2. ``

3. S ERIES B IG I DEA : Let’s reclaim Gospel- powered spiritual disciplines for the sake of godliness (i.e. good works to the glory of God and for the good of His people).

4. `` TODAY: Reclaiming Joy: The Art of Celebration

5. `` ARE YOU A JOYFUL PERSON?

6. `` What is joy?

7. `` Why talk about this?

8. `` Why talk about this? “It is an occupational hazard of devout folk to become stuffy bores. This should not be. Of all people we should be the most free, alive, interesting. … After all, Jesus rejoiced so fully in life that he was accused of being a wine-bibber and a glutton. Many of us lead such sour lives that we cannot possibly be accused of such things.” -- Richard Foster, “Celebration of the Disciplines”

9. `` Why talk about this? REFLECTION QUESTION # 1 Am I more of a joyful Christian, or a stuffy/sour one?

10. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY

11. 1.God is joyful. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY

12. 1.God is joyful. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY “Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! … The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” -- Zephaniah 3:14,17

13. 1.God is joyful. 2.God commands His followers to rejoice and celebrate. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY

14. 1.God is joyful. 2.God commands His followers to rejoice and celebrate. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” -- Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” -- Philippians 4:4

15. 1.God is joyful. 2.God commands His followers to rejoice and celebrate. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY REFLECTION QUESTION # 2 How well am I reflecting the joy of the Lord to others?

16. 1.God is joyful. 2.God commands His followers to rejoice and celebrate. 3.Joy and pain are connected. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY

17. 1.God is joyful. 2.God commands His followers to joy and celebration. 3.Joy and pain are connected. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY REFLECTION QUESTION # 3 When’s the last time I consciously chose to rejoice in the Lord?

18. 1.God is joyful. 2.God commands His followers to rejoice and celebrate. 3.Joy and pain are connected. 4.Our joy in the Lord is our strength. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY

19. 1.God is joyful. 2.God commands His followers to rejoice and celebrate. 3.Joy and pain are connected. 4.Our joy in the Lord is our strength. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY “Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the L ORD is your strength.” -- Nehemiah 8:10 “Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the L ORD is your strength.” -- Nehemiah 8:10

20. 1.God is joyful. 2.God commands His followers to rejoice and celebrate. 3.Joy and pain are connected. 4.Our joy in the Lord is our strength. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY

21. 1.God is joyful. 2.God commands His followers to joy and celebration. 3.Joy and pain are connected. 4.Our joy in the Lord is our strength. W HAT T HE B IBLE S AYS A BOUT J OY REFLECTION QUESTION # 4 When’s the last time I was aware of deep joy keeping me afloat in the midst of suffering?

22. Joy and Celebration are at the heart of God, and, as God- indwelt people, He calls us to discipline ourselves to rejoice and celebrate in Him in the midst of our daily lives. B IG I DEA FOR T ODAY ’ S T EACHING

23. 1.Focus on what is good. H OW T O D ISCIPLINE T OWARD J OY

24. 1.Focus on what is good. H OW T O D ISCIPLINE T OWARD J OY “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” -- Philippians 4:8 “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” -- Philippians 4:8

25. 1.Focus on what is good. 2.Engage with other spiritual disciplines. H OW T O D ISCIPLINE T OWARD J OY

26. 1.Focus on what is good. 2.Engage with other spiritual disciplines. 3.Engage in a lifestyle of self-giving love. H OW T O D ISCIPLINE T OWARD J OY

27. 1.Focus on what is good. 2.Engage with other spiritual disciplines. 3.Engage in a lifestyle of self-giving love. 4.Sing, dance, and laugh. H OW T O D ISCIPLINE T OWARD J OY

28. 1.Focus on what is good. 2.Engage with other spiritual disciplines. 3.Engage in a lifestyle of self-giving love. 4.Sing, dance, and laugh. 5.Find a joy mentor. H OW T O D ISCIPLINE T OWARD J OY

29. 1.Focus on what is good. 2.Engage with other spiritual disciplines. 3.Engage in a lifestyle of self-giving love. 4.Sing, dance, and laugh. 5.Find a joy mentor. H OW T O D ISCIPLINE T OWARD J OY “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” -- Philippians 4:9 “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” -- Philippians 4:9

30. 1.Focus on what is good. 2.Engage with other spiritual disciplines. 3.Engage in a lifestyle of self-giving love. 4.Sing, dance, and laugh. 5.Find a joy mentor. 6.Celebrate good things with others. H OW T O D ISCIPLINE T OWARD J OY

31. 1.Focus on what is good. 2.Engage with other spiritual disciplines. 3.Engage in a lifestyle of self-giving love. 4.Sing, dance, and laugh. 5.Find a joy mentor. 6.Celebrate good things with others. H OW T O D ISCIPLINE T OWARD J OY REFLECTION QUESTION # 5 What’s one way of disciplining myself to rejoice and celebrate that I need to try this week?

32. 1.$10: “The Call to Joy & Pain” by Ajith Fernando 2.Library: “The Happy Christian” by David Murray 3.Library: “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voscamp 4.Online: “Fighting for Joy”: 2013 NH Teaching Series 5.Video: “The Art of Celebration” by Rend Collective F URTHER R EADING AND R ESOURCES

34. 1.Am I more of a joyful Christian, or a stuffy/sour one? 2.How well am I reflecting the Joy of the Lord to others? 3.When’s the last time you were aware of deep joy keeping you afloat in the midst of suffering? 4.When’s the last time you consciously chose to rejoice in the Lord? 5.What one way of disciplining yourself to rejoice and celebrate that you need to try this coming week?