Read Nehemiah 8:9-12. Church attendance has been in a definite decline over the past several decades but new movements of reform and dedication will never happen until people rediscover the Word of God. The Jews in Nehemiah’s day rediscovered the word of God with great joy and celebration as they began to understand and once again pursue God who loved them and brought them together for great purpose.
- Have you ever rediscovered something of great value or meaning? What was it?
- Have you ever had a rediscovery experience of the Word? Explain.
Read Hebrews 4:12. The first thing the Word of God does in your life is to convict you of sin and wrong thoughts & attitudes. However, Scripture should be viewed more in terms of a scalpel that heals instead of a sword that kills. The Word should be used as a healing instrument that digs deep into your life to help youbecome more Christ like in your walk and witness, and never as a bludgeoning tool to destroy others.
- Describe a way that the Word really convicted yet transformed your life or attitude?
Read Luke 15:17-24 and John 3:17. The Word convicts you not for condemnation but for celebration. The story of the prodigal son shows the true nature of God in relation to God’s creation. God desires to cover you in righteousness, faithfulness and love as God’s child, not to punish you in slavery and death. God is a God of the party and you are invited.
- Do you feel that reading Scripture most often imparts judgment or healing to your personal life? Why?
- How do you normally view Scripture, through legalistic eyes: “God as judge” or relational eyes: “God as Father?” How does that affect your priority to readthe Word?
Read Hebrews 12:2. Not only does God invite you to be a part of the Celebration but God desires you to have joy. But finding joy is not the same as the pursuit of happiness which can be fleeting and shallow. Joy comes from understanding that everyday is sacred to the Lord and that you find joy in the daily pursuit of pleasing God and living in God’s purposes for your life. It is through the Word that you discover those purposes as the Living Word speaks to you on a daily basis.
- How do you define joy verses happiness?
- Have you ever experience joy even in the midst of trouble or hardship? Explain.
- What is one way you try to live to bring God joy on a daily basis?
Your calling doesn’t end with you finding joy in God and being a part of the great celebration of God.You are called to connect others to God’s party as well. In fact even greater joy is found in bringing others to the same joy and relationship you have in Christ. Take the party to everyone you know!
- Who first brought you to God’s party? Who have you brought and what kind of joy did that bring to your life?
- Name someone you want to connect to the life and party of God? How will you pursue that?
- What is one thing you will do to daily seek bringing God joy through your life?
