Middle School Week 5 (April 22): Mindset #5
Mindset #5: My joy is my job.
Action Step: Own your emotions.
Read Do the True You chapters 18-21 before your group meeting.
Watch the video: Encourage students to take notes on what stands out to them and what they want to remember.
What’s On Your Mind?
What’s something small that can instantly ruin your mood? Be honest! (e.g., slow Wi-Fi, losing a game, phone not working, hearing you missed out on something, etc.)
Optional activity: In a Bad Mood
Read these scenarios out loud. Students will then say what their first negative reaction would likely be. (If they allowed themselves to have a negative reaction.) (e.g., complaining, blaming others, anger, trying to get even, etc.)
You studied hard and still got a bad grade.
Your friends hang out without inviting you.
Your team loses because of your mistake.
Someone posts something negative about you.
You have to do something you really don’t want to do.
Tell youth everyone struggles with not letting situations control how they feel and how they react. This week isn’t about pretending to be happy when those things happen — it’s about learning to take responsibility for your joy.
Shift Your Mindset
Review the previous mindsets with your group before jumping into this week’s discussion:
Mindset 1: I’m not stuck unless I stop. (Action: Commit to progress.)
Mindset 2: Christ is in me. I am enough. (Action: Accept your Self.)
Mindset 3: With God there’s always a way, and by faith I will find it. (Action: Focus on possibility.)
Mindset 4: God is not against me, but he’s in it with me, working through me, fighting for me. (Action: Walk in confidence.)
“My joy is my job.” What does this mean to you? Do you think joy is something that just happens to you, or something you choose?
Choosing joy can begin by choosing gratitude! Pastor Steven shared an exercise he uses to remind himself every good thing he has comes from God. It’s called GR8FUL, and you list eight things you’re grateful for as fast as you can. What are you grateful for right now? GO!
Read Philippians 4:4-6. What stands out to you in this passage? Why is it so important for us to remember where Paul was when he wrote this?
⬆️ Bible Bite: When Paul wrote the book of Philippians, he wasn’t sitting on a beach somewhere feeling relaxed and inspired. Most scholars believe he wrote this letter while under house arrest in Rome (see Acts 28:17-31). He was chained, waiting to stand trial, and unsure of what would happen next. And yet, Philippians is one of the most joy-filled letters in the Bible. Over and over, Paul talks about rejoicing. That matters because it shows us joy isn’t about circumstances — it’s about perspective. Paul couldn’t choose his situation, but he could choose his focus. He chose to focus on what God was doing instead of what he was going through. Joy is something we can choose, even when life feels unfair, uncertain, or out of our control.
“Owning your emotions” doesn’t mean ignoring them. It means choosing what you focus on. What are some things you can focus on when your emotions feel out of control?
Pray: God, thank You that our joy doesn’t have to depend on our circumstances. Help us become aware of our emotions instead of being controlled by them. Teach us to guard our hearts and choose gratitude over negativity. When we feel frustrated, remind us who we are in You. Help us take responsibility for our joy this week. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Go Further
Read Proverbs 4:23. What does it mean to guard your heart? Why would the Bible warn us to do this?
“Your feelings matter, but feelings can be fickle. Both of those things are true.” (pg. 177) What’s the difference between acknowledging our feelings and letting them control us? Why is it dangerous to let them lead?
What happens to your mood when you focus on what you don’t have? What happens when you get grateful and focus on what you do have?
WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Go and DO the True You
“I can decide—at any point—to move away from anxiety or fear by practicing gratitude and faith.” (pg. 196)
This week, when you feel anxious, afraid, angry, or anything else that might make you unhappy, choose joy. Tell yourself, “My joy is my job,” then do one of the following:
Say something you’re grateful for out loud.
Thank God for being with you in that moment.
Replace one negative thought with truth.
Reflect on a way God blessed you recently.
Encourage someone else instead of complaining.
Do the GR8FUL exercise.
You can’t control everything that happens. But you can choose your response. That’s owning your joy!