Joy and Celebration
LESSON 9
JOY AND CELEBRATION
Evidence of a Changed Heart
TEACHING AIM: To communicate that joy is a fruit of the Spirit and celebration is an appropriate response of God’s people to all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ (Eph. 1:3).
WHY STUDY THIS LESSON? The Bible teaches that we can have joy even in the midst of life’s trials (Jas. 1:2) and joy is evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives (Gal. 5:22).
DESIRED OUTCOME/PRACTICE: The practices of joy and celebration are so important to overcome the discouragement of the various trials and snares that come our way, so that we remember our blessedness and the hope we have. The practice of joy is often a personal one that we ask the Spirit to evidence in our lives, since joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Celebration, on the other hand, is often a communal practice, as we join our brothers and sisters in Christ to celebrate the Lord and all He is and all He has done for us.
Background Passage: Philippians 4
Focal Passage: Philippians 4:4-9
· We are called to rejoice in the Lord always (v. 4).
· Surrendering all things to God brings peace beyond understanding which brings us joy (vv. 5-7).
· Having our minds dwell on good things brings peace and joy (vv. 8-9).
Memory Verse: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice (Phil. 4:4)!
Preparing to Teach
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and celebration brings joy to our lives, strengthening the community of faith. Joy and celebration should be the end result of practicing the other disciplines, because we practice these not simply out of duty, but from a heart that longs to commune with God, obey Him, and find joy in His presence.
Prepare a tear sheet or display on the board the following quotes about Christian joy:[1]
(1) Find joy in the ordinary. –Max Lucado
(2) …the habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy, and zeal. –J.I. Packer
(3) When the joy in your life is obvious, it rubs off on others. But when you keep God’s joy locked inside you and don’t allow it to show on your face, you’re depriving those around you of a pleasant and refreshing experience. –Joyce Meyer
Gather pencils and sheets of paper to distribute for the suggested activity in the section, “It’s My Decision.”
Post a blank tear sheet on the wall to record responses to the brainstorming activity suggested in the “Conclusion” section.
Pre-enlist a learner to offer the closing prayer that specifically praises God for His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us.
TEACHING SUGGESTIONS
CELEBRATE!
Display on the board or a tear sheet the quotes about Christian joy from Max Lucado, J.I. Packer, and Joyce Meyer.
Ask learners to review the quotes and select one that holds the most meaning for them. Call on volunteers to identify the quote they chose and its impact.
Introduce the lesson topic of joy and celebration as evidence of a changed heart. Call on a volunteer to read aloud Hebrews 12:2b. Ask: What was Jesus’ source of joy even as He faced the cross with its pain and humiliation? If the point is not made during the discussion, emphasize the truth that, for the Christian, joy should be present even in the midst of crises or trials. Call attention to the “Why Study This Lesson?” section in the Venture Up Travelogue (p. 89). Note especially the definition of joy: Joy is evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
Point out that, like the other topics on spiritual practices, joy and celebration are key practices in the journey toward Christlikeness.
REJOICE!
Lecture briefly on the background and message of Philippians, using the following points: (1) The Book of Philippians is Paul’s most personal letter; (2) Paul planted the church at Philippi during his second missionary journey about A.D. 51; (3) He wrote to thank the Philippian church for its financial support; (4) The Book of Philippians contributes insights on commitment and growing to be like Christ; and (5) Paul urged the Philippian Christians to practice Jesus' teachings by, first of all, imitating His actions. Among human examples of growing more like Jesus, Paul cited Timothy, Epaphroditus, and himself.[2]
Comment that Paul wrote Philippians from a Roman prison where he was awaiting execution. Emphasize that despite his difficult circumstances, Paul chose joy in the Lord as the dominant force in his life.
Ask learners to read silently Philippians 4:4-9 and identify key elements of rejoicing in the Lord. Call on volunteers to respond. Elements should include the capacity to rejoice even in the midst of difficulties, living in the awareness of God’s presence in all circumstances, trusting that God always has our best interest at heart, giving worries and concerns to the Lord, and practicing the discipline of daily expressing gratitude to God.
Discuss ways your church celebrates God’s blessings together. Ask: How could we do this even better?
