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To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to all who will come, this church opens wide her doors and offers welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Discussion QuestionS
Advent JOY Sermon
December 14th

Ice Breaker: What is a small, ordinary thing that reliably brings you joy?

1. Where does joy feel hardest for you right now—and why?
Home? Work? School? A relationship? Your own thought life?
• What tends to drain joy most in that area (worry, hurry, comparison, resentment, exhaustion)?
• How does that show up in your words, tone, or reactions?
“You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” — John 16:20
“Why are you cast down, O my soul?” — Psalm 42:5

2. How do you personally tend to confuse joy with happiness?
• What circumstances make it easiest for you to feel “joyful”?
• What circumstances tend to make joy disappear?
• How does the birth of Jesus into weakness and obscurity challenge that way of thinking?
“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” — Philippians 4:11
“For unto you is born… a Savior.” — Luke 2:11

3. What most often pulls your attention away from Christ during the week?
(Think: screens, schedules, stress, comparison, news, performance, fear.)
• How does that shift your emotional or spiritual posture?
• What would it look like to intentionally redirect your attention toward Christ in that moment?
“Set your minds on things that are above.” — Colossians 3:2
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus.” — Hebrews 12:2

4. Which “joy killer” named in the sermon do you recognize most in your life right now?
(Hurry, comparison, numbing, unresolved conflict, habitual sin, anxiety.)
• How does it quietly deflate your joy?
• What is one concrete change you could make this week to push back against it?
“Let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.” — Hebrews 12:1
“The cares of the world… choke the word.” — Mark 4:19

5. How might choosing worship over worry look in your everyday life?
• At home with kids or a spouse?
• At work or school under pressure?
• When facing uncertainty or disappointment?
“Do not be anxious about anything… with thanksgiving.” — Philippians 4:6–7
“Bless the Lord, O my soul.” — Psalm 103:1

6. Where do you see small, often-missed gifts of God in your ordinary life?
• What simple joys has God been giving you that you tend to overlook?
• How might naming those gifts reshape your attitude this week?
“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17
“In your presence there is fullness of joy.” — Psalm 16:11

7. What is the “next faithful step” God may be inviting you to take right now?
(Not the whole plan—just the next step.)
• Is it repentance?
• Rest?
• Reconciliation?
• Gratitude?
• Obedience in something small but difficult?
“Trust in the Lord and do good.” — Psalm 37:3
“Rejoice in the Lord always.” — Philippians 4:4

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