You will have joy

Luke 1:5-17

What priest does verse 5 introduce us to (vs 5)? Who was his wife (vs 5)?

How are they described (vs 6)?

What problems were they facing (vs 7)?

How do you think this would have caused them to struggle with lasting joy?

What was Zechariah doing (vs 8)?

What was he chosen to do (vs 9)?

Why was this a unique opportunity?

***Priests were only allowed to do this twice in their life time and many never were able to do it once. The amount of priests far outnumbered the opportunity to light incense in the temple.

What were the people outside doing (vs 10)?

What happened while Zechariah was offering incense (vs 11)?

What was the response of Zechariah (vs 12)?

What did the angel tell Zechariah not to do (vs 13)?

What great news did the angel give to Zechariah (vs 14)?

How would this bring about joy (vs 14)?

What would this son become (vs 15)?

What was the plan for this child (vs 16)?

How was this a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies (vs 17)?

How did the birth of John help produce joy for not only his parents but for many others?

Leap for joy

Luke 1:39-45

What did Mary do (vs 39)?

Why did she do this? (Read verses 26-38)

Whose house did Mary go to (vs 40)?

What happened when Mary greeted Elizabeth (vs 41)?

What did Elizabeth declare (vs 42)?

What did she say about Mary (vs 43)?

What did the baby inside of Elizabeth do when she heard Mary (vs 44)?

Why do you think the term "joy" was used in this description?

Who did Elizabeth say was blessed (vs 45)? Why?

Good News of great joy

Luke 2:8-20

What were shepherds doing (vs 8)?

Who appeared to the shepherds (vs 9)?

How did they respond (vs 9)?

What did the angel tell them not to do (vs 10)?

What was the angel doing there (vs 10)?

How was this news going to be joy for many people?

What news was this (vs 11)?

How would they know they found the right baby (vs 12)?

What happened after they heard this news (vs 13)?

What did the angels declare (vs 14)?

Why do you think peace and joy are often mentioned together in Scripture (vs 14)?

What did the shepherds decide to do (vs 15)?

Who did they find (vs 16)?

What did they tell Mary and Joseph about (vs 17)?

What was the response of the people who heard the news of the shepherds (vs 18)?

What did Mary do (vs 19)?

Why do you think she did this (vs 20)?

How did the shepherds express their joy (vs 20)?

Rejoiced with great joy

Matthew 2:1-12

Who came searching for Jesus (vs 1)?

Why were they searching for a king (vs 2)?

How did Herod respond (vs 3-4)?

What did the Jews tell him (vs 5-6)?

What did Herod want to know (vs 7)? Why?

What did Herod tell the wise men to do (vs 8)?

What did the wise men see again (vs 9)?

How did they respond (vs 10)?

Why do you think this brought such joy to their hearts?

What did they do when they found Mary and Jesus (vs 11)?

What did they offer him (vs 11)?

How do you think they found joy in giving their gifts (vs 11)?

How did God warn the wise men (vs 12)?

Personal Application

What can you learn about God from this passage?

How can you apply what you have learned to your everyday life?

Selling all with joy

Matthew 13:44

What did Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven to (vs 44)?

Why was this man joyful about selling all that he had?

What message about joy do you think this verse presents?

The joy of your master

Matthew 25:14-30

What did a man decide to do when he went on a journey (vs 14)?

What did he do when he left (vs 15)?

What did the men who received five talents and two talents do (vs 16-17)?

What did the one who recieved the one talent do (vs 18)?

What happened after a long time (vs 19)?

How did the master respond to the man who had been given five talents (vs 20-21)?

What was he told to enter into (vs 21)

What do you think is meant by this?

How did the man who had been given two talents receive the same treatment (vs 22-23)?

What did the man who received one talent express about the master (vs 24)?

Why was the servant afraid (vs 25)?

How does fear interfere with joy?

What did the master say the servant should have known (vs 26-
27)?

What happened to the talent that the servant had received (vs 28)?

What happens to those who are faithful with what they have been given?

How do you think this produces joy?

Rejoiced with great joy

Matthew 28:1-9

When did the ladies approach the tomb (vs 1)?

What had happened (vs 2)?

How was the angel described (vs 3)?

What happened to the guards when they saw the angel (vs 4)?

What did the angel tell the women not to do (vs 5)?

Why did the angel emphasize that Jesus had done as he said (vs 6)?

What were the ladies told to do (vs 7)?

What was their response (vs 8)?

How do you think they could have both fear and joy (vs 8)?

***In the previous passage, we read how fear was an enemy to joy. Here in this passage we see that both fear and joy were together.

How can a proper fear help produce joy?

