joy

Advent 3: “Joy” Video Chat

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The lessons focus on significant words of the season. They are arranged: 1. Hope, 2. Peace, 3. Joy, and 4. Love. However, feel free to arrange them according to the Advent practices of your congregation.

Prep

Imbed the two videos into your video conferencing software. Watch this video to learn how to share video on your Zoom call. Create two screens with the texts for Psalm 126 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24.

Getting Started

Welcome all guests. Conduct a brief time for introductions of new participants.

Briefly review the scope of the study and The Bible Project. Revisit expectations regarding group dynamics, such as honoring one another with respect.

Offer an opening prayer.

Prompt discussion: When you hear the word “joy,” what comes to your mind? What feelings or memories are evoked?

Digging In

Introduce the video: In this video, we explore the unique type of joy to which God’s people are called. It’s more than happy mood, but rather a choice to trust that God will fulfill God’s promises.

Watch the video.

Following the video, note key ideas, such as the prevalance of joy or happiness in the Bible; biblical sources of joy; and joy as an attitude adopted based on hope in God’s promises. 

Invite participants to offer comments and observations on what they saw and drew. Discuss: Joy is a choice. It is an attitude that focuses on the character of God and rises above circumstances. Joy is different from happiness, which depends on happenstance. Joy is possible even in the midst of sorrow and suffering. Joy is the pure and simple delight in being alive in God’s world and in serving others and rejoicing in their good fortune.

Introduce Psalm 126. Psalm 126 is a community prayer for deliverance based on the remembrance of past deliverance. It is about joy remembered, and joy anticipated.

Invite volunteers to read Psalm 126 with resounding joy in their voices. The phrase “When the Lord restores the fortunes of Zion” refers to the people’s return to Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile. We can imagine the joy the people felt upon returning to their home.

Discuss: What emotions are evoked when you imagine dry river beds coursing with water? Of farmers rejoicing as they harvest a bountiful crop in the wake of drought? How do past restorations lead people to hope in God’s present and future restorations? For what do we hope in our homes and communities? Where is God bringing reconciliation and renewal?

Invite volunteers to read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. Paul responds to a church that has been asking how they can rejoice in the Lord when people were dying? How could they continue to trust and believe that Jesus was “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) in the midst of their grieving? Paul assures them in the second coming of Christ and the raising of the dead and calls them to rejoice in their lives regardless of the circumstances.

Watch this video and try not to be caught up in the joy!

Concluding Options

1. Have members of your group recall three of the most joyous moments you have experienced together during this Advent study.

2. Discuss: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 combines rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. Wonder together about the relationship between the three. Can you have one without the other two? How do rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks work together in your life?

3. Brainstorm ways you can be signs of God’s joy in the world. Choose a project to live out your commitment to joy, such as collecting smiles to see how many different ones you can gather.

Prayer

O God, give us joy even as our world fills us with sorrow. Help us to live joyful lives that witness to your abiding presence and promises. Thank you for delivering good news of great joy, the birth of Jesus Christ, your son and our savior. Amen.

Advent 3: “Joy” Face-to-Face Gatherings

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The lessons focus on significant words of the season. They are arranged: 1. Hope, 2. Peace, 3. Joy, and 4. Love. However, feel free to arrange them according to the Advent practices of your congregation.

Prep

Ready the videos; gather an Advent wreath with candles and matches; provide Bibles and refreshments, paper and colored pencils.

Getting Started

Welcome all guests. Conduct a brief time for introductions of new participants.

Briefly review the scope of the study and The Bible Project. Revisit expectations regarding group dynamics, such as honoring one another with respect.

Offer an opening prayer. Light three Advent candles.

Prompt discussion: When you hear the word “joy,” what comes to your mind? What feelings or memories are evoked?

Digging In

Make available paper and colored pencils and invite participants to doodle or draw as they watch the video.

Introduce the video: In this video, we explore the unique type of joy to which God’s people are called. It’s more than happy mood, but rather a choice to trust that God will fulfill God’s promises.

Watch the video.

Following the video, note key ideas, such as the prevalance of joy or happiness in the Bible; biblical sources of joy; and joy as an attitude adopted based on hope in God’s promises. 

Invite participants to offer comments and observations on what they saw and drew. Discuss: Joy is a choice. It is an attitude that focuses on the character of God and rises above circumstances. Joy is different from happiness, which depends on happenstance. Joy is possible even in the midst of sorrow and suffering. Joy is the pure and simple delight in being alive in God’s world and in serving others and rejoicing in their good fortune.

Introduce Psalm 126. Psalm 126 is a community prayer for deliverance based on the remembrance of past deliverance. It is about joy remembered, and joy anticipated.

