Fruit of the Spirit: Part 2 - 'Unspeakable Joy'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
The talk will be available via live stream at 9.30am on Sunday 12th February, on our YouTube channel.
 
Once you have listened, here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Galatians chapter 5 verses 22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.


John chapter 15, verses 9 - 12

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.


James chapter 1, verses 2 - 4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


Psalm 30, verse 5

For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favour lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.



Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God

Thank you that you love us, and that you abide with us in our seasons of suffering and our seasons of joy. Thank you that you love us too much to leave us in weakness and immaturity. Thank you that you walk with us, and sometimes carry us, through the hard seasons, and that you long for us to grow and to know ourselves and you ever more deeply, that we may know your joy, and joy to the full.

In Jesus’ name. Amen



Questions to Consider:

1. Have you thought about the idea that love is the first fruit, and that the other eight fruit listed in the reading from Galatians might be different expressions, or aspects of love? What do you make of that?
2. Think of a time when you felt happy. What was going on?
3. Think of a time when you felt a deep sense of joy – as if God was smiling upon you. How was that different to the (merely) ‘happy’ time?
4. What do make of the idea that happiness depends on circumstances but joy is different and deeper?
5. Are you currently experiencing a season of joy? If not, can you still say that you carry joy within you, on some deeper level, and that you anticipate it coming into fruit again?
6. Would you say that it is times of suffering or times of ease that help us grow?
7. Do you agree with the idea that joy is the fruit of a journey driven by love? If not, why not?