Kathy recently hosted a Bible study based on Little Book of Joy and the theme of joy for her community group, and was greatly encouraged by the discussion and reflection.

“I think the little books are wonderful. I picked some copies of LittleBook of Joy up when we had a Christian Art exhibition at church and gave themaway," she shared.

“The study went really well with loads of profound discussion. Members of the group read the Bible verses or pages at various stages of the study. Afterwards, I encouraged everyone to look through the Little Book of Joy, to keep it and use it to remind you what the Bible says about how God is you source of joy.”

Perhaps you could use the following questions and reflections as the basis for a small group gathering, Bible study, or time of personal reflection, or use what Kathy has done as inspiration to create something similar yourself(or alongside someone from your church if you're not sure where to start).

In John 16 Jesus is trying to prepare His disciples for what is coming. In v 22 He says “Now is your time of grief but I will see you again, and you will rejoice and no-one will take away your joy.”

The writer of Hebrews tells us that “for the joy that was set before him Jesus endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2). What joy was Jesus looking towards as the hour of his death approached? The joy of returning to his Father, and the joy of including everyone who chooses to follow him, including us, in the overflowing love of Father and Son.

How might you differentiate between joy, happiness, contentment andinspiration?

• Happiness: circumstantial positive mood and behaviour that reflects this
• Contentment: feeling peace and acceptance
• Inspiration: a power and motivation for goodness
• Christian joy: the deep, profound inner state of gladness and delight that comes from God despite external circumstances.

So what does it mean to rejoice?

To rejoice is the active expression or celebration of that feeling. Joy is the root, to rejoice is the fruit.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
_{Galatians 5:22}

Joy is part of the fruit God’s Spirit produces. Fruit grows, it seeds and spreads, it can be shared, it refreshes and feeds us.

How do we hold on to joy?

In many ways joy is a discipline, an attitude or a habit. It’s like a fire so it needs to be fed - it won’t run on nothing. Joy is fed by keeping company with Jesus, and if we spend time with Him we become more like him.

We can spend time with Jesus in prayer, in sharing about him with others, in reading his word, the Bible, in adoration and worship. Deep and rich fellowship with other Christians also feeds our joy, we can support and inspire each other, which helps us persevere.

God has given us many places in which we can find joy:

• ‍Name some of your favourite things about nature
• How can other people bring us joy?
• Name some creative or active things that give you joy

Creation is lavish, extravagant and awe-inspiring – overflowing and bursting with joy in the creator.

Reflect on the following Bible verses (you could even read some in the wider context of the chapter or book they're in). What do they say about joy?

"The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing."
_{Psalm 65:12-13}

"Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."
_{Isaiah 49:13}

"Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."
_{Jeremiah 31:12-13}

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
_{Nehemiah 8:10}

"Sing to him anew song; play skilfully, and shout for joy."
_{Psalm 33:3}

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
_{Philippians 4:4}

Notice that in Philippians 4:4 the readers are commanded to rejoice. Does that surprise you?

Joy runs like an underground stream, sustaining us through life’s journey – even in difficult, unjust and cruel circumstances.

"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
_{Psalm 30:5}

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour."
_{Habakkuk 3:17-18}

Joy needs to be cultivated - we diminish our chances of being joyful if we allow the pressures of life to overwhelmed and smother our joy.

Joy can be found randomly, deliberately, surprisingly. In work and play; alone and in community, with family and companions, in prayer, in nature and in love.

And yet there is much that seeks to steal our joy away – illness, mental health struggles, stigma, shame, heartache and more.

What roadblocks to joy do you experience?

How do we avoid these pressures robbing us of joy?

What have been the times when you have experienced the most joy in your life?

Does joy characterize your life right now? Where is that joy coming from?

Maybe you don’t feel characterised by joy, or you don’t feel any joy at all. You might be facing difficult circumstances or very real struggles.

Sometimes joy feels absent in our mind, body, and spirit – but even in the depths it can be restored.

As Kathy shared: "There are times when I don’t necessarily feel joy too. But even when I’m not feeling happy, I know there is still a deep joy and hope within me."

If you’ve felt joy before, remember that joy, and ask God to help you experience and know the reality of the joy that can be found in him.

There are many people in the pages of the Bible who do just that:

"These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng."
Psalm 42:4

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
Psalm 51:12

Let's finish with the prayer that Kathy used to finished her community group's time together:

God our Heavenly Father,

Joy streams from you like light, and Joy is the energy and radiance of Jesus. Thankyou Holy Spirit for your enabling flame of inspiration. Please help us to guard this holy fire and stir up your gifts within us. Help us to walk in your will, in your perfect plan for us, that our lives may overflow with joy, healing and lifting every life that touches ours.

For we ask it in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.