Connect Practice gentleness this week by trying (at least once) to choose humility (over rights), invitation (over force), or forgiveness (over condemnation).

Warm-Up

1. What do you think is the difference between happiness and joy? What does our culture suggest is the source of happiness? Why do you agree or disagree?
2. What is the best (or worst!) advice that you’ve heard about how to be—or the need to be—happy?

(Re)Read Galatians 5:22-25

3. How do you think joy relates to the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit?
4. Often ‘joy’ and ‘peace’ are paired throughout the New Testament. Why do you think this is the case?

Read John 16:16-22

5. What does Jesus warn about upcoming events and how the disciples will feel? Why will they grieve?
6. Why do you think the disciples were struggling to understand Jesus’ words about going?
7. Why does Jesus need to go? What analogy does he use? What event will cause their grief to turn to joy?
8. Does Jesus promise the disciples that they will not face hardship or trouble? Does he promise us that?
9. In day-to-day life do you ever struggle to remember (or keep ‘top of mind’, ‘front of heart’) what Jesus has done? What practical rhythms or parts of your life help you to remember this good news?

Read John 16:23-33

10. What—according to Jesus—can the disciples ask of the Father? What does he mean (and not mean)?
11. How is the invitation to prayer an invitation to experience God’s love in the here-and-now? Do you ever have a sense of God’s love when you pray? What do you find helps and hinders that?
12. As you face trouble and challenge, what difference does a future hope and a present experience of God’s love make to you? Has anyone been a particularly good example to you in this regard?
13. Why should the disciples take heart? Do we have the same cause to take heart?
14. In what way is Jesus’ victory complete and permanent? In what ways do we share in that?
15. Who or what can take away our joy? How should that be a daily source of comfort and confidence?
16. What are ways that help you to actively experience the joy of Jesus?

Apply What is one way this week that you can embrace the joy of Jesus more in your everyday life?

On Your Front Line this Week

Who are the three people you are praying for to invite to Alpha?

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen (Sermon): “Infallible Joy” by Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/infallible-joy-9633-3/ 
• Listen (Sermon): “Joy while we wait” by William Taylor: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/5523/ 
• Read (Article): “Joy to the World” by Natasha Moore (CPX)L: https://bit.ly/3ZAbU7h 
• Listen (Song): “Joy to Be” by Citizens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQCkLHmvhUE 
• Read (Book): “Surprised by Joy” by C. S. Lewis:
  To Purchase: https://bit.ly/457GDcN
  ‍St Bart’s Library: https://www.librarycat.org/lib/stbart/item/207640149

Series Resources

• Book: “Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit: Growing in Christ’s Likeness” by Christopher Wright: https://bit.ly/3sE81la  
• Book: “Friendship with God” by Mike McKinley: https://bit.ly/3RdCkcA
• Sermon Series: “Fruit of the Spirit and the Character of Jesus” by Timothy Keller: https://bit.ly/3r5alRY  
• Book (regarding patience): “Becoming Friends of Time” by John Swinton: https://bit.ly/45YskJ7 (or in the St Bart’s Library: https://bit.ly/3r5dyRo )