Joyful Moments in Christ

This Bible study lesson is for people who are learning English (ELL or ESL students). It is made for advanced beginner and intermediate English learners. Children who speak English or adults who prefer easy English may also enjoy it and learn from it.

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Lesson Icebreaker Question

Can you remember a time when you felt very happy and wanted to thank someone? What happened?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will learn how Jesus felt great joy and thanked God. We will hear what Jesus said about knowing God and how special it is to see and hear God’s good news.

Vocabulary List (GNT)

1. Disciples — People who follow and learn from a teacher.
2. Earth — The world where people, animals, and plants live.
3. Father — Another name for God in heaven.
4. Filled — Made full.
5. Fortunate — Lucky or blessed.
6. Given — Something that has been handed to or shared with someone.
7. Happen — When something takes place.
8. Heaven — The wonderful place where God lives.
9. Hidden — Kept secret or out of sight.
10. Holy Spirit — God’s Spirit who helps people and lives in them.
11. Joy — A very happy feeling inside.
12. Kings — Important men who rule over a country or people.
13. Knows — To understand or be sure about something.
14. Learned — People who have studied and know a lot.
15. Lord — A name showing respect for God.
16. Many — A large number.
17. Pleased — Happy about something.
18. Privately — Done quietly and away from other people.
19. Prophets — People who speak God’s messages.
20. Rejoice — To be very happy and celebrate.
21. Reveal — To show or make something known.
22. See — To look at with your eyes.
23. Shown — Let someone see or learn something.
24. Son — A male child; here it means Jesus, the Son of God.
25. Tell — To speak words so someone hears them.
26. Unlearned — People who have not studied much.
27. Wanted — Wished for something or hoped to have it.
28. Wise — Knowing what is good and right because of learning and life experience.

Summary of the Passage

This passage happens after Jesus’ followers came back from a trip. They were happy because God worked through them. Then Jesus was filled with great joy through the Holy Spirit. He thanked God, calling him Father, and said he was happy that simple, unlearned people could understand God’s message, even when wise and powerful people did not. Jesus said this was what God wanted.

Next, Jesus told the people that his Father had given him everything. He explained that only he truly knows the Father, and only the people he chooses can know the Father too. This means people need Jesus to help them know God.

Then, Jesus spoke quietly to his disciples. He told them they were very blessed to see and hear the things God was doing. Long ago, prophets and kings wanted to see these things, but they could not. Now, the disciples were seeing God’s promises coming true through Jesus.

This passage teaches us that God’s good news is for everyone, not just the rich or wise. It shows us that knowing God is a gift, and Jesus helps us see who God is. It reminds us to be thankful for the joy God gives through his Son.

Read The Passage

Jesus Rejoices
21 At that time Jesus was filled with joy by the Holy Spirit and said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned. Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen.
22 “My Father has given me all things. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said to them privately, “How fortunate you are to see the things you see!
24 I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, but they could not, and to hear what you hear, but they did not.”

Luke 10:21-24 (GNT)

Most English learners should use the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV) or the Good News Translation (GNT) because they are easy to read. If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions:

• Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 10:21-24 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 10:21-24 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 10:21-24 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 10:21-24 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 10:21-24 (ESV)

Comprehension Questions

1. How did Jesus feel at the beginning of this passage?
2. Who did Jesus thank?
3. Why was Jesus happy that simple people understood God’s message?
4. Who truly knows the Father?
5. Who helps people to know the Father?
6. What did Jesus say about the disciples being fortunate?
7. Who in the past wanted to see and hear what the disciples saw and heard?

Application Questions

1. Why do you think God lets simple people understand his message?
2. How does it feel to know that Jesus helps people know God?
3. Why should we be thankful for the good things God shows us?
4. What is something about God you are thankful for today?

Theological Insights

1. God loves to show his truth to humble, simple people.
2. Jesus has the special job of showing people who God is.
3. It is a blessing to see and hear the good news about Jesus.
4. God gives joy to his people through the Holy Spirit.
5. Knowing God is a gift, not something we can earn by being smart or powerful.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for letting us hear about you through Jesus. Help us feel joy in our hearts and be thankful for your love. Show us more about you each day. Amen.

ELL Resources for the Gospel of Luke

More ELL Resources

You can find more Bible lessons for English learners on the main ELL page.

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.