small group questions

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SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

WEEK: 23

GOAL OF TONIGHT Help students see how God’s story intersects with their story and why that matters in their day-to-day life. WELCOME & ICE BREAKER Hey small group! It's going to be a really fun night together - but before we dive into the Bible, let's talk ice cream trucks. You know those trucks that come around the neighborhood playing music? What is your favorite thing to get from an ice cream truck? Bomb pops? Ice cream sandwich?

BIBLE VERSES Romans 4:6-8 (suggested translation, NLT)

QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS THE BIBLE VERSES Leaders - We are in the second week of studying the benefits of knowing Jesus. This week, we focus on the JOY that comes with following Jesus. First- ask these questions and then read the verses together. 1. What is something that you do that always makes you happy? 2. What is something in your life that fills you with joy? 3. What do you think the difference is between happiness and joy? Leaders -here are the dictionary definitions for you: Happy: delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing: to be happy to see a person. Joy: the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son's success. Now, let's read these verses together and then answer some more questions. Read Romans 4:6-8, 1. What do these verses say is the REASON that people who follow Jesus feel joy? 2. Have you ever been forgiven for something pretty bad? What does that feel like? 3. What do you think it would feel like to be completely forgiven of EVERYTHING you've ever done wrong or will do wrong in the future?

LEADER INSIGHT There are TONS of verses in the Bible that talk about this unexplainable joy that people get who follow Jesus, but in reality it's very difficult to describe in words what that joy feels like. Today, let's help students dive in by defining joy and helping them to see how JOYFUL it is to be completely forgiven of sin.

APPLICATION SUGGESTIONS Explain to the students that even if it's difficult to believe, when you ask Jesus for forgiveness he DOES forgive you -and the joy you will feel from the freedom of that forgiveness is AMAZING. Perhaps a challenge to THANK GOD daily for his forgiveness!