The Character Quality of Joyfulness

This past January the Lord has led me to start a father-son group called Contenders for the Faith, which comes from Keepers of the Faith ministries (http://www.keepersofthefaith.com). The boys vary in age from 8 years old to 16 years old. I liken the group to a cross between Awana Clubs and Boy Scouts. The boys are challenged to study and memorize Scripture and learn and practice leadership, service, and practical skills. The group helps the fathers and their sons with accountability, recitation of memorized passages, and teaching them new skills that they get to practice. I've made the study of Godly character qualities a part of the group meeting; each week I presented a different character quality from the Operational Definitions of Character Qualities chart (source: S.M. Davis -- http://www.solvefamilyproblems.org). The general structure of the presentation of a character quality contained the dictionary definition, the operational definition from S.M. Davis, a list of related Bible verses, a few questions to ask the boys, and a brief essay.

How does that apply to "Where's Your Joy?", you ask. One of the character qualities that I presented was 'Joyfulness' and without further ado, here is my presentation:

Dictionary Definition for 'Joyfulness' (source: Webster’s Dictionary): experiencing, causing, or showing joy.

Dictionary Definition for 'Joy' (source: Webster’s Dictionary): the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; a state of happiness or felicity; a source or cause of delight;

Operational Definition (Source: S.M. Davis): (vs. Self-Pity) The spontaneous enthusiasm of my spirit when my soul is in fellowship with God.

Bible Verses:

Proverbs 15:13 – A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Psalm 16:11 – Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Proverbs 23:24 – The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

John 15:11 – These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Acts 20:24 – But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Galatians 5:22,23 –

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Hebrews 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

James 1:2,3 –

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Questions:

1. In your own words, what is the difference between joy and happiness?
2. How does your fellowship with God affect your joy? How does joy affect your fellowship with others?
3. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, should we always have joy? If we say no, what does that say about the sufficiency and promises of God that we have in Christ Jesus? If we say yes, what is expected about our attitudes, behaviors, and words?

Discussion:

Old Testament Hebrew

(from http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/OldTestamentHebrew/) :

'Simchah' [ from 'Sameach' [from 'Samach']] – joyfulness, God’s joy, merry, to be glad

New Testament Greek

(from http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/):

'Agalliasis' – external display of gladness that comes from within, like a spring of water.

'Euphrosune' – gladness that comes from without; for example, “You bring me joy”.

'Chara' [from 'Chairo'] – mental attitude of joy; gladness that comes by choice, to rejoice.

Psalms 36:9 says “For with thee (God) is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” From where we are (light or darkness), we take on and display attitudes, emotions, speak words, and do actions. I John 1:7 says “But if we walk in the light, as he (Jesus) is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” As Christians, the joy of the Lord is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that comes from fellowship with our Father God. However, our fellowship with God can be affected by sin, (which comes from not walking in the light) and produces wrong attitudes, emotions, words, and actions. Our choice to sin, which includes denying the sufficiency of Christ to satisfy out needs, hinders the growth of joy in our lives; on the other hand, a sign of our growth in Christ is the increase of joy in our lives regardless of our circumstances. Let’s remember Jesus’ words in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”, and pray that He keeps us walking in the light, choosing to rely on His strength, and do all for His glory with exceeding joy.