Joyful Verses - Finding Joy #4

Sorry our topics recently have been a little heavy. Next week we will return to the usual genre of activities, games, and stories to teach your family - specifically about joyfulness.  However, to finish this week's focus, since we now agree that the Bible is reliable we should consult it on ways to find and teach joyfulness.

Now, I am giving you homework for the weekend. Pick a few of these passages to read with your family.

Key Verses On Joyfulness:
1. Psalm 16: 11 - "Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; in thy right hand there are pleasures forever."

2. Psalm 28:7 - "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and in my song I shall thank Him."

3. Psalm 30:5b - "Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning."

4. Psalm 51:12 - "Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will be converted to thee."

5. Prov. 15:13 - "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face..."

6. Matt. 28: 7&8 - "'And go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead...' and they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to report it to his disciples."

7. John 15:7-13 "...These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you...Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends..."

8. I Thess. 5: 16-18 "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

9. I Peter 1:3-9

10. III John 4 - "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."

What are the Rewards of Joy?
1. Strength - Neh. 8:10

2. Cheerful Countenance - Prov. 15:13

3. Health - Prov. 17:22a - "A joyful heart is good medicine..."

What Produces Joy?
1. True Faith - I Peter 1:8

2. Christ's Resurrection - Matt. 28:7&8

3. Salvation - Ps. 51:12, Isaiah 61:10

4. Being in the Presence of God - Psalm 16:11

5. The Holy Spirit in us - Gal. 5:22

6. Sharing Christ with others - I John 1:4

7. A clear conscience - II Cor. 1:12

8. Obeying God's laws - Ps. 19:8

9. God's word - John 15: 7-11, Jer. 15:16

10. Wise words - Prov. 15:23

11. Seeing our children walk in the truth - III John 4, Prov. 23:24

12. Being a faithful servant - Matt. 25:21

13. Controlling your thoughts - Phil. 4:8

14. Encouragement from the saints - Phil. 1:7

How do we Practice Joy?
1. Rejoicing when we go through trials - Matt. 5: 11-12, James 1:2-3

2. Rejoicing always, giving thanks in everything - I Thess. 5:16-18

3. Delighting in your weaknesses, because when you are weak, Christ's grace is strong -II Cor.12:9&10

4. Singing thanksgivings, and playing music, and dancing - Ephesians 5:18-20, I Sam. 18:6

5. Giving - II Cor. 8:2

6. Fellowship - Phil. 1:25; Philemon 1:7

7. Sharing God with others - I John 1:4

8. Smiling - Prov. 15:13

9. Trusting in the Lord - Ps. 28:7

10. Enjoy your work and your blessings - Ecc. 5:18 - 20

Joyful Biblical Character Examples:
1. Jesus - Gospels, Isaiah 53, and Phil. 2

2. Paul -Romans 5:3-11, 8:18; II Cor. 4:7-18; 11:23-29; Phil. 4:4-8; and Col. 1:24

3. Tabitha - Acts 9:36 - 39

I would love to hear about other ways that you experience joyfulness with your family.
Have a great weekend!