Comment that many churches today refer to funeral or memorial services as celebrations of life. Tell the following story: Jo Waldrup, an incredible Christian who never met someone without finding out if that person was a Christian, lived into her 90s. Plainspoken, she never hesitated to let her opinions be known, including a preference for using and wearing bright colors at a funeral to symbolize joy and celebration. Many family members and friends attended her service wearing red, her favorite color. Stories told about Jo drew laughter from those gathered. A few years earlier, Jo had appeared in a church video touting the value of building a chapel where, among other things, weddings could be held. Jo, in her 80s at the time, dressed in a white wedding gown and the speed of the video was increased to make her appear to be running at top speed over the future site of the chapel. During the celebration service, held in the completed chapel, people viewing that video laughed out loud, commenting that Jo, if present, would have enjoyed it more than anyone.
Ask: How does celebrating the life of a faithful believer illustrate rejoicing in the Lord?
Discuss these questions from the Travelogue, (p. 92): When your life is filled with joy, how will you approach people? How will you approach troubling situations?
Ask learners to read silently John 15:10-11. Discuss ways individual believers can celebrate God’s blessings.
Emphasize God wants believers to have and experience joy in the Lord. Call on volunteers to suggest ways to celebrate God’s blessings.
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Teaching Option
Lead learners to brainstorm occasions when a church might hold a celebration. Examples might include paying off a debt, recognizing volunteer leaders, dedicating a building, starting a mission or church, celebrating Christian holidays. Discuss ways such celebrations may strengthen a church.
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HAVE A PARTY!
Point out that the Old Testament includes many examples of corporate celebrations. As an example, comment that after the massive job of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem had been completed, Nehemiah and Ezra convened the people for a reading of God’s Word and a celebration.
Read aloud Nehemiah 8:8-12 which describes the events that unfolded. Discuss the following questions: (1) Why did the people begin to weep rather than celebrate? (2) Why is it important today for churches to celebrate important milestones? (3) Why do you think sending portions of food to the hungry was included as an element of the celebration?
Point out that believers can celebrate God’s blessings in their lives simply by focusing on the good and beautiful things God provides. Challenge learners in the coming week to identify each day one good or beautiful blessing they see or experience, write it down, and thank God for it. Ask: How can activities such as these increase your joy in the Lord?
IT’S MY DECISION
Distribute paper and pencils and instruct learners they have two minutes to list blessings they experience from God. When time is up, discuss how recalling and listing some of God’s blessings makes them feel. Ask: Why is it better to thank God for specific blessings than give a blanket thanks to Him for all the blessings He has provided?
Point out that God has given believers everything they need to be joyful, but believers must make the choice for themselves. Call on volunteers to share ways they choose joy and how they express it, especially in difficult times.
Call on a volunteer to read aloud Hebrews 13:5b, 8. Ask: How do these promises from God contribute to your ability to choose joy?
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Teaching Option
Pose this question: Why do some believers show their joy in the Lord more consistently than others? Discuss responses. Call on volunteers to describe someone they consider to be a truly joy-filled Christian and identify specific ways they express their joy in the Lord. Ask: How does their joy affect people around them?
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Ask: On a scale of 1-10 (10 being high), how would you rate yourself as a joy-filled Christian? Ask learners to write the number on the paper used earlier in the class. Beside the number, ask them to list one action they could take to improve their joy rating.
Conclusion
Call attention to the quote from Max Lucado used in the lesson introduction: Find joy in the ordinary. Lead learners to brainstorm specific ways they can practice finding joy in the ordinary. List responses on a tear sheet or the board. Call on volunteers to identify actions they want to incorporate into their lives. Pledge to send the brainstormed list to each member in this week’s email message.
Pray
Call on the pre-enlisted learner to lead the closing prayer of praise for God’s promise that He will never leave or forsake us.
Follow Through
Midway through the week, send a follow-up email to your group with some or all of the following information.
· Call attention to the attached brainstormed list of ways to find joy in the ordinary from the last session discussion on joy and celebration.
· Include prayer requests from the last session, including updates. Urge learners to pray for these requests and any others they are aware of.
· Urge learners to use their meditation time this week to review the spiritual practices sessions for the quarter. Encourage them to list practices they want to strengthen or add to their time with the Lord.
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[1] http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/Joy-Quotes/
[2] HCSB Study Bible. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2010), 2039-42.