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SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

Joy

NOVEMBER 2, 2025

Bible Reading: Acts 16: 6 – 40  (NIV)

Discussion Guide Questions

  1. Lydia’s hospitality started with opening her home to strangers. Who is someone in your life—maybe a neighbor, coworker, or even a family member—that God might be calling you to welcome or serve in a new way? What’s one step you could take this week?

  2. The gospel set the slave girl free from spiritual and economic bondage. Is there an area in your life where you feel stuck, bound, or exploited? What would it look like to bring that struggle into the light and speak the name of Jesus over it?

  3. Paul and Silas found joy in the middle of suffering. When you face hard times, what is your usual response? Is there a way you could practice turning to prayer and worship, even when things are tough?

  4. The jailer responded to grace by serving and caring for Paul and Silas. Who in your life could you bless this week with a practical act of service or kindness, as a response to the grace you’ve received?

  5. The message challenged us to live with “open hands”—not just believing in Jesus, but letting that belief overflow into generosity. What is one area of your life (time, resources, attention) where you could be more open-handed?

Bible Reading: Philippians 1: 9 – 11  (NIV)

Discussion Guide Questions

  1. Think of someone in your life who is difficult for you to love right now. What would it look like for your love to “overflow” toward them this week? Is there a specific action or conversation you could have?
  2. Paul prays for discernment so that we can “discern what is best.” Can you think of a recent situation where you needed wisdom to know what was truly loving? How did you decide what to do, and would you do anything differently now?
  3. The message warned about gossip and division as threats to unity. Have you ever been part of a conversation that could have led to division or gossip? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to protect unity?
  4. The sermon mentioned the “24-hour rule” for dealing with conflict or concerns about others. How do you usually handle situations where you’re frustrated with someone in the church? Would you be willing to try this approach? Why or why not?
  5. Paul says the fruit of righteousness comes “through Jesus Christ.” Are there areas in your life where you’re trying to produce fruit on your own, rather than depending on Jesus? What would it look like to abide in Christ more deeply this week?

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ”

Bible Reading: Philippians 4: 4 – 9  (NIV)

Discussion Guide Questions

  1. Think about a recent situation where you felt anxious or overwhelmed. Did you try to “fix it” yourself, or did you bring it to God in prayer? What would it look like to practice Paul’s pattern: pray, petition, give thanks, and then rest?

  2. The sermon suggests speaking gratitude over your home or family. What is one specific way you could express gratitude to someone in your household this week? How might that shift the atmosphere

  3. Social media and comparison can steal our joy. Is there a habit or routine you could change (like “no scrolling before Scripture”) to help guard your mind from comparison?

  4. Serving others is described as a way to multiply joy. Who is one person outside your family you could serve this month? What simple act could you do for them?

  5. Paul’s checklist in verse 8 is meant to filter our thoughts. Is there a recurring thought or worry that doesn’t fit this list? What would it look like to replace it with something true or praiseworthy?

Bible Reading: Philippians 2: 1 – 11  (NIV)

Discussion Guide Questions

  1. Think about a recent disagreement or tension you’ve had—at church, at home, or at work. Did you fight for your preference, or did you seek unity and shared purpose? What would it look like to “go first” in humility in that situation?

  2. The sermon challenged us to pick one area where we usually demand our way and surrender it to Jesus this week. What is one specific area (big or small) where you can do this? How will you remind yourself to follow through?

  3. Are there people in your life—maybe even in this group—who see things differently than you? What would it look like to make space for their perspective, or to encourage someone you disagree with?

  4. The message said, “Bridges get walked on, but they also carry people to safety.” Is there a relationship or situation where you need to be a bridge, even if it means being misunderstood or taken for granted? What’s holding you back?

  5. When was the last time you let someone else’s preference take the lead—at home, at church, or in your friendships? How did it feel? What did you learn?

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