Matthew 11:28-30 28Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

THIS WEEK: JOY

The definition of Joy in the Bible: (ִשׂ ְמ ָחה , simchah; χαρά, chara)1 Positive human condition that can be either feeling or action. The Bible uses joy in both senses.

Joy as Feeling: Joy is a feeling called forth by well-being, success, or good fortune. A person automatically experiences it because of certain favorable circumstances. It cannot be commanded.

• The shepherd experienced joy when he found his lost sheep (Matthew 18:13). The multitude felt it when Jesus healed a Jewish woman whom Satan had bound for 18 years (Luke 13:17).

Joy as Action. There is a joy that Scripture commands. That joy is action that can be engaged in regardless of how the person feels.

• • Proverbs 5:18 tells the reader to rejoice in the wife of his youth, without reference to what she may be like.
• • Christ instructed His disciples to rejoice when they were persecuted, reviled, and slandered (Matthew 5:11-12).
• • The apostle Paul commanded continuous rejoicing (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16).
• • James said Christians are to reckon it all joy when they fall into various testings because such

  testings produce endurance (James 1:2).2

• If we can’t have joy unless my life looks good with material possessions, good circumstances, and good health, then

what is the difference between the world and us?

JOY IN THE MIDST OF SORROW…

Psalms 77:1-15

• Have you ever felt what the author is feeling?

WHERE ARE YOUR EYES SET?

Philippians 4:4,8 4Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! … 8And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

• Our ability to be joyful in every situation comes from not only where we decide to set our sights but also our decision to put on our new nature.

OUR HOPE LEADS TO JOY!

Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the godly results in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. • What is your hope in, and where is your joy found?

A FIGHT FOR JOY: We have an enemy.

John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4We us God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

• A part of our fight for joy starts with capturing our thoughts and standing on both God’s word and who God declares Himself to be in His word.

CLOSING

1. What are you hearing? What is standing out to you? Is there a step you need to take or a thought process you need to re-think?
2. What are your eyes set on, currently?
3. Do you need to come to God in the midst of your challenging circumstances—and vent and pour your

   heart out to Him and other godly people?

4. What’s your hope been in? Where has your joy been found?

LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS

1. What stood out to you in the message, and why?
2. Have you ever been in a defeated and discouraged place? What happened? What did you do? Did you

   bring it to God or did keep your struggle to yourself?

3. Read Philippians 4:4-8. Ask: What have your eyes been set on, currently? Negativity? worldly things?

   Spiritual things?

4. Read Proverbs 10:28. Ask: What stands out to you in this verse? Why do you think our hope in Jesus can

   lead to joy?

5. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Ask: Why do you think a part of the journey to cultivate the fruit of the spirit

   joy in our lives has some to do with how we fight with our thoughts and beliefs?

6. What is the main thing God has been showing you so far in this series and why?
7. Don’t forget to take prayer requests in your group!

Bonus! Try Memorizing Galatians 5:22-25

Passages to prepare for next week, Cultivate! Week 4: Peace
This week, read Galatians 5:16-26; Philippians 4:6-8; Romans 5:1-5 As you read, ask yourself these questions:

• What is the passage saying about God, mankind, and how the world works?
• What do I learn about myself from this passage?
• What response does this require of me in my thinking, believing, and doing?