Fruit of the Spirit | PART 2 | JOY | Galatians 5:22-23
Gathering Question:
What is one way you have seen God move in your life this week?
Gathering Prayer.
Father, by Your Spirit, would you guide us into all truth. Help us to hear and be attentive to Your voice as we work through this study. In the name of Jesus, Your Son, we pray, Amen.
Opening Questions
- What stood out to you in the sermon?
- What insights did you gain?
- What questions did it raise?
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Joy
- Dallas Willard writes, Gradually there crept into my mind the realization that God sees this all the time. He sees it, experiences it, knows it from every possible point of view, this and billions of other scenes like and unlike it, in this and billions of other worlds. Great tidal waves of joy must constantly wash through his being.
…God leads a very interesting life, and he is full of joy. Undoubtedly, he is the most joyous being in the universe. The abundance of his love and generosity is inseparable from his infinite joy. All of the good and beautiful things from which we occasionally drink tiny droplets of soul-exhilarating joy, God continuously experiences in all their breadth and depth and richness.” (The Divine Conspiracy)
- What is your reaction to this quote?
- Do you think most people think of God as joyful? Why or why not?
- What about you? Do you tend to think of God as joyful?
Joy and Pain
- Read Psalm 30:1-12 (and read the description to the Psalm!)
- What does this Psalm teach us about joy?
- Why do you think David has an expectation of joy even in the midst of disappointment?
- Read Romans 12:12, 2 Corinthians 8:2, James 1:2.
- Why do you think the Bible often speaks of joy alongside pain, trial, and struggle?
Joy verse Pleasure
- The wider Greek-speaking world thought of joy as “pleasure” (hedone, where we get the word “hedonism.”) How do you see this same thought reflected in our world today?
- Why is happiness and joy not the same thing?
- What does it teach us that that biblical joy (chara) is closely related to grace (charis)?
Closing Prayer: