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Happiness Define happiness Do you like that definition of happiness?When are you most happy?Are these things always ‘good’?Have you ever done something that made you happy but wasn’t a good thing to do? (e.g. jokes, buying things, wasting time)Why do bad things make us happy?When are you least happy? Why do those situations make you less happy? Are you happy at youth? Why?Are you happy at school? Why?Are you happy at home? Why?Are you happy with friends? Why? Does your happiness depend on your situation? Why?Do you believe this a good thing? Why? Do people pursue happiness when they aren’t happy? Why? Do you pursue happiness when you aren’t? Is pursuing happiness dangerous to your spiritual health? Why? If someone spends their time pursuing the experience of happiness, do you believe happiness is a ‘God’ that people (including you) pursue? Why? Why not?If yes, where does that leave God? If happiness is your ultimate goal in life, are you letting it come from God or the world? (Hebrews 13: 5 – 6)Is there a difference? If yes, what is it?Does God want for us, to be happy? If not, what is his desire?If yes, what does Jesus say about happiness? Contentment Define Contentment? Do you want to be that Content? (as answered in the above question)Where does true Contentment come from? (Holy spirit) What does that say about people who don’t believe in the Holy Spirit? Can they still become content? Does it make their contentment fake or false? Why? Can Contentment and happiness co-exist at the same time? How does that work?Is it possible to not be happy about something, but to be Content with it? (Philippians 4: 10 – 14)Are there any examples within your life?Are there any situations where you can’t be content?If yes, what’s more powerful? The situation or God. How do you become content? Is there a super-secret way, or is it simple (Colossians 3: 1 -2) BIBLE PASSAGESProverbs 13: 7 (the message)A pretentious showy life is an empty life; a plan and simple life is a full life.Pretentious; (Adjective)Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed. What’s this saying?Do you agree with it? Why/Why not?Can you see this relating to people today? How?How does this relate to pursuing happiness and contentment?How can you apply that to your life?1 Corinthians 3:3 (the message)As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything’s going your way? What’s this saying?Do you agree with it? Why/why not?Can you see this relating to you? How? How does this relate to pursing happiness and contentment? How can you apply that to your life?1 Timothy 6: 6 – 10But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s. What’s Paul talking about? Is this relatable to Australians? How? Is this relatable to you and your family? How? How does this verse compare to your life? With all your electronic gadgets, money, food, shelter, booksDo you believe the more you have the more you become content? Are you ok with that? This verse also talks about people leaving their faith while they pursue moneyHow does ‘money can buy you happiness’ fit in with the above statement?In your opinion do your parents pursue money? (to keep their lifestyle) How is their faith? What do they believe? Are you worried about wandering from your faith the more you search for money/happiness?What can you do to never wander from your faith? Philippians 4: 10 – 14 (the message) I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess – happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content what my circumstance. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me – it did. It was a beautiful thing that you can alongside me in my troubles. What’s this verse saying? Do you agree with it? Why/why not? Is contentment attainable? How? Is there something in your life (how you look, act) that you’re not happy with? Can you be content with it? How?What’s the difference between the two? Which one do you choose? Do you believe all your possessions are making you want more and less content?Is this something you want to change? How are you going to do it? And are you committed to that change? Why?Are you seeking praise or approval from friends or family? How often do you need their praise or approval? Why is it you need that praise or approval so often? Do you believe that you are letting those people change who you are? Is this good? What does Jesus say about that?Pauls talking about being content ‘in the One who makes me who I am’. Who’s ‘the One’?Who’s your ‘One’?Are you letting them/it shape who you are? Are you happy with that? Do you want to change that? If so, how are you going to change that? Hebrews 13: 5 – 6 (the message) Don’t be obsessed with getting more things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,God is there, ready to help;I’m fearless no matter what, Who or what can get to me? What’s this talking about? Can you relate to it? Have you ever been anxious?What was it about? (Facebook likes, undecided about buying something, being alone, etc.) How can this verse calm your anxiousness and allow Christ to strengthen you? Do you believe God is bigger, better (for you), stronger, more affirming and more loving than everything (or anyone) else around you? If not, why not? And do you want to change that?If yes, how are you going to work that into your whole life?How to live a Content filled life: Colossians 3: 1 – 17Is amazing and helps bring lights onto living a content filled life. Colossians 3: 1 -2 (the message) So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things through his perspective. Why would Paul write this? (that reason above) do you believe that this is talking about you? Why should we have a Christ like perspective?What do you think Christ’s perspective looks like?How do you get a perspective of Christ?How do you ‘pursue the things over which Christ presides’?How do you know the things in which Christ presides? ................
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