Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection:

Read John 2: 1-11.

1. What does the word “joy” mean to you? How can you choose joy every day?

2. In what ways was Jesus a joy-bringer? Why is this important?

3. Paul describes Christians as “ambassadors of Christ.” In that sense, shouldn’t we all be joy-bringers too? Do you feel like you are a joy-bringer now? Why/why not? How can you do better?

4. To conclude this “One at a Time” series, Kyle Idleman titled this week’s episode, “One Party at a Time.” How did Jesus bring joy to the party/ wedding celebration in today’s passage?

5. Idleman points out that Jesus performed his first public miracle at a party/ wedding celebration. Why is this significant? What can we learn from this?

6. A couple of weeks ago, we studied the passage in Luke 5 when Jesus called Levi to be his disciple and then Levi threw a great party (banquet) with a guest list of “sinners and tax collectors.” How does this fit with Idleman’s “One Party at a Time” philosophy? What does it teach us about who to invite and how to make disciples?

7. In Matthew 11: 19, we hear that the Pharisees accuse Jesus of being “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Why did they say this? What were they misunderstanding about Jesus? How can our proper understanding of Jesus make us better disciple-makers and better joy-bringers?

8. Read Luke 2: 10. Who is the source of Good News and great joy? Who are God’s intended recipients of this Good News and great joy? What does that mean for us?

9. What are some ways GLUMC uses the “One Party at a Time” strategy to bring joy and make disciples in our area? What are some other/new ways we could do this even better?

Reflection:

Lord Jesus, you truly are the source of Good News and great joy for all people. Help us to share this Good News and great joy with all those who have yet to experience it for themselves. Help us to truly be your ambassadors to the world. Help us to be joy-bringers! Help us to find ways to meet people where they are, love on them and welcome them into your kingdom. Forgive us for the times when our guest lists have been incomplete, our seating arrangements have been developed out of fear, and our menus have been selfishly limited. Help us to do better. Help us to practice radical hospitality. Help us be joy-bringers who advance your kingdom right here on earth. We love you, Lord Jesus, and we surrender our lives to you anew this day, and every day to come. We pray all of this in your precious, holy and strong name. Amen.