LifeGroup Notes

BIG IDEA
This Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of joy. It is called, from the Latin, Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday in which we say to one another, “Let’s celebrate!” But haven’t we been celebrating all month, one might ask? Well, in some sense, yes, every day is a celebration of God’s goodness, and the culture around us is certainly in celebration mode at this time of year. And that’s a wonderful thing.

But the rhythms of the Christian life allow us a different perspective and sometimes a retreat from the facile frenzy around us. Such is Advent. This is the season of expectation, certainly an expectation of the celebration of Jesus’s birth. But also the expectation of Christ’s return. This is the season in which we contemplate our readiness to receive the Lord or the lack thereof.

Luke is the most joyful of all the Gospels. At least he uses the word more than any of the others. But his joy, the joy of the Lord, the joy of Mary, is not precisely what is often packaged to us this time of year. It is a joy that does not escape reality but embraces it. A joy that asks questions. A joy that names injustice. A joy that calls attention to the outsider. A joy that understands the price of pain and says yes anyway.

A joy that can sit amid three weeks of solemnity. This is the joy of Advent.

(from Bible.com Great Expectations Devotional)

Passages we’ll review:
Luke 1: 26-28; Luke 2:1-35; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 126

OPENING
What stood out to you from the message this week? What led you to really think? Did anything challenge you? Have you ever had to share something that you really loved, something that had immense value to you?

Looking back over your life, what have been the most joy-filled times?

READ

Most of us tend to equate joy with good circumstances. Perhaps some of our most joy-filled times include the day we got married, had our children, graduated from college, or landed our first job. But do you think it’s possible to have joy in the midst of pain?

Read Hebrews 12:1-2

According to verse 2, why did Jesus endure the cross?

It can be tempting to base our joy on our circumstances, but the apostle Paul wrote from a prison cell, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Always. That means when things are going better than planned or worse than imagined, we’re to have joy in the Lord. How? In the wise words of Elisabeth Elliot, “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”

Read Psalm 126

When God brought His people out of captivity and restored their fortunes, they were so happy they felt like they were living in a dream! What did their joy propel them to do?

Think about your salvation story. How has God continued to change you and do a work in your life since that day?

In the upside-down way of the kingdom, joy is a result of our suffering and our service. Can you describe a time when your suffering or service brought you joy?

LET’S PRAY

C.S.Lewis realized, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” As Christ followers, let’s disrobe ourselves of our self-centered rights, clothing ourselves instead “with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5).

Consider the following as you pray together:
1. Ask God to renew your understanding of what joy is. Pray for Him to open your eyes to see HIs gift of joy even in suffering and service.

In what ways is God working in and through you right now during this season that you can share with others?

How can you serve others this Advent season and share the love of Christ by extending yourself with simple gestures? Make a list of specific ideas.

(Taken from Advent: The Weary World Rejoices by Lifeway Women)