Joy - Unconditional Surrender

Elder Jeremy Callas brought the message Sunday by looking at JOY and asking what kind of life do I want for the coming year and what will I chase to reach my goals?  

His Big Idea was Joy is not a feeling. It’s a COMMITMENT, and it’s only found when doing the will of God.

He used Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Philippians 4:4, John 15:10-11, Hebrews 12:2, John 15:5, Matthew 6:24

1. What is the value in looking back at 2025 and taking inventory of one’s life - the good and the not so good? Share anything good or not so good.

2. What are some New Year’s resolutions or goals that you or others may try to achieve in 2026? What might your motivation be?

4. Our culture teaches us to seek joy from circumstances that bring comfort. What might be some of those comforting circumstances? What is the downside to “comforting circumstances”? 

Jeremy used this quote “Joy should be the bedrock of how we live... Not the froth at the top of a wave. Joy is a deep satisfaction in the will of God, and this must be coupled with recognizing the reality that God's will is everywhere and in everything. This is no place where we can go and be allowed to murmur or despair because God's will is somehow "not there." 

5. What is the difference between “Froth Joy” and “Bedrock Joy”?

Jeremy also shared this passage: John 15:10-11 

10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

6. Biblical Joy comes from obedience to God’s will. How is this in conflict with our desire to control our circumstances? In what circumstance might a person choose comfort over obedience?  How does one receive joy when coping with negative circumstances? What about a difficult health diagnosis?

7. Are there circumstances where it seems to be impossible to have/find joy? If so, what might they be?

8. How can we encourage others to seek Biblical Joy? Think of an example.