Invite volunteers to read Psalm 126 with resounding joy in their voices. The phrase “When the Lord restores the fortunes of Zion” refers to the people’s return to Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile. We can imagine the joy the people felt upon returning to their home.

Discuss: What emotions are evoked when you imagine dry river beds coursing with water? Of farmers rejoicing as they harvest a bountiful crop in the wake of drought? How do past restorations lead people to hope in God’s present and future restorations? For what do we hope in our homes and communities? Where is God bringing reconciliation and renewal?

Invite volunteers to read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. Paul responds to a church that has been asking how they can rejoice in the Lord when people were dying? How could they continue to trust and believe that Jesus was “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) in the midst of their grieving? Paul assures them in the second coming of Christ and the raising of the dead and calls them to rejoice in their lives regardless of the circumstances.

Watch this video and try not to be caught up in the joy!

Concluding Options

1. Have members of your group recall three of the most joyous moments you have experienced together during this Advent study.

2. Discuss: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 combines rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. Wonder together about the relationship between the three. Can you have one without the other two? How do rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks work together in your life?

3. Brainstorm ways you can be signs of God’s joy in the world. Choose a project to live out your commitment to joy, such as collecting smiles to see how many different ones you can gather.

Prayer

O God, give us joy even as our world fills us with sorrow. Help us to live joyful lives that witness to your abiding presence and promises. Thank you for delivering good news of great joy, the birth of Jesus Christ, your son and our savior. Amen.

Choose Joy and Love

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“Live in joy and in love, even among those who hate.” – The Buddha

The Buddha’s words are a challenge and a goal. In a world that seems full of discord, where people prey upon our fears and hatred is sensationalized, it is difficult to remain joyful and loving. But it is not impossible. We can choose to practice joy and love every day. We can choose to respond to others in joy and love, even when they choose hatred.

Choose Joy!

Joy is more than being happy or always up. Joy is an internal sense of well-being and hope. Even when life is difficult, you can still find joy in life. If you are feeling joyless, take steps to bring joy back into your heart.

  1. Begin and end each day with gratitude and a renewed commitment to look for joy.
  2. Surround yourself with people who make you happy.
  3. Choose experiences and activities that bring you joy.
  4. Smile and laugh out loud.
  5. Watch a cute or funny video or program.
  6. Listen to music and dance.
  7. Go outside and enjoy the natural world.

Choose Love!

To love someone is to honor them as a person of value. There are many kinds of love. For instance, the love we have for a significant other is different than the love we feel for our parents or children. What does it mean to love all humanity, even those who hate? Jesus said, “Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.” We can choose to show kindness to all people and consider their humanity.

  1. Pray for the people with whom you disagree or who treat you badly.
  2. Debate the issues and refrain from attacking the person.
  3. Spend as little time as possible with people who are not kind to you or who give you negative energy. Do not give up on showing them compassion and respect.
  4. Spend more time with the people who love you.
  5. Say “thank you” when someone does something nice for you.
  6. Show compassion and give support to people in need.
  7. Forgive and graciously accept forgiveness.

If you want to know more about living into joy and love, contact me. I can help you!

A Coach’s Coach

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May 12, 2018 initiated a devastating year for me (Mark). My adult son David died after a 10-year struggle with osteosarcoma. Then, on March 1, 2019, I was laid off by my employer of 13 years.

The anguish of the past year remains mostly unresolved in my heart. I miss my son terribly; he was my best friend. I miss the work that gave my life meaning and the people with whom I spent most waking hours for more than a decade.

People suggested that I see a therapist following David’s death. I sought help at a local grief center, but quit after two sessions. I felt the grief counselor was focused on empathizing with my loss, filling up the silence with stories of her own tragedies. I needed someone to walk with me through my grief, yet remain outside my experience—because it was MY experience.

This is where I brag on Peggy, my wife and my partner. Peggy is a bonafide certified coach. Without an official “coach-coachee” relationship, Peggy would occasionally throw a question my way when she noticed me struggling. Questions like:

“What one word describes your grief today? How is that different from last week?”

“What color is your grief?”

“What are some ways you can honor David’s life?”

“Where do you imagine your grief will have led you after another five years?”

And then following my lay-off:

“What have you learned about yourself in the way you responded to the news?”

“How can you be kind to yourself? How will you do that?”

Peggy has a way of inviting her clients to take a step back and look at their situations from a different angle. My grief persists, but thanks to Peggy’s ability and commitment to professional coaching, each day is a bit better. Three steps forward, two steps back, sometimes—but I am moving forward.