Study Guide – June 20, 2010
1) Describe a time in your life when you were flooded with joy and gladness? Please share with the rest of the group what made it so joyful.
2) When you think about Jesus’ time here on earth what would you think would have been the event that gave Him the greatest joy? Please explain your answer. Examples may include: a) healing the sick, b) teaching in the synagogues, c) casting out demons, d) walking on water, 3) calming the storm...etc.
3) READ Hebrews 12:2 – What is it about this passage which causes us to rethink the word, “joy”?
4) READ James 1:2-4 – What makes difficulties and hardships in life opportunities to experience Christ’s joy?
5) When you encounter various trials and hardships what do you have a natural tendency to do? What do your emotions tell you?
a) Try to press through the situation and find solutions out of the difficulty.
b) Question God for allowing the Hardship to take place
c) Pray and ask God to take you out of it.
d) Grumble and Complain
e) Other
6) READ 1 Thessalonians 5:15-23 – In this passage what do we know, without question, is God’s will and desire for our life?
7) How is Rejoicing Always and in everything giving thanks release the joy of the Lord in our lives? Look at Acts 16:14-30 to help discover the truth.
8) For Christians who submit to the Lordship of Christ Jesus, where is the source of their joy? Galatians 5:22
9) Are there any areas of your life which you have allowed to take the joy of the Lord from your walk with Him? If so, take these issues before Him, confess and give thanks for your situation and allow the Lord to fill you with His joy.
10) End your time praising the Lord for wherever He has you no matter the hardship or difficulty you are facing. Remember, God calls us to give thanks in everything and that is the last thing Satan wants God’s children to do. Close by singing “Rejoice in the Lord Always”
