Fruit of the Spirit Study: JOY

Hi Ladies,

I was looking for a study to do an I came across a book my friend gave me called "Fruit of the Spirit" (by InterActions/Small group series). You may join in to any of these series of swaps. This is the one about JOY :)

You will have as many partners as who signs up! Please read the scriptures and the text below and answer the following questions and email them to your partners within 2 weeks. Anyone from Bible Study is allowed to join. Please let me know if you have any questions about this swap, I'll be happy to reply!

It's not very often that I feel the freedom or the confidence to make a sweeping, categorical statement, but I think I can make one about the topic of this study. I have the confidence to say that every single person reading these words would rather be happy than sad.

If you were given a choice, I think you would choose gladness over sadness. I am confident you would rather be up than down. I'm pretty sure yo would rather attend a wedding, a birthday party, or a graduation than a funeral. You would rather dance, sing, and shout than mourn, grieve, and weep. Many absolute statements seem to have exceptions, but I can pretty safely say that all of us prefer joy to sadness.

I might even go a step further and say that most of us prefer to be around those who are joyful. In moments of truthful contemplation, I have to admit that sometimes I choose friends on the basis of their joy quotient. I like to be around positive people. Sometimes I even find myself avoiding individuals who are always down. I know God calls me to minister to all people regardless of their predominant mood, and to try to lift them up, but if I have a free Saturday afternoon and I want to spend some time with somebody, chances are I'll lean toward a person who is filled with joy.

I also believe many people choose churches on the basis of whether or not they find a sense of joy, celebration, and excitement there. Is your church more positive than negative, more joyful than sorrowful? We all have a natural hunger for that which lifts us up and brings us joy.

1. What brings you joy and happiness? / What takes away your joy and happiness?

2. Read John 15:9-11 Jesus talks about our joy being "complete." How was your joy incomplete before Jesus entered your life?

3. Jesus said, "I have told you this so that *my joy may be in you..."** What is unique about the joy Jesus brings us?

A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

I wan to focus on two great biblical truths pertaining to personal joy and happiness. Here's the first one: God loves you so much that He makes it a priority to produce a spirit of joy in your life. He has committed Himself to growing joy within you through the supernatural power of His Spirit. He wants to produce a joy so deep in your life that it will transcend any pain, discouragement, and circumstantial problems you have.

A second great truth, connected to the first, is that our God has a brilliant plan for carrying out His objective. His plan is to first fill your life with significant love relationships. Then He's going to give your life a purpose - an eternal significance. And finally, He is going to instill a hope in your life that will last for eternity.

4. How has your relationship with God brought you significant love relationships?

5. How has your relationship with Christ given you meaning in life?

6. How does your walk with Christ provide hope both now and for your eternity? How does this hope increase your joy?