More Joy | Sept 23 – 30, 2018
Message Big Idea
Jesus offers us more joy as we remain closely linked to him.
Scripture
Ice Breaker & Opening Thought
- If someone gave you $10,000, what would you do with it?
- According to Jesus, the way we get more out of life is to pursue and remain closely linked to him. This is one of the most basics teachings of Christian faith, yet it is one of those truths we have to keep learning over and over again. What have you discovered about getting more out of life?
Bible Discussion
- Read John 15:1-11. What did you notice?
- The word “remain” is used 11 times in the first ten verses of this passage. We could understand it as staying “as close to Jesus as you can.” What do you think it means to stay as close to Jesus as you can?
- Jesus emphasizes obedience to his commands. What are those commands and why do you think obedience to them is so vital to remaining in Jesus?
Life Application
- Jesus talks about obedience, and he is a champion of grace. Like many important relationships, grace is the environment in which obedience is a joyful and life-giving experience. In what ways can we live in God’s grace while also becoming more obedient to Jesus’ commands?
- Two ways we can remain in Jesus is to celebrate Jesus personally (individual prayer, Scripture reading, silence, and solitude) and we can celebrate him interpersonally (in the company of others). The challenge for this series is to grow in one of these two for the next eight weeks. Which one comes more naturally to you? Which one is more of a challenge?
- How do you want to grow in the next eight weeks? How can you be helpful to one another as a group?
Challenge
Jesus offers us complete and enduring joy. So if we feel unsatisfied or unfinished, Jesus invites us into a joy-filled, fruit-bearing existence in him. It doesn’t mean life will be like sleeping on a bed of roses, but it does promise a joy anchored in the reality of God that provides meaning, purpose, and sustenance that life’s worst circumstances can’t take away.
