Oct 17-23, 2021

by Pastor Sarah Henry

Day 1: An Introduction to the Apologetics of Joy

Apologetics is often defined as the intellectual defense of truth.[1] So, what does truth have to do with joy? Is joy something that has to be proved? Or is it something that simply has to be defined? And how does understanding Christian joy impact our witness as disciples of Jesus?

In our youth ministry here at First Covenant Church, we have eight values. Being “unshakably joyful” is one of them. In dissecting what this means for us, we describe joy as reaching deeper than ‘fun’ and lasting longer than a feeling.

1 Pet. 1:8-9 is what gave birth to our ministry value:

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Reflection

1. What role could joy play in evangelism and pointing people to Jesus?

2. In your own words, how is the believer filled with “inexpressible and glorious joy” even if God is unseen, according to 1 Pet. 1:8-9?

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[1] Geisler defines “apologetics” as “the discipline that deals with a rational defense of Christian faith. It comes from the Greek word apologia which means to give a reason or defense.” Norman L. Geisler, “Apologetics, Need For,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 37.

Day 2: Freedom Brings Joy

Amartya Sen, a Nobel Prize winner, conducted a study that determined freedom brings more happiness than money. This claim may seem obvious, yet the world struggles to live into this truth. However, God, the founder of all that is good and right, has been sharing this reality from the beginning!

From Genesis to Revelation, you witness a God who miraculously liberates people time and time again. And this culminates with the ultimate liberation from sin and death when Jesus sacrifices his life for us. Our joy is rich with the freedom of our lives AND our souls.

While earthly happiness is dependent on our physical realities, Christian joy is dependent on the freedom we were granted by Jesus when he conquered death!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!” (Jn. 8:36)

Reflection

1. In your perspective, why does freedom bring a person more happiness than money?

2. Why does freedom bring joy in the first place?

3. How has freedom from sin and death brought you personal joy?

Day 4: Community Impacts Joy

In Framingham, Massachusetts, 4,700 residents participated in a study to determine if community impacts happiness. They discovered that those who reported themselves as happy had been in community clusters with others who had reported the same. In essence, they found that people are 15.3% more likely to be happy if someone close to them is!

God revealed this truth when God determined that it is not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18)! Community is an essential feature of our faith. In Romans 12:15, it says,

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

God has created us for community! Sharing each other’s burdens and joys establishes a foundation of trust that helps us persevere even in the most difficult of circumstances. What makes the Christian community so unique is that it is based on the sacrificial love of Christ. We do not turn from one another when life is hard but rather step into the gaps, seeking reconciliation in humility. 1 Corinthians 12:27 reminds us that we are united as ONE body. We need each other to function properly.

The world is looking for this type of deep community. Our souls yearn to be united with God and with one another. This is what God has created us to do! And when that happens, when true community centers around Christ, joy abounds!

Reflection

1. How has the Christian community brought you joy this year?

2. What tangible steps can you take to cultivate joyful communion with the people around you?

Day 5: Bad Days Impact Joy in Unexpected Ways

A psychology team from Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering found that subjects who experience a combination of happiness and sadness at the same time were more likely to improve their sense of mental health. In other words, the ability to acknowledge the difficult feelings, along with the positive, improved happiness!

This is a bizarre finding that has many groundings in Scripture. Perhaps the most puzzling aspect of joy is how we could have it while suffering (Rom. 5:3-5). Joy is not simply happiness. Happiness is a response to circumstance. Joy is a deep stability founded on hope. When we encounter suffering, our hope remains. Acknowledging the trouble of this world deepens our hope for what is to come! I love Romans 12:12,

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Isn’t it amazing that we serve a God who understands the pain of this world? The God of the universe experienced even the darkness of death so that we may have hope. The hope of resurrections remains no matter what may come our way. Our joy is the outpouring of our hope! Remember, “weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning!” (Psalm 30:5)

Reflection

1. In the past six weeks, how has your understanding of happiness versus joy evolved?

2. Tell someone about a time you experienced joy amid pain, suffering, or hardship? How did that joy carry you through the suffering?

3. If our joy is founded on our hopes, to what do you hope for most of all? How does that hope keep your joy steady?

Day 7: TBD