Andy Bruins preaching from Galatians on Sunday 17th January 2021.

The second part of the fruit of the Spirit is Joy.
Like “love”, which heads the list, this word is about much more than feelings. As you look at the way this fruit is put on display in God’s people in the New Testament is quickly become clear that Joy can exist at the same time as we go through suffering, sorrow and trials (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Peter 1:6-9).
So Joy is a constant in the life of a believer, irrespective of what is going on in our lives. Here’s a brief definition:

Joy is a deep down liberating sense of wellbeing that lives and grows in the heart of a person who knows that they are in a good relationship with God.

Q Is “Joy” a word people tend to use in everyday life? How do people use it?

Q Read James 1:2-4. How does this use of the word clash with the way it is usually understood? Why does James associate a strong sense of Joy with the trials of life?

Q What’s the difference between Joy and Happiness?

Q Look at some of these verses. What do they say about the source of Joy, and how it grows?

John 15:9-11
Romans 15:13
2 Corinthians 8:2
1 Thessalonians 1:6

Q What kinds of things will rob us of Joy?

Q How do we grow this part of “the fruit”? What practical action will you take?