Sermon Response Guide
Sermon Response Guide En Español
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8 – 20
Key Points
- Joy is a focus before it’s a feeling.
- Joy comes in the:
1) arrival of God
2) presence of God
3) sharing of God
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“God deals out joy in the present, the now.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:20 MSG
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: Author Randy Alcorn said, “Happiness is an emotion and temporary; joy is an attitude of the heart.” What does that mean to you?
2: How can joy become an attitude of your heart today?
3: In Philippians 4:4, Paul writes, “Celebrate God all day, every day,” (MSG). Why is God worthy of celebrating not only on Christmas Day, but all day, every day?
4: What are some ways you can personally celebrate God all day, every day, starting today?
5: Why do you think God is glorified in our joy?
6: Read Hebrews 12:1 – 2. As you reflect on this passage, what do you learn about joy from Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,” (ESV)?
7: How have you experienced the joy of Jesus in a fresh way this Christmas season?
8: Pause and ask God who you need to share the joy of Jesus with this week. Wait for God to respond, and then, get creative. How will you tangibly share joy with the person/people God placed on your heart?
Pray
Lord, no matter what life looks like in this moment, we confess you are our joy. Help us believe fullness of joy is found as we live in you and do as you do. You have already given us abundant joy, so help us to look for (and fight for) your gift of joy in every moment. Joy has come, and joy has won. Show us how to live a life of celebration in your presence all day, every day, starting today.
