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SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE
Big Idea
“I wonder if the joy of the Lord is your strength today? I’d be curious to know if your delight is in your Lord, if you claim to be a disciple of Jesus? If your delight is in the One whose birth is good news and reason for you to be full of joy? I wonder if God’s Word, Scripture, gives you joy because it points you to Jesus?”
How much time have you spent in God’s Word this week? What has God been teaching you through his Word? Has it brought you joy?
Read: Nehemiah 8:1-12
Reflect on your own emotional responses to hearing or reading Scripture. How does Scripture sometimes lead you to confront difficult truths or areas in need of repentance, and how does this contribute to your overall joy in God?
In Nehemiah 8:10, Ezra exhorts the people not to mourn or weep but to rejoice because “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” How does this statement resonate with you personally, and how do you find strength in the joy of the Lord through Scripture?
Consider Nehemiah’s instruction to the people to celebrate and share with others after hearing God’s Word. How does the joy found in Scripture overflow into other aspects of our lives and relationships?
In what practical ways can we cultivate a deeper joy in God’s Word within our church and community, following the example set in Nehemiah 8:1-12?
Reflect on instances in your life where joy has been a result of engaging with Scripture. Share examples of how specific passages or teachings from the Bible have brought joy and strength to you personally.
Reflecting on the answers given for question 1, what are some ways you can encourage each other to continue reading and finding joy in God’s Word? Do you need accountability? Encouragement? What could that look like in your Life Group context?
NOTES
JUST FOR YOU
What has God shown you as you studied his word this week?
Why is there such value in reading and understanding the scriptures we looked at this week?
What points in the message encouraged you and gave you hope?
How will you personally apply what you learned from the sermon to your life?
DEEPER
Pray: That we would find joy that only comes from the Lord as we keep our eyes on him and his Word.
Read: Consider reading the book of Nehemiah for a fresh understanding of the context of the sermon.
Write: Write down your thoughts and insights from the sermon this week. Keeping a journal is just one more tool that you can use to track what God is showing you in your walk with him. Consider writing in questions for the podcast on the Gateway Church app.
Sing: Listen to the worship songs from Sunday throughout the week. Look up the lyrics to each song and spend some time reading them.
Memorize: A verse or passage from Scripture that brings you delight.
Love: Share God’s mercy with a family member, friend, or acquaintance this week.
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