Study Guide Week 1
