4:32
Chara / Joy
Explore the unique type of joy to which God’s people are called. It’s more than happy mood. It's a choice to trust that God will fulfill his promises, and it's a joy that is long-lasting and life-giving. Learn more in this video from our Advent series.
Reflect
The Israelites choose a path apart from God. As a result, they get exiled from their land and dominated by foreign nations. But the prophet Isaiah knew that sorrow would not have the final word with these people. He looked forward to the day when Yahweh would end pain and corruption to lead them into endless, joyful living. Read Isaiah 49:13 and Isaiah 51:11. What does Isaiah tell us about God’s character in these passages? What does Isaiah say will happen to God’s people?
The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the coming of Israel’s redeemer. His prophecies were fulfilled with the arrival of Jesus. Read Luke 2:9-11. Why were the shepherds afraid? What reasons did the angels give for them to rejoice instead?
Joy can persist in the harshest of circumstances because it depends on God and his promises. Read Matthew 5:11-12, Acts 13:50-52, and Hebrews 12:1-3. According to these passages, what specific truths about God can sustain joy even through painful or dire situations?
When we see how Jesus’ loving way of life has overcome death itself, joy starts to become strangely reasonable. But this doesn’t mean it is wise to ignore or suppress sorrow. Read 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. How did Paul integrate both joy and sorrow?
Take time to discuss any other themes, questions, or key takeaways from what you learned together.
Learn More
Why Is Joy a Featured Theme During Advent?
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Next Episode
4:49
Episode 4
Agape / Love
The word “love” is one of the sloppiest words in our language, as it primarily refers to a feeling that happens to a person. But in the New Testament, “love,” or “agape,” refers to a way of treating people that was defined by Jesus himself. It means to seek the well-being of others regardless of their response.
Advent
4:34
Episode 1
Yakhal / Hope
Biblical hope is not optimism. In fact, the most hopeful people in the Bible often had very few reasons to believe that things would get better for them any time soon. But biblical hope is based not in circumstances but in the unchanging character of God. Learn more in this video from our Advent series.
3:49
Episode 2
Shalom / Peace
Peace is a very common word in English, and it means different things to different people. It's also a very important word in the Bible that refers not only to the absence of conflict but also to the presence of something else. In this video, we'll explore the core meaning of biblical peace, or shalom, and see how it all leads to Jesus.
4:32
Episode 3
Chara / Joy
Explore the unique type of joy to which God’s people are called. It’s more than happy mood. It's a choice to trust that God will fulfill his promises, and it's a joy that is long-lasting and life-giving. Learn more in this video from our Advent series.
4:49
Episode 4
Agape / Love
The word “love” is one of the sloppiest words in our language, as it primarily refers to a feeling that happens to a person. But in the New Testament, “love,” or “agape,” refers to a way of treating people that was defined by Jesus himself. It means to seek the well-being of others regardless of their response.