How can an improper fear take joy away?

What did the women do when they saw Jesus (vs 9)?

What did Jesus tell them not to do (vs 10)?

Leap for joy

Luke 6:20-23

Who is blessed according to verse 20?

What do you think verse 21 means?

How did you think a person can experience blessings when they are being persecuted (vs 22)?

Why are we told to leap for joy (vs 23)?

How can you experience great joy in the middle of great trials?

Returning with joy

Luke 10:17-20

Who returned to Jesus (vs 17)?

Where had they been (see Luke 10:1)?

Why do you think they returned with joy (vs 17)?

What had these men taken with them (see Luke 10:4)?

How does this help you see that joy is not produced from the things that you own?

What did Jesus say he saw (vs 18)?

What great things did the disciples experience (vs 19)?

What were the disciples told not to rejoice in (vs 20)?

What were the people told to rejoice in (vs 20)?

Why do you think Jesus told them this?

What lessons about joy do you think you can learn from this?

Joy in heaven

Luke 15:3-7

What question did Jesus ask in verse 4?

What did the shepherd do when he found his sheep (vs 5)?

What did he tell his friends to do with him (vs 6)?

What did Jesus say about joy (vs 7)?

What does this passage emphasize about joy?

How is this type of joy the opposite of the world's joy?

Personal Application

What can you learn about God from this passage?

How can you apply what you have learned to your everyday life?

Filled with great joy

Luke 24:36-52

***After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two men on the road to Emmaus. These two men traveled back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples who were gathered together.

What did Jesus declare to the people (vs 36)?

How did the disciples respond (vs 37)?

What did Jesus ask them (vs 38)?

Why do you think he asked them this?

How have you found doubt and fear interfering with joy in your life?

What did Jesus want them to do (vs 39)?

What did Jesus show the disciples (vs 40)?

Why do you think they were still in disbelief (vs 41)?

Why do you think they were experiencing joy in the middle of disbelief?

What did Jesus do as they watched (vs 42-43)?

Why do you think He did this?

What had Jesus expressed to the disciples (vs 44)?

What did Jesus help them see (vs 45)?

What was written about Jesus (vs 46)?

What was the main emphasis of this message (vs 47)?

Why do you think Jesus wanted them to realize that they were witnesses (vs 48)?

What was Jesus going to send to help them (vs 49)?

What happened to Jesus while He was blessing them (vs 50-51)?

What did they return to Jerusalem with (vs 52)?

Why do you think the disappearance of Jesus produced great joy?

Joy is now complete

John 3:22-36

What were both Jesus and John doing (vs 22-23)?

What were some of disciples of John and a Jew discussing (vs 25)?

What was John asked (vs 26)?

What did John declare about receiving things (vs 27)?

Why do you think he said this?

What had John declared (vs 28)?

What did John compare himself and Jesus to (vs 29)?

What did John say about his joy?

How do you think John could have such joy when he was losing followers to Jesus (vs 29)?

What powerful statement did John make in verse 30?

How do you think this type of attitude can lead to great joy?

How is this opposite of what the world often presents?

What did John express about Jesus (vs 31)?

Why is the recognition of the greatness of God vital for true joy?

Why is it vital to believe what Jesus declared (vs 32-33)?

What role does the Holy Spirit play (vs 34)?

What does belief in the Son of God produce (vs 36)?

Joy may be full

John 15:1-11

How did Jesus describe himself and God (vs 1)?

What does God do to help His children produce fruit (vs 2)?

What do you think verse 3 meant?

What do you think it means to abide in Jesus (vs 4)?

What can you do apart from Jesus (vs 5)?

What happens to those who abide in Jesus (vs 6)?

What do you think this meant?

How can God's words abide in you (vs 7)?

What promise are you given in verse 7?

How is God glorified (vs 8)?

What does it mean to bear fruit (vs 8)?

What does bearing fruit prove (vs 8)?

What did Jesus declare about His love (vs 9)?

What do you think it means to abide in the love of Jesus (vs 10)?

Why did Jesus speak these things (vs 11)?

What do you think it means to have your joy full (vs 11)?

Why do you think it was important to Jesus that His followers be full of joy?

In light of this passage, sum up the key to true joy.

Why do you think many believers don't experience the fullness of joy that God has planned for them?

Personal Application

What can you learn about God from this passage?

How can you apply what you have learned to your everyday life?

Sorrow will turn into joy

John 16:16-24

What did Jesus say was going to happen (vs 16)?

Did the disciples understand this (vs 16)?

Where did Jesus say He was going (vs 17)?

***This narrative took place after the Last Supper. Jesus knew He was going to be arrested that night and killed the next day.

