Group Answers Episode 181: Barnabas Piper on Hoping for Happiness

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Barnabas Piper about his new book, Hoping for Happiness, where he offers a biblical framework for living a grounded, hopeful, and genuinely happy life.

Barnabas Piper is on staff at Immanuel Nashville. He is also an author and speaker and the father of two daughters. He cohosts the Happy Rant podcast and blogs at BarnabasPiper.com.

Questions:

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In what ways does happiness look different for everybody?

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Is it wrong to want to be happy?

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What’s the difference between happiness and joy? Is one holier?

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How are we to experience happiness in this life while setting our minds on things above?

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How do we avoid expecting too much of earthly things and being disappointed, or expecting too little and becoming cynics?

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What kinds of unrealistic expectations do we have of happiness?

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Why do Christians feel guilty about happiness? How do we address that Biblically?

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How can we share our happiness with those who are hurting without making it worse?

The Group Answers Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in Lifeway’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at Lifeway and author of Leading Small Groups.