Dear Church family!

This week’s verses are “Always be joyful.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) [NLT] and “Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us.” (Romans 15:4) [TEV] 

Ice Breaker: Write down all the songs/hymns that you can think of that have the word “Joy” in them. Of those, which is your favorite?

One of the gifts we celebrate at Christmas is that Jesus came to give us unspeakable joy! In Luke 2:10-12, the terrified shepherds were assured by the angels that the birth of the Savior was “Good News” that will bring “great joy to all people”! From this, we find five Five Mind-Blowing Truths That Bring Joy: 1) Joy is here now. 2) Joy is sent. 3) Joy is a journey. 4) Joy is frightening. 5) Joy is a difficult choice. As Christ followers, we’re called to “always be joyful,” per 1 Thessalonians 5:16. But true joy requires us to make the difficult choice to trust God. That’s what this journey of life is all about – trusting God and experiencing His joy.

Dive In:

1. “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.” (Luke 2:8-9) [NLT] Picture the setting in your mind, imagine the faces of the shepherds when, “suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared.” Describe the emotion on their faces as you picture them.

2. “When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.” (Matthew 2:10) [NLT] The wise men had been following the star that guided them on their journey to the birthplace of Christ. Think about a difficult “journey” you have had – where you allowed God to lead in the face of great adversity. Jot down how God showed up in the journey and the joy experienced at the end.

3.  “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (John 16:20) [NIV] “Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148:13) [NLT]

4. “Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ‘Don’t be afraid, Mary,’ the angel told her, ‘for you have found favor with God!” (Luke 1:29-30) [NLT] One of the five mind blowing truths is that “Joy is a difficult choice.” In Luke 1:29-30, how does Mary initially respond to the news of great blessing that the angel reveals to her? Read Luke 1:46-48. How does Mary respond?

5. “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) [NIV] Jesus made the difficult decision to endure the cross. What did that decision feel like for Jesus – who was both God and man? Write down your answer.

6. “I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy that I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.” (John 15:11) [NCV] It’s a difficult choice to really trust God and experience the fullest joy. What is holding you back from fully trusting God?

7. In Hebrews 12:2 above, it says that “for the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross.” What would imagine Jesus must have seen at that time that made the cross and all that surrounded it worthwhile – to the point that He even experienced joy?

As always, may the Lord use this mid-week devotional to prepare your heart to receive this coming Sunday’s message.

Please be sure to join us this Sunday for week three of our Christmas Advent series. God bless you.