What were the disciples confused about (vs 18)?

What were the disciples going to do (vs 20)?

What was going to happen to their sorrow (vs 20)?

What did Jesus compare the sorrow they would experience to (vs 21)?

What would their hearts do after great sorrow (vs 22)?

What was significant about the joy Jesus referred to in verse 22?

How does this reveal that joy and happiness are different things?

What promise was given to believers in verse 23?

How does the ability to go to God in prayer assist in being a person that is full of joy (vs 24)?

Why is it important to realize that prayer and joy go hand in hand?

My joy fulfilled in themselves

John 17:1-26

***Though joy is only mentioned once in this passage, understanding what Jesus prayed for us is important to the understanding of true joy.

What did Jesus know had come (vs 1)?

What authority had God given to Jesus (vs 2)?

What is the source of eternal life (vs 3)?

What had Jesus accomplished (vs 4)?

What did Jesus ask God in verse 5?

Why do you think He asked this?

What was Jesus concerned about doing while on earth (vs 6)?

What did Jesus want His followers to know (vs 7)?

What truth did the disciples realize (vs 8)?

Who was Jesus praying for (vs 9)?

What do you think verse 10 meant?

What did Jesus pray for (vs 11)?

Why do you think unity is a key component to joy?

What had Jesus done (vs 12)?

What did Jesus desire for His followers (vs 13)?

Why did the world hate the followers of Christ (vs 14)?

How do you think followers of Christ can have such joy though they are hated by the world?

What did Jesus not want to happen (vs 15)?

How are believers "not of the world" (vs 16)?

How can followers of Christ be sanctified (vs 17)?

Where have we been sent (vs 18)?

Who did Jesus include in His prayer (vs 20)?

What did Jesus pray for (vs 21)?

What did Jesus want the world to know (vs 23)?

What did Jesus desire (vs 24)?

What did Jesus want to continue to make known and want His followers to make known as well (vs 26)?

Much joy in the city

Acts 8:1-8

What did Saul approve of (vs 1)? — See the end of chapter 7.

What happened to the church (vs 1)?

How did believers respond to the death of Stephen (vs 2)?

What was Saul doing to the church (vs 3)?

What did this persecution force (vs 4)?

How did God use this trial to help spread the Gospel?

Where did Philip go (vs 5)?

What did the crowds experience (vs 6)?

What had God given Philip the ability to do (vs 7)?

What was happening in the city as a result (vs 8)?

How had God used the great persuection of Christians to bring about great joy?

Filled with joy

Acts 13:48-51

***Paul and Barnabas were sharing the Gospel with the people in Antioch of Pisidia.

What did the Gentiles do when they understood salvation was for them (vs 48)?

What rose up against Paul and Barnabas (vs 49-50)?

What did this produce in the disciples (vs 51)? Why?

Personal Application

What can you learn about God from this passage?

How can you apply what you have learned to your everyday life?

Brought joy to the city

Acts 15:1-3

What were some people teaching (vs 1)?

What did Paul and Barnabas do about this (vs 2)?

What did Paul and Barnabas share with the churches they visited as they traveled to Jerusalem (vs 3)?

What happened to the believers who heard this news (vs 3)?

Working for you joy

2 Corinthians 1:15-24

What did Paul want the believers to experience (vs 15)?

***There were some serious sin issues taking place in the Corinthian church and when he visited them he had to deal with these and was very stern in his visit.

What did Paul reveal about his plans (vs 16-17)?

What do you think Paul was saying in verses 18-19?

***It appears that some people were attacking the truthfulness of Paul. He was expressing how he desired to keep his word when he said he would do something, but also understood that sometimes God changes plans on him.

Who is the only one who can always keep His Word (vs 20)?

Why did Paul emphasize that the work that was able to be accomplished was from God (vs 21)?

What has God given us (vs 22)?

Why did Paul say God had caused him not to visit Corinth when he desired to do so (vs 23)?

What was Paul not attempting to do (vs 23)?

***Paul did not want to be like a parent who was always having to correct and instruct because of failure.

What did Paul want them to experience (vs 24)?

Where did this joy come from (vs 24)?

Overflowing with joy

2 Corinthians 7:1-16

What should we desire because of the promises of God (vs 1)?

What was Paul asking the Corinthians to do (vs 2)?

What did Paul express about his feelings (vs 3)?

What was Paul overflowing with (vs 4)? Why?

Why did Paul need the comfort of God (vs 5-6)?

What helped bring great comfort to Paul (vs 7)?

What did Paul not regret (vs 8)?

Why was Paul rejoicing (vs 9)?

How is repentance a vital part of joy?

What does godly grief produce (vs 10)?

