Week 39 Step into Joy
“Christian joy is letting Christ live his life out through you so that what He is, you become.”
David Jeremiah
Passage
28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.
31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.
32He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
33The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.
Proverbs 15:28–33 (NASB95)
Background
Quote- Dr. David Jeremiah is an American conservative evangelical Christian author, founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, a Southern Baptist megachurch in El Cajon, California, a suburb of San Diego. The ministry engages in several live events regularly, including a study tour through Israel, conference cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean, rally tours hosted in major arenas nationwide, live studio tapings of the newest teaching series, and televised Broadway shows in New York for Christmas.
Passage- The genre of Proverbs is mainly “Proverbs” as the name describes, there are also some Parables and Poetry. This book was written mainly by Solomon, the wisest king ever to rule. It was written during Solomon’s reign 970-930 B.C. He asked God for wisdom to rule God’s nation and He granted the request.
The main purpose of this book is to teach wisdom to God’s people. These are things which are typically true however, not always. They deal with life, principles, good judgment, and perception. They often draw distinctions between a wise man and a foolish man with parable type examples.
Lesson Notes
Opening Statement
Step into joy as you would step into the light, the light of Jesus and God’s ways rather than Man’s ways. Choose to be in the light of Christ rather than the ways of the world and the shackles of the flesh fall away.
Ask: Can we decide to be happy and joyful?
Point: That’s an easy decision after the storm when the sun is out but what about in the middle of adversity? Please read the following:
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4–7 (NASB95)
Ask: Okay, so how do we do that?
Point: Let’s start with the idea that we stand in the light of Jesus then follow the wisdom of Proverbs. Please read the following:
28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Proverbs 15:28 (NASB95)
Ask: What does that mean?
Point: People who wish to be wise and joyful consider their words while the unwise blurt out their thoughts without considering what they are about to say.
Ask: Why should we refrain from speaking or hold back until we’ve had time to think about it?
Point: Because God likes it when we think before we speak and listens to those who do. Please read the following:
29The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29 (NASB95)
Ask: How does knowing God is listening help us become joyful just by wanting to be happy?
Point: Because we know that God is listening that should bring a smile to our face and a smiling face is perceived by others more favorably. Please read the following:
30Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.
Proverbs 15:30 (NASB95)
Ask: That’s Proverbs from Solomon. Does Jesus’ words back that up?
Point: Yes. Please read the following:
16“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
17“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face
18so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:16–18 (NASB95)
Ask: God’s Word and Jesus’s quotes are great but how do we do this here on earth?
Point: By seeking out trusted Christian brothers and sisters for guidance and support or being that trusted ear that listens. Please read the following:
31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.
Proverbs 15:31 (NASB95)
Ask: If God listens to us because we are staying quiet and seeking counsel what happens if His answer isn’t what I wanted or expected?
Point: We have to be willing to accept whatever answer God sends even if it is to direct us to change course from our planned path. Please read the following:
32He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
Proverbs 15:32 (NASB95)
Ask: How can I be sure that it’s God who is directing me to change when the answer isn’t what I was expecting?
Point: Because God only corrects the children he loves because His correction brings wisdom. Please read the following:
11My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof,
12For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.
Proverbs 3:11–13 (NASB95)
Ask: Change is hard so how do I make accepting God’s call to change easier?
Point: By realizing we don’t have all the answers but since God knows more than we do, His directions have to be right. Please read the following:
33The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.
Proverbs 15:33 (NASB95)
Closing Statement
It’s not about me or what I want. It’s about God and what He wants for His children. We are “His children” too. When we can learn to accept our subservient roll on His path, the walking of that path becomes easier. It might not be easier in the physical sense as the hardships might still be there. However, that is in the flesh, the worldly part. When we shift our gaze from down at our own feet and look up at His face shining down on us then we step into His joy because we see the world through His eyes instead of our own. Taking the time to consider replacing our words with His words when we think about speaking is the first step to choosing to be happy.
Questions for the Week
Question 1 Are you happy right now?
Question 2 Take a few moments to sit quietly and contemplate your answer.
Question 3 Whether you answered Question 1 with “yes” or “no” make a list of the reasons why you answered as you did.
Question 4 With the list in hand, pray asking the Holy Spirit to help with the Nos and thank Him for the Yeses.
Question 5 If the list of Nos or the thought of making such a list overwhelms you, consider seeking out a trusted Christian brother or sister, or a church staff member and communicate everything from this lesson to them.
Question 6 If you do not have a current church home, consider researching the churches in your local area and make plans to attend one at their next service.
Definitions
happy
hap-ee
adjective,hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est.
delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing: I'm so happy to see you!
characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy: a happy mood; a happy frame of mind.
willing to be helpful, as with assistance, a contribution, or participation: We’ll be happy to bring a couple of salads to the party.
favored by fortune; fortunate or lucky: Our home country is a happy, fruitful land.
(used as part of an expression of good wishes on a special occasion):Happy Valentine’s Day to my husband. Happy Birthday, Grandpa!
apt or felicitous, as actions, utterances, or ideas: Their collaboration was a happy accident.
obsessed by or quick to use the item indicated (usually used in combination): He was a trigger-happy gangster. Everybody is gadget-happy these days.
joy
joi
noun
the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son's success.
a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: Her prose style is a pure joy.
the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
a state of happiness or felicity.
verb (used without object)
to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.
verb (used with object)
Obsolete. to gladden.