Message: Finding Joy
Speaker: Tim Bounds
In this life, there will be times to grieve and rejoice--God leads us through both.
Psalm 118: 22-24
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4
Discuss what these verses say about time of rejoicing and time of sorrows.
Can we experience both at the same time?
How do you Rejoice in times of sorrow?
What are some of the feelings that you have been experiencing the past several weeks?
Do you have a favorite song that you can sing during those times of pain? Does it help you to rejoice? How?
Share with your group what helps you in your time of grief, is it prayer, music, nature?
Read and Discuss
Read Nehemiah 8:10
Why were the people grieved? Why did they have reason to rejoice?
Do you grieve when you realize you have not obeyed God's Word? In that time, what can cause you to rejoice?
Read Philippians 4:4 and II Corinthians 8:1-2
What is the background of these verses? Why did Paul tell them to rejoice?
Jesus in the Garden - John 15: 9,11
What was happening in these verses? In His time of great sorrow and grief, Jesus tells His disciples to His joy will be made complete? How?
Scripture Verses to Go Deeper
Read and Reflect on the following verses: Psalm 118: 22-29, Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11
Why is Jesus called the stone?
Who rejected that stone and why?
Why did the psalmist say to rejoice (in Psalm 118)? What day is the psalmist referring to?