How serious were the Corinthians about doing the right thing (vs 11)?

What was the result of the Corithian's choice to do the right thing (vs 13)?

How did their repentance deepen the love among them (vs 14-15)?

Why did Paul rejoice (vs 16)?

Abundance of joy

2 Corinthains 8:1-5

What did Paul want them to know about (vs 1)?

How was the joy of the Macedonian churches described (vs 2)?

What does this reveal about joy?

How did the people give (vs 3)?

Why do you think great sacrifice often leads to great joy?

What did the Macedonians give (vs 4-5)?

Fruit of the Spirit is joy

Galatians 5:16-25

What will happen when you walk in the Spirit (vs 16)?

What are opposite of each other (vs 17)?

What happens when you are led by the Spirit (vs 18)? What do you think this means?

What did Paul say about following the works of the flesh (vs 21)?

What will joy (among other things) be the result of (vs 22)?

What do you think it means to live by the Spirit (vs 22-23)?

Prayer with joy

Philippians 1:3-6

What did Paul thank God for (vs 3)?

How did he make his prayer (vs 4)?

Why was Paul full of joy (vs 5)?

What was Paul sure of (vs 6)?

Joy in the faith

Philippians 1:18-26

What did Paul rejoice in (vs 18)?

What did Paul choose to rejoice in (vs 19)?

What was Paul concerned about (vs 20-21)?

What was Paul struggling with (vs 22-23)?

What did Paul know was necessary (vs 24)?

What did Paul say about joy in verse 25?

Why did Paul want them to be full of joy?

Personal Application

What can you learn about God from this passage?

How can you apply what you have learned to your everyday life?

Complete my joy

Philippians 2:1-10

How did Paul want to be comforted by the Philippians (vs 1-2)?

How would Paul's joy be completed (vs 2)?

How should we not do things (vs 3)?

What should we look at when making choices (vs 4)?

Who was the prime example of this (vs 5)?

How did He live this out (vs 6-7)?

How did Jesus humble Himself (vs 8)?

What did God do as a result (vs 9)?

What will every person do (vs 10-11)?

My joy and crown

Philippians 4:1-4

What do you think Paul meant by describing the Philippians as his joy (vs 1)?

What did Paul desire for them to do (vs 1)?

What was Paul concerned about (vs 3-4)?

What are we commanded to do (vs 4)?

How can we do this (vs 5)?

How does being anxious quell joy (vs 6)?

What is one of the keys to living in joy (vs 6)?

What will God do when we choose to rejoice rather than worry (vs 7)?

Patience with joy

Colossians 1:9-14

What did Paul ask God to do for the Colossians (vs 9)?

What will be the result of a life pleasing to the Lord (vs 10)?

How can we be strengthened (vs 11)?

Why do you think patience and joy are mentioned together (vs 11)?

What will joy have to do with giving thanks (vs 12)?

What has God done for you (vs 13)?

What do we have because of His redemption (vs 14)?

How should this bring about great joy?

Joy of the Holy Spirit

1 Thessalonians 1:2-7

What did Paul remember in his prayers (vs 2-3)?

What did Paul know (vs 4)?

How did the Gospel reach the Thessalonians (vs 5)?

What did the believers become (vs 6)?

Where did their joy come from (vs 7)?

How can we be joyful through afflictions?

How were these believers an example?

Count it all joy

James 1:2-6

When should you be joyful (vs 2)?

How can you be full of joy during these times (vs 3-4)?

What does this reveal about the depth of joy?

How can you practically choose to rejoice in the middle of difficult circumstances?

Why is verse 5 important when it comes to joy through trials?

How should you ask (vs 6)?

Rejoice with joy

1 Peter 1:3-9

What has God caused in you (vs 3)?

Why is a "living hope" so important?

What has been promised to you (vs 4)?

What is God's power able to do (vs 5)?

What did Peter rejoice in (vs 6)?

Does joy come from everything going well? Explain.

What will our testings produce (vs 7)?

What can we trust in (vs 8)?

How can we rejoice with joy even in the midst of great trials (vs 8)?

What is the outcome of our faith (vs 9)?

No greater joy

3 John 1-4

What did John pray for (vs 2)?

What caused great rejoicing for John (vs 3)?

What caused great joy for John (vs 4)?

How does this reveal that true joy does not come from the physical things of this world?

Glory with great joy

Jude 24-25

What is God able to do (vs 24)?

What will be the result when you live a life unto God (vs 24)'?

How do you have the power to live this way (vs 25)?

Are you a person who lives with continual joy? Why or why not?

Personal Application

What can you learn about God from this passage?

How can you apply what you have learned to your everyday life?