For discussion questions, click the button above.

For discussion questions, click the button above

– Have you ever had or thrown a surprise party? 

– In your opinion, what is the difference between the spiritual discipline of celebration and celebration in general? 

– What things get in the way of you being able to celebrate others? 

– Read Luke 7:44-46. What leads Simon and the woman to behave the way that they do? What does Jesus want to teach Simon? 

– What do you think prevents Simon from being able to see the woman like Jesus does? Where can this show up in your own life?

– What is one way you can celebrate more this week?

– Do you prefer a real or artificial Christmas tree, and why? What’s your favorite Christmas tradition that brings you joy every year?

– Think of the most joyful person you know. What stands out about them?

– Can you share a time in your life when you felt deeply fulfilled or full of joy? What made that moment so meaningful?

– Isaiah talked about how joy is fulfilled through God’s greatest demonstration of love: salvation. How has understanding the gospel (the good news) brought you joy, even in challenging times?

– Simeon shared the good news of God’s fulfilled promise with others. How can you share joy in your own life so that others can see God’s work in you? What part of your story could encourage someone else?

– Describe a time when someone else’s joy made you joyful.

– Read Luke 2:1-20. At what point in the story does joy break in?

– What made the characters joyful? What reactions to this joy are listed in the text?

– How do we see different reactions to Jesus coming today?

– What is your favorite Christmas song/movie?

– What is your response to this John Ortberg quote: “God is the most joyful being in the universe.” Do you experience God or church as joyful? Why or why not?

– But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,(Galatians 5:22). How do you see this fruit grow in your life or in others? How does joy play a role? 

– Have you considered the concept that God finds joy in you? How does that change your picture or experience of God?

– Together, read Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:2-7. How do these passages show God’s promise being fulfilled through Jesus? What’s something in your life you’re waiting on God to accomplish?

– In what ways have you experienced the difference between joy and happiness? How does your faith help you experience joy even when circumstances are difficult?

– How do you interpret the imagery of “joy overtaking sorrow” in Isaiah 35:10? How have you seen this kind of transformation in your life and/or the lives of others?

– Read Jesus’ words in John 15:9-11 and John 16:22-24. How do they challenge or encourage your understanding of joy as a gift from God?

– Romans 15:13 speaks of joy and peace through trust in God. What’s one practical way you and/or your group can reflect and share this joy during this Advent season?

– What is the best gift you’ve ever received?

– What is the first thing you remember spending “a lot” of money on? (Whatever “a lot” meant to you at the time!)

– What impacted you from the message?

– Read Mark 10:17–27. Why do you think Jesus highlighted the Rich Young Man’s wealth as a barrier to following him? Do your finances affect your faith? Explain.

– How can generosity shift our trust from money to God? Do you have an experience with being generous that changed your trust in God?

– Much of the western world is considered to be materialistic or possessionfocused. Do you fall into those categories? What sort of relationship do you have with your possessions?

– Read Philippians 4:10–13. What perspective allows Paul to write these words? How is contentment found, according to Scripture? Where do we look for it instead?

– How can you practice whole life stewardship (giving of your time, talents and treasure)? Give some examples from your own life.

– How would you describe your pace of life right now – fast, slow, or right where you’d like it to be? What appeals to you about living slowly? 

– We’re told that Sabbath is about stopping. What keeps you from stopping? How does stopping honor God? 

– Describe what rest feels like. What sorts of practices in your life bring about true rest? How does Genesis 2:3 create a model of rest for us? 

– Does joy play a role in your faith? Describe what that is like. If not, what makes it challenging for you to experience joy in your faith?

– Read Exodus 20:8-11. What might it mean for Sabbath to be a “holy” day? Why does God care so much about the Sabbath day?

– Can you see yourself practicing Sabbath? If so, what is your plan? If not, what is standing in your way?