TODAY:

Advent: The Weary World Rejoices – JOY

BIG IDEA:

True joy comes from the gift of God’s saving grace & is meant to be shared

SCRIPTURES:

Luke 2:10-11, Matthew 1:21-23, Psalm 100, John 10:9-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Romans 15:13

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: What is the difference between happiness & joy?

Q: Where does joy come from & how important is joy to life?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Connect with God (UP)...

Q: Does the thought of “entering the gates of God’s presence” fill you with joy? Why or why not?

Q: What does it mean to be “sheep of God’s pasture”? How does this bring joy?

Connect with Others(IN)...

Q: How can worship look like joyful “service/labor”? How is this different from obligation/duty-driven work?

Connect with the World (OUT)...

Q: Read Romans 15:13. How can the hope & joy of God’s Spirit overflow into the world around you?

ACTION STEPS

1) Evaluate what brings &/or robs you of your God-given joy. (What is your joy based on?)

2) Find one way that you can be a reflection of God’s joy to the world around you