The Fruits of the Spirit: Joy

The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”  Galatians 5:24

The Dictionary:  Joy   n. 1. Very glad feeling; happiness; great pleasure; delight.  2.  Anything causing this feeling.  3. The expression of this feeling. 

Psychologists:

William Glasser: “Joy is found when we have significant loving relationships in our lives.”

Viktor Frankl:  “Joy is the result of having meaning and purpose in life.”

Bruno Bettelheim:  “Joy comes when we have hope.”

• Which psychologist do you most agree with?  Why?
• Are “joy” and “happiness” the same thing?  Why/why not?
• Define “joy”

What do the following Bible verses teach about the source or cause of joy?

The Lord has put joy in my heart.  Ps. 4:7

I will be glad and rejoice in my God.  Ps. 9:2

I will go to the house of the Lord, to God who is my joy, and I will praise Him.  Ps. 43:4

The Lord has made me glad by His work; at the works of His hands, I sing for joy.  Ps. 92:4

Let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation!  Isaiah 25:9

May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.  Rom. 15:13

• Where do people tend to look for joy?  Think of as many as you can!  Evaluate their value as joy givers
• To discover joy, Scripture calls us not to look out there or in us but rather to look where?

The Bible calls us to focus on the Lord – and so rejoice!  Read the following verses:

Clap you hands, all you people!  Shout to God with loud songs of joy!  Ps. 47:1

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”  Ps. 122:1

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!  Phil. 4:4

Sadly, Christians aren’t known for their joy!  What do the following verses prescribe for us?

Do everything without grumbling or complaining.  Phil. 2:14

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!  Let all people know your forbearance.  The Lord is near!  Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving in your hearts, let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God that passes all our understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 4:4-7

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, then dwell on these things.  Phil. 4:8

• To know God is to rejoice!!  What hinders that?  What gets in the way of that?
• What specific advice does Scripture give to the Christian crab?
• What specific advice could you give yourself when you feel like a Christian crab?
• What people or activities help you embrace Christian joy?
• What can you do about the “Lucys” you encounter in church?

Image http://oursinglepurpose.com