Love as a Way of Life



Study Series: Worry Less Live MoreAuthor: Robert J. MorganLesson Title: “The Practice of Rejoicing” (pp. 67-77)October 6, 2019Session 06The main point of this lesson is: The practice of rejoicing helps to overcome worry.Focus on this goal: To help adults determine how they will make rejoicing in the Lord a staple in their lives.Key Bible Passage: Philippians 4:4 To the Leader: Whom do you know who struggles with anxiety and worry? Invite them to join you for this study of Worry Less, Live More.During the SessionStep 1. Generate Discussion & Set the StageAsk adults if they know what “coffee-mug verses” are. (Inspirational verses printed on mugs, wall-hangings, totes. etc.) Brainstorm some popular “coffee-mug verses.” Relate from the study introduction (p. 66) the most highlighted verses in the Bible. Consider reasons Philippians 4:6-7 is so popular. Explain this study examines eight practices highlighted in Philippians 4:4-9 that can empower believers to worry less and live more. Step 2. Day 1 – Don’t Worry, Be Happy?Ask: Why can’t we just decide to not worry and be happy? Assert this is a world where there are many things to be anxious about, and we’re not always going to be happy. Invite responses to Day One, activity 1 (p.?68). Analyze the difference between happiness and joy. Read the paragraph beginning with “Happiness is an emotion…” (p. 68). Invite the group to read Day One, activity 2 (p. 68) in unison. Explain that this session examines four dimensions of what it means to “rejoice in the Lord always.”Step 3. Day 2 – A Command We ObeyState: First we see that rejoicing is a command we obey. Discuss Day Two, activity 1 (p. 69). Explain Paul had left Corinth before his work was completed. He waited in Troas for Titus to bring him news of how the Corinthian church was doing. Paul was so concerned when Titus didn’t show, he couldn’t focus on ministry possibilities at Troas. We can know that Paul’s plan for overcoming anxiety works because he had learned and lived that plan. Emphasize from Day Two the eleven Old Testament verses that include this phrase (pp. 70-71). Invite responses to Day Two, activity 2 (p. 71). Ask: What character qualities of God enable us to rejoice even when life is going wrong? What is absolutely necessary if we’re going to obey the command to rejoice in the Lord? Draw attention to the Day Two margin/pull quote (p. 71).Step 4. Day 3 – A Choice We MakeAsk: Would you tell your kids to do something that was impossible for them to do? Would God command us to rejoice always if it weren’t possible? What makes it possible for us to obey this command? State: The question isn’t, Can we rejoice? The question is, Will we? Rejoicing is a choice we make. Explore what the author means when he says, “I’m going to change my outlook to an uplook” (p. 72). Discuss Day Three, activity?1 (p. 72). Evaluate why the prepositional phrase “in the Lord” is so important if we’re going to choose to obey this command. Discuss: What are some things we may not (probably won’t) rejoice in? What can we rejoice in the Lord about? Draw attention to the list of things in which we can rejoice in Day Three (p. 73). Invite adults to add to this list more of God’s qualities, attributes, and blessings that compel them to rejoice in the Lord even when life isn’t very happy. Ask a volunteer to read the last paragraph of Day Three (p. 73). Discuss Day Three, activity 2 (p. 73).Step 5. Day 4 – A Condition We CultivateUse the author’s illustration of training a vine (p. 74) to explain how rejoicing in the Lord is a condition we cultivate. Elaborate on Paul’s circumstances when he wrote the letter to the Philippians. Ask: What might a letter written by most people in that situation sound like? Explain Philippians is called the “Epistle of Joy.” Paul wasn’t naturally joyful and anxiety free; this was a condition he learned to cultivate. Discuss Day Four, activity 1 (p. 74). Invite volunteers to share responses to Day?Four, activity 2 (p. 75).Step 6. Day 5 – A Climate We CreateAsk if adults have experienced the phenomenon that one person’s attitude influences the entire culture at work. Request a volunteer read the margin/pull quote in Day Five (p. 75). Ask: What are some other climates we can construct? What determines what kind of climate we create? Read the paragraph beginning with “I’d rather be upbeat…” (p. 76). Evaluate how Paul’s letter created a climate of joy in the Philippian church and beyond. Determine who all benefits when we choose to cultivate an attitude of rejoicing in the Lord. Read the last paragraph of Day Five (p. 77). Invite responses to Day Five, activity 2 (p. 77).Take it HomeState: Paul instructed in Philippians 4:9 to put all he’s teaching into practice. The term “practice” implies this doesn’t come naturally; we must work on rejoicing until it becomes a staple in our lives. One way we can practice rejoicing is to memorize these verses about rejoicing. These verses need to be written on our hearts more than they do a coffee mug. Invite adults to quote Philippians 4:4 aloud together. Encourage them to repeat it aloud several times a day this week. Close in prayer, thanking the Lord for giving believers the practice of rejoicing and asking Him to empower participants to make that practice a staple in their lives. ................
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