Untitled Sermon

 Men's Small Group Lesson on Happiness vs. Joy

Opening Question: 

Can you be proud of how you're sowing your time in correspondence with God's assignment on your

life?

Honestly, that's a challenging question — but one that hits hard. If I'm being real, there are moments where I know I’ve spent my time well, investing in the people God’s placed in my life, stepping into what He's called me to do. But there are also times I’ve wasted hours on things that don’t really matter. The truth is, God’s given me an assignment — to lead my family well, to point people to Jesus, to be faithful in my job and ministry. If I’m serious about that, I’ve got to be intentional with my time. Not perfect — but purposeful. Because every minute I spend is a seed planted, and I want to see a harvest that reflects God’s heart, not just my own comfort.

 Overview

Today we're talking about happiness and joy. Often, happiness comes and goes with what’s happening around us—and that is temporary. But joy? Joy is different. It sticks around because it’s based on God, who never changes. We can have joy all the time, even when things aren’t going great, because our joy comes from knowing God’s promises are forever.

 S.O.A.P. Method

 Scripture:

Let’s read these verses together:

- Hebrews 12:1-2 – Keep running the race with your eyes on Jesus- 1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- Nehemiah 8:10 – The joy from the Lord gives us strength- "Then he said to them, 'Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

- Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing can separate us from God’s love- 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- Philippians 4:4 – Always find reasons to be joyful- "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

- Psalm 30:5 – Joy comes after a tough night- "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a lifetime. Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning."

- 1 John 1:9 – God forgives us and cleans us up-"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

 Reflection:

Think about these questions as you listen to God in these verses:

- What’s God showing you today about joy and happiness? I've been seeing that real joy doesn't depend on my day-to-day ups and downs. It's something deeper, something that sticks with me because it's about my connection with God and His promises. Happiness can be fleeting, like when something goes my way or doesn't, but joy is there for the long haul. It’s there because it’s anchored in God’s never-changing nature and His love for me.

- How can knowing about joy help you when you’re facing tough times? Knowing about this kind of deep, stable joy is a big help when I hit rough patches. It’s like having a strong anchor when the seas get rough. Remembering that God’s love and His promises are always there gives me strength to keep going. This joy isn’t about ignoring the hard times but helps me look beyond them to God’s bigger plan. It reminds me that no matter what, there’s hope and good coming, kind of like how the morning brings joy after a night of tears.

 Optional Discussion Questions:

- How have you seen happiness and joy show up differently in your life? In my life, happiness usually shows up when things go my way—like when my team wins a game or I get a break at work. But those are short-lived because it depends so much on what's happening around me. Joy, on the other hand, is something more steady. It’s there even on the rough days because it comes from knowing God is in control and His plans for me are good. Joy isn’t shaken by the daily grind because it’s rooted in my faith and the bigger picture of God’s love.

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 Application:

Let’s talk about how we can use what we’ve learned:

What can you do to keep your joy strong, even when you’re having a hard day?

Here's how we can have joy:

1.   Talk to God Every Day: Just like you’d catch up with your best friend regularly, do the same with God. Spend some time praying and reading the Bible each day. This is how you invite Him into your day and where you’ll find real joy. Nugget: Remember, it's not about checking off a list; it’s about opening up a daily conversation with God. The more you chat, the closer you’ll feel.

2.   Believe in What God Says: God’s promises should be the anchor in your storm. They don’t change, even when everything else does. Trust in His words and you’ll find a joy that doesn’t shake easily. Nugget: Every promise in the Bible is a personal message from God to you. Believe it as if He's speaking right to you.

3.   Count Your Blessings: Every day, try to think of a few things you’re thankful for. This isn't just about being positive; it's about recognizing the good stuff God’s doing in your life. It’s hard to be down when you’re focusing on the good. Nugget: Start a gratitude journal. Writing down blessings makes them more real and is a great reminder for tougher days.

4.   Help Someone Out: You know how good it feels when you’ve done something helpful for someone else? That’s joy right there. Look for ways to serve others—it could be at church, in our community, or even just helping out a buddy. Nugget: Serving isn't just about the big stuff; even small acts of kindness can spread big joy.

5.   Hang Out with Other that will uplift you: Spend time with folks who lift you up and share your values. This community can be a huge boost, especially when you’re feeling low. Nugget: Iron sharpens iron. When we’re together, we can help each other stay strong and joyful.

6.   Think About God's Goodness: Take time to think about how good God is. Reflecting on His love, mercy, and grace can really boost your spirit. Nugget: When you see a sunset, a smiling baby, or any beautiful scene, remember it’s a gift from God to remind you of His goodness.

7.   See Challenges as Chances to Grow: When tough times hit, think of them as opportunities to grow stronger in your faith. Joy comes when you conquer these challenges with God’s help. Nugget: Remember, every challenge is a lesson that God is using to write your story.

1.        Things to Let Go: What do you need to stop worrying about to really hold onto God’s joy?

2.     Showing Joy: How can the joy you have inside show others about God’s love?

·      Sharing Our Stories: Just like I’m doing now, we can all share our challenges and how God has worked in our lives. When we’re open about our struggles and God’s intervention, it gives others hope and points them to His love and power.

·      Living Out Forgiveness: Our marriage survived because of forgiveness and grace—qualities that God gives us in abundance. When we practice these in our lives, others can see the change and feel the impact of God’s transformative love.

·      Keeping a Grateful Heart: I’ve learned to be more thankful, and I express that gratitude often. This isn’t just about feeling good; it’s a witness to the joy and peace that come from living in God's grace. It encourages others to look for the good, even in hard times.

·      Supporting Each Other: Having been through this, I feel I can offer more genuine support to those facing similar troubles. It’s about passing on the comfort and help that God has given us, showing His love in action.

·      Showing Love in the Little Things: Every day, I try to reflect God’s love through small acts—whether it’s a kind word, patience, or just a listening ear. These actions might seem small, but they carry a lot of weight in showing what God’s love looks like in everyday life.

3.     Building Life on Truth: How does focusing on what God says instead of your situation change how you feel day-to-day?

·      Stability in the Storm: Life can be unpredictable and challenging, but God's word remains constant. When we anchor ourselves in what He says, it gives us a steady foundation, no matter what's happening around us. This stability brings peace that really lasts.

·      Seeing the Bigger Picture: By focusing on God’s perspective—His plans and purposes—we can see our situations through a different lens. It helps us understand that maybe what we’re going through has a greater purpose, or it’s shaping us in important ways. This can turn our worries into opportunities for growth.

·      Building Our Faith: Every time we choose to trust what God says over what our fears or surroundings suggest, our faith gets stronger. It's like exercise for our spiritual muscles. The more we do it, the more natural it becomes to rely on Him rather than our own understanding.

·      Finding True Joy: God talks a lot about joy and peace in the scriptures. When we focus on these promises and really lean into them, they begin to infuse our lives. This joy isn’t based on things going perfectly but on the perfect nature of God Himself.

·      Guided Actions: Lastly, concentrating on God's teachings helps us figure out the right way to live and treat others. It's not just about feeling better; it's about doing better. When we live according to God’s will, there's a sense of purpose and fulfillment that comes into our daily lives.

I've found that making this shift doesn't just change individual moments; it transforms our entire outlook.

 Challenge for the Week:

Pick one thing that usually gets you down. Every time it comes up, remind yourself of something true about God instead. See how it changes your week and share it with us next time.

 Closing

Action Step: 

Think about what we talked about today. What’s one thing you can try doing this week to live out this truth? Let’s promise to do it and talk about how it went when we meet again.