Joy is not something we humans come by easily…
It’ sad, but very true fact.
But such a thing should NEVER be said of a believer in Jesus Christ. Not only do we have have an infinite number of reasons to be joyful, joy is a natural (supernatural) by-product of the Spirit of God who lives in us (Galatians 5:22).
For this week’s “Monday mindset” I want to ask you very simply… How can you help your children and spouse focus on the joy of the LORD this week?
Instead of my typical rambling about the topic, I’m giving you an assignment. Take some of the “discussion starters” below as fuel for your creative fire and create opportunities to interact with your family about the place of joy in the Christian life.
Here’s my list of discussion starters to help you uncover reasons for joy:
Use any or all of these questions to start a conversation surrounding the subject of joy. Feel free to come back here and share what comes of your conversation (in the comments below).
- How great is God’s love for you? Try to describe it for me…
- Let’s try to list every blessing God has given us…
- What are the things God has forgiven you of for which you are most thanful?
- What do you think would have happened to you if Jesus hadn’t saved you?
- What are the greatest things Jesus has done in your life?
- What things in the created world do you enjoy the most? How do you think God feels, knowing that you enjoy His creation so much?
- What’s the greatest prayer the LORD has ever answered for you?
- Describe the hope that Jesus gives to you.
- How does it feel to know that God’s wrath is forever turned away from you because of Jesus?
- How does it feel to know that you’ll one day stand in heaven, in the presence of God, totally accepted, forever?
To go on top of that, here’s a list of scriptures to read and discuss together…
Take time each morning before everyone jets out to work or school or summer activities to read and discuss one of these passages. Again, I’d love to hear about the conversations that you have (in the comments below).
- Psalm 30:5
- Psalm 4:7
- James 1:2
- Galatians 5:22
- Romans 15:13
- John 16:24
- Proverbs 17:22
- Colossians 1:11
- Psalm 16:11
Now that you have these joy-thoughts banging around in your head, what will you do with them?
Below is a testimony from former agnostic Dr Carolyn Weber. She was a feminist and literary studies major at Oxford University when she came upon a group of Christians who she describes this way: “They were warm, and they invited me in, and it was entirely different from what I anticipated and it knocked me off balance, but also the speaker talked about joy being the Christian’s… secret weapon.” Her eventual conversion to Christianity is detailed in the new book ‘Surprised by Oxford.’
This is just one of the many testimonies of what true Christian joy can do in the world… in the lives of real people. Enjoy! 🙂
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