Discussion Questions

How would you describe the difference between being happy and being joyful?

Describe the last time you felt joyful.

Read Luke 2:8–20. Why do you think God chose to give the best news in the world to the lowest class of people in that culture, the shepherds? How might being included in this story illicit joy from them and us here and now?

Read Isaiah 9:2–7 and Revelation 21:1–7. How are these two passages related? What is the role of joy in each one? How might we experience joy because of the promise found in these scriptures?