Everyday Joy, Part 1: Searching for Happiness

We loved seeing everyone this weekend! Feel free to message us during the week if you have any questions. If you missed this week’s message, or want to hear it again, be sure to check out our SERMONS Page. Messages are generally posted each week by Tuesday afternoon.

Every week, it’s our goal to provide you with some questions to process the message deeper, either personally, or with a small group. Here are some questions for you to consider from part 1 of the EVERYDAY JOY series, “Searching for Happiness”, with Pastor Shawn M. Shoup.

KEY SCRIPTURES

• John 15
• Hebrews 12:2
• 1Thessalonians 2:17
• Galatians 5:22-23

TALK IT OUT

Discuss these questions with someone—maybe a family member, friend, or member of your Connect Group. Use a communication method that works best for your situation. 

Start talking

Find a conversation starter.  

• Define joy, happiness, gratitude, and abiding.
• What is the difference between joy and happiness?
• Can happiness and joy look the same? Explain.
• Where do you find joy?

Start thinking

Ask a question to get you/your group thinking. 

• When you are asked, “Who is a joyful person?” Who in your world comes to mind? Why?
• Would you be described as joyful or happy?
• How is being gratefully related to joy?

Start sharinG

Choose a question to create openness. 

• What is an emotion that might be the opposite of joy or gratitude?
• Where does Jesus fit in your emotional world?

Start praying

Be bold and pray with power. 

Father,

Help me to notice when I am walking in Your joy and when I am not. Thank You for opening my eyes to wherever You need to work in order to declutter my heart. I chose to let You have the freedom to do what You need to do to allow me to live in Your joy.

Amen and amen.

Start doing

Commit to a step and live it out this week. 

1. Take time each day to note if you are joyful, happy, etc.
2. Ask God if you need to forgive, what you need to let go, etc.
3. Where are you serving or giving of your time in service?
4. Draw a picture or write a story of what being decluttered in your life would look like.
5. Find the root of your joy.

• Pick one or two of those options and take steps to walk them out this week.

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