.

The Discipleship Challenge for Lesson 3 is to fill in the blanks for the final scripture on the craft, 1 Corinthians 3:11, then discuss the questions on the back at home.

Prayer

Have children sit on the floor in a circle.

Like the Israelites who built the wall, we have every reason to be filled with joy. Jesus died for us and rescued us from our captivity to sin. He made us righteous in God’s sight and gave us victory over sin and death. We also have eternal life through our Savior, Jesus. The Holy Spirit lives inside us, giving us wisdom and power to face any situation. Even when everything seems to be going wrong on the outside, we can be strong on the inside because God’s joy is our strength! No matter what happens, we can have the confidence and assurance of God’s love, peace, presence, and grace. We are blessed in Jesus Christ!

An important part of prayer is praise, thanksgiving and worship. Here is what the book of Nehemiah tells us happened when the people gathered to worship. 

Read Nehemiah 8:5–6:

Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Ezra praised God for His greatness, then the people lifted their hands and worshiped the Lord. Today in our prayer time, we are not going to ask God for anything. We are just going to stand in His presence to thank Him and praise Him. What are some reasons to praise Him? His goodness, His greatness, He died to save us, His joy gives us strength.

Those are wonderful reasons to praise Him! Let’s stand and go around the circle, with each person thanking or praising God for something. I’ll start.

If you are comfortable doing so, lift your hands toward heaven as you briefly pray. Allow time for the children to offer their praise and thanksgiving to God. Then close in prayer.  

Dear God, thank You for the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us and teaches us how to pray. We praise You for filling us with Your joy, which gives us strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

SuperVerse

After the wall was rebuilt, all of the people assembled together and listened carefully as Ezra, the priest, read the Book of the Law aloud. The people bowed down and worshiped the Lord and dedicated their lives to serving Him. The Levites also read the Law and clearly explained the meaning so everyone could understand. The people wept because hearing God’s Law made them aware of their disobedience and sin. That’s when Nehemiah told the people, “Don’t be dejected or sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (See Nehemiah 8:1–10.)

When we confess our sins and trust Jesus as our Savior, God forgives us and gives us new life in Him. The Holy Spirit fills us with joy, for we know we are God’s children, and He is always with us. And that’s why we are so happy, today!

Now let’s say our SuperVerse several ways. Each time, I will hold up a card with a different word from the verse. We will say the whole verse together, except we will shout that one word. Ready?

Hold up one card so the children can see the word, then say the verse together and shout that word.

After saying the verse each time, discuss the significance of the word that was shouted:

1. JOY: How do you feel when you have joy? Happy, good, excited, hopeful, courageous, strong.

2. LORD: How is the Lord’s joy different from the world’s joy? Jesus loves us so much that He died for us. He will always be with us, no matter what. Joy in the world comes and goes, but no one can take away the joy of our salvation and knowing that God loves us.

3. YOUR: Is this joy just for other people? No, it’s for me and for everyone!

4. STRENGTH: When you feel sad and depressed, do you have much strength? No. Why do we get stronger when we have joy? We have hope when our spirits are lifted. Even if we’ve failed at something before, joy gives us the courage to try again.

Now let’s say the SuperVerse one last time and make it our own! Instead of saying “your,” let’s say “my.” Ready? “The joy of the Lord is my strength!”

Craft

After the wall was completed, what did Nehemiah ask Ezra to do? To read the Book of the Law to all of the people.

How did the people respond? They wept when the law was read because they realized that they had sinned.

Nehemiah stood up and told the people to stop mourning and weeping because it was now a time to celebrate; for the joy of the Lord is your strength! (See Nehemiah 8:10b.)

The next day, they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles—a special festival that Jewish people still celebrate to this day! Sometimes it is called the Festival of Shelters, or Feast of Booths, or Sukkoth (Suh-COAT) from the Hebrew word for tabernacle. A tabernacle simply means a temporary dwelling place, like a tent. The Feast of Tabernacles lasts for 8 days, beginning and ending on a Sabbath day of rest, where no work was to be done. This festival is a time of joy and thanksgiving to the Lord!

The Feast of Tabernacles begins after the fall harvest is completed, to celebrate how God provided food for the people. It is also a time of remembrance and thanksgiving to God for rescuing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and for providing everything they needed while living in the wilderness for 40 years. During the festival, the people live in temporary booths or shelters made from tree branches. These shelters represent the Israelites’ temporary homes as they traveled through the wilderness to their permanent home in the Promised Land.

During the festival in Nehemiah’s time, the people also thanked God for rescuing them from their captivity in Babylon and returning them to their home in Jerusalem!

Optional: read Nehemiah 8:16–18:

So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build shelters on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God’s Temple, or in the squares just inside the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate. So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy! The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua son of Nun. Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God on each of the seven days of the festival. Then on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, as was required by law.

The Feast of Booths reminds us that Jesus is our Redeemer and Savior. He rescued us and delivered us from the bondage of sin! Our bodies here on the earth are only our temporary home. God provides for us now, as we serve Him here in the world—until He takes us to our permanent home in heaven, where we will have new bodies that will never grow sick or old or die!

Read 2 Corinthians 5:1:

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands.

Give a Booth Pattern and Instructions to each child, along with children’s scissors and glue sticks or tape. Display the model craft while children assemble their own. Be prepared to assist any children with special needs.

Activity

Let’s say the SuperVerse together: Nehemiah 8:10b:

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Read Nehemiah 8:2–4a, 5–6:

So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law. Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

The Bible passage I read gives a hint about the picture you will reveal when you connect the dots. Give each child an activity page and a pencil. Have them work on their page as you lead a discussion with the questions below. Children may then color their pictures.

Can you imagine standing from early morning until noon, about 6 hours? That is what the people did when they listened to God’s law. This included men, women and children!

Do we need to stand and listen to someone read God’s Law today? How can we hear God’s Word? No, we are blessed to have our own Bibles to read God’s Word for ourselves anytime!

Name some other ways besides reading that we have access to God’s Word. By hearing teaching or preaching at church, on the radio, TV, or the internet, CDs, or DVDs.

Because we have so many ways to read and listen to God’s Word today, do you think we sometimes take that blessing for granted; why or why not? Yes, with access 24/7 to God’s Word in so many forms, we can sometimes take it for granted and forget how important, vital and precious God’s Word is for us, and we should take it in every day.

Sword Drill

This activity is most suitable for children who are familiar with the Bible. As an option, pair experienced Bible users with those who are not. The experienced Bible user can quickly look up the verse and the other child may read the verse if the pair wins a particular drill. Be prepared to help any children with special needs.

Have the children sit down and give them each a Bible. This activity is called a sword drill. Why do you think it is called that? The Word of God is called a sword; The Bible contains God’s Word.

Read Ephesians 6:17:

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Raise your swords high in the air! We are going to quickly look up verses about the joy of the Lord because the joy of the Lord is your … Strength.

Have children close their Bibles and hold them up in the air before each verse. As you call out a scripture reference below, write it on the board. Children will then find the verse as fast as possible, then stand up. Call on the winner to read the verse aloud. You may choose to give the hints listed below. Do as many verses as time permits.

1. Swords up! The first verse is Nehemiah 8:10. Hint: Nehemiah is found in the Old Testament of the Bible between the book of Ezra and Esther.

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

2. Swords up! Hint: This verse is in the fifth book of the New Testament. It comes after the Gospel of John. Find Acts 13:52.

And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

3. Swords up! Hint: This verse is in the book of Acts also. It comes right before the book of Romans in the New Testament. Find Acts 2:46.

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.

4. Swords up! Hint: You just looked up a verse in the book of Acts. Romans follows Acts. Find Romans 15:13.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

5. Swords up! Hint: This is a very big book near the middle of the Old Testament. Find Isaiah 12:6.

“Let all the people of Jerusalem shout His praise with joy! For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”

6. Swords up! Hint: You just found this Old Testament book. Find Isaiah 35:10.

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

7. Swords up! Hint: This verse is in one of the Gospel books in the New Testament. Find John 16:22.

“So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”

8. Swords up! Hint: We’ve been in this book once before in the New Testament. Find Romans 14:17.

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

9. Swords up! Hint: This verse is in the New Testament between the book of Philemon and James. Find Hebrews 12:2.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

10. Swords up! Hint: This verse is found in a Gospel book you found before. Find John 15:11.

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

Conclusion: You really know how to use your swords! This is important for every follower of Jesus. God’s Word is alive and sharper than any two edged sword. His Word speaks joy and life to us!

Match Game

Read Nehemiah 8:9–10:

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

The word dejected means to be depressed. Nehemiah told the people not to cry or be sad. Instead, he told them to celebrate because the joy of the Lord was their strength!

Joy and strength go hand in hand; you could say they are a perfect match! That is what our game is all about. When you are filled with the joy of the Lord, you have strength! This is a matching game that has joy and strength cards. There are also cards that say depression, weeping, sadness, and mourning. What does mourning mean? Grieving, as if someone has died.

You will take turns to try to match a joy card with a strength card. The other cards do not belong with joy—only strength cards do!

Divide the children into two teams; they do not need to be even. Have teams sit together so everyone can see the cards on display. Teams alternate turns. A turn consists of a player making two guesses. A player chooses a card number. The leader flips that card up along its taped edge to reveal the hidden word for all to see. The same player then selects a second card number to try to match a joy card with a strength card.

• If the cards are a perfect match (joy and strength) they are removed and given to the team.
• If player chooses two joys, two strengths, or one or two “No Match” cards, the cards are flipped down again.
• If two exact “No Match” cards are chosen (e.g. weeping, weeping) they are removed but do not count as a perfect match. However, it does benefit both teams by clearing the board.
• Play continues with the other team taking a turn.
• Play until all the Joy and Strength cards are matched.
• The team with the most perfect matches wins.

Conclusion: When we are filled with joy, we can be strong and overcome challenges and opposition in our lives. No one can take our joy from us!