Monday, December 21, 2009

JOY Week 3 "Finding Joy In Life's Fragile Places"

SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY:

2 Corinthians 1:8-9; Psalm 127:1-2; Haggai 1:5-9; Matthew 6:31-32; Psalm 37:23-26


REFLECT/DISCUSS:

Q: When is the last time you realized that some part of your life was fragile and could fall apart? How did that feel? How did you respond?

Q: When was the last time that you found yourself seeking God urgently? Did something happen to prompt you? If so, what?

Q: What do you think is the greatest experience a person could have in this life? How do you feel about “an intimate relationship with God” as an answer? If that is your answer, does your life reflect it?

Q: Check out 2 Cor. 1:8-9. What did it take for the author to quit relying on himself and start relying on God? What will it take for you to do the same?

Q: Read the rest of the passages listed above. Do you really believe what they say about God ultimately being in control? If God is in control, does this change how we can respond to the uncertain and wobbly parts of life?

Q: If your life were pictured as a balance beam like in the teaching, what would you be doing on it? Crawling? Holding on for dear life? Swaying? Tip Toeing? Dancing? Something else?

Q: How would you respond to John Piper’s question: “Would you be happy in heaven- with all pain and tears gone- if Jesus wasn’t there?”

Christmas Eve:
“Finding Joy In Life’s Interruptions”

Sunday, December 13, 2009

JOY: Joy In The Middle Of Trials


SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY: James 1:1-7

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

NEXT WEEK:

“Finding Joy In Your Insecurities”

REFLECT/DISCUSS:

Read verse 1-2:

Q: How does James’ call to “consider it (suffering) pure joy” make you feel? When you’re going through a difficult season, what’s your typical attitude or mindset?

Read verse 3:

Q: James explains it’s “the testing of your faith” that builds up perseverance. Can you pinpoint a time in your life when suffering developed you into a stronger person? How are you different today because of it?

Read verse 4:

Q: More than just making you a stronger person, James explains that preserving through difficult seasons – over the course of your life – will lead to spiritual maturity. How does it make you feel to know your suffering has eternal value? How does it make you look differently at suffering?

Consider Francis’ statement from the teaching:

“Joy isn’t something we just lose; it’s something we choose to give away. Joy isn’t something that just happens to us; it’s something we fight for. It’s a decision.”

Are there areas of your life where you have made the decision to give away the gift of joy? Are you focusing on the bad instead of celebrating the good? How can you begin to fight for joy in your life today?

Sunday, December 6, 2009

JOY- Week 1

SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY: Philippians 4:4-8

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

REFLECT/DISCUSS:

Read verse 4:

Q: Have you ever thought of rejoicing as a commandment? Do you believe it is possible for you to rejoice all of the time?

Read verse 5:

Q: Do you agree that even when we give our worries to God, we often want to hold on to them at least a little bit? Why do you think we do this?

Read verse 6:

Q: Prayer is presented as an appropriate way to deal with trouble and still find joy. What does it say to God when we give Him our problems and then continue to worry about them?

Read verse 7:

Q: According to this verse, when does the peace come? Who gives/generates it?

Read verse 8:

Q: Instead of our anxieties and problems, check out the kinds of things God wants us to think about. How does what’s been on your mind lately compare to this list? If we are glorifying what we think about constantly- what are you glorifying right now?


What do you think of this statement from the teaching?:

“Rejoicing always isn’t about losing touch with reality. It is about acknowledging the reality that no matter how big our problems are- they don’t match up to the Cross of Jesus.”


Where are you at when it comes to rejoicing and worrying? How might God be prompting you to live differently this next week?


NEXT WEEK:
“Joy In The Middle Of Trials”