Worship: Listen to a Worship song (If you need suggestions you can use one from the YouTube Playlist for this week) or express something that you are thankful to God for.

Welcome:

1. Check In – Did anything happen in your life in response to last weeks challenge?
2. If you were having a joyful day, how would people know it? What would be the outward sign that would give it away?
3. Tell about your last joy moment? What brought you joy and caused you to really celebrate life?
4. What are some ways that we squelch a life of celebration and joy?
5. Who is one person in your life who models this kind of joy?

Word

1. Read: Nehemiah 8:9-12
2. God is a God of celebration.  In our passage of scripture Nehemiah is told to plan a party to celebrate the rediscovery of the Word of God.  In this instance grief and sadness were to be set aside for a time of joy. How does this make you feel?
3. How does living in the joy of the Lord give you strength?
4. Describe a time when circumstances brought you unexpected joy?
5. What is one place in God’s creation that gives you a profound sense that God is a joyful God?
6. What things rob you of your joy? What happens to us when we are joy deprived?
7. What are some practical things we can do to seek joy on a more regular basis?

Prayer:

1. Take time to pray for those group members that the joy of the Lord would be their strength.
2. Pray against the joy robbers in people’s lives.
3. Pray for any other concerns that your group has.

Witness

How can we bring the message of Jesus to people during this time?