Group Discussion & Life Challenge
Use these notes as discussion prompts for your group, or in your personal time with God.
Connect:
Get to know each other. Connect, warm up to each other, fellowship.
Care:
Carry each other’s burdens. Share life’s challenges and practice Soul Care. Pray together.
Challenge:
1. Most have had dreams that wish had come true, what is one dream that you have carried in life? Has it happened?
2. Simeon held onto hope of GOd doing what He said He would do and then experienced the joy of holding the savior in His hands. A Dream Come True. Can you recall a moment of Joy and describe that Joy to the group?
3. This is not the easiest exercise, because what is a joyous time for one might not be for others. How do you feel you handle being Joyful for others in times when you are sad?
4. What are the things that you go to for happiness in sad times? What are some things you avoid when you are in sadness?
5. Read Isaiah 51 together – What does it mean to restore the Joy of my salvation? Or to Renew a right Spirit within me? Are these things similar and how are they helpful?
6. Jesus was Joyous, what did He do with His time to experience Joy? How might your time look different this Chiristmas season to maximise joy over mere happy moments? Matthew 18:13/ Hebrews 12:2
Clarify:
Does anyone need clarity on something? Are there any big God questions you are wrestling with?
Celebrate:
Celebrate life’s successes and God’s provision. Worship God’s presence. Time to brag about God.
BibleApp
Through the Bible in one Year
Join us in reading through the entire Bible in one year. Each day of this plan guides you through passages from both the Old and New Testaments, allowing you to see connections between the history of our faith, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Readings average four chapters in length, so it is posible to do. When you use the YouVersion Bible App, you can even have the app read the Bible text to you – very useful when you are in the car or otherwise occupied with your hand.
All you need to do is click the link to the Bible Plan, which should lead you straight to the Bible app. Your two options are now (1) to read the plan on your own, one day at the time. Or (2) you can make it more fun and rewarding, by sharing the plan with one or more friends, and then even “Talk about it”.