Life Group Announcements:
1. Continue to pray for Pastor Joe Houser as he takes extended time off to focus on his health, family, and relationship with God.
2. Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) Fall Festival: Free community event on PLNU campus, October 20th. Our church will have a booth and will need volunteers between 10 AM-2:30 PM. Husbands: Consider dropping your wives off at the Women’s Tea event and then take the kids to the PLNU Fall Festival to burn energy!
3. On October 20th, from 12-2 PM, Valerie, Laura, and Lu will be hosting a women’s fellowship event called, Women’s Tea. Sign up at the church Café starting September 23rd and the cost is $3.00. No child care provided and only children that do not crawl are allowed.
Life Group Questions:
Speaker: Pastor Julian Malotti
Sermon Series: Joy!
Title: Joy: A By-Product of Seeking God
1. Human beings want to experience peace, joy, and happiness at the end of the day. However, these true gifts are only found in the Person of Jesus Christ and what He offers (see Galatians 5:22-23). Biblically, joy is a by-product (a result) of seeking/having a relationship with God the Father through His Son Christ.
As you try to experience joy in your life, would you say that you are seeking only joy, rather than a healthy relationship with God through Christ which results in joy? Or, as you seek more of God, are you finding more joy? What is the danger of seeking joy for the experience only?
2. As we read about Paul writing this book from prison, it is proof that joy is never connected to a circumstance (like happiness). Rather, joy is connected to God who is solid and never changes.
As you look throughout your past circumstances, would you say that you had more joy or happiness to get through it? What about now? What would you have differently and what are you doing differently now?
3. God never promised in the Bible that as Christians we would have no problems, in fact, it is the opposite (see John 16:33). Paul did not beg God to be removed from prison, rather, he praised God and thanked Him for the church in Philippi.
How can we learn from Paul’s example? Is it easy/tempting to blame God as if He tricked us into thinking we would have a smooth life here on earth? Where does this “always easy” thinking come from if it’s not in the Bible?
4. Paul talked about how the church in Philippi was being genuine both in his presence and absence. In other words, they were not acting (being hypocrites) like Christians only to impress him.
Is it easy to forget sometimes that God is always watching? Do you struggle with acting sometimes, rather than being consistent around others? What does it look like to act one way at work, home, church, etc.? Why is this unhealthy and toxic?
5. Lastly, we were are reminded by God to “taste and see that He is good” (Psalm 34:8). This is a strategy created by God so that we can step out in faith and experience His goodness, have our faith built, and then be stronger for the next circumstance.
What does it look like to “taste and see that God is good”? When life is good? When life is hard?
Bible Verses Read Sunday:
• Philippians 2:12-16
• Galatians 5:22-23
• James 2:17
• James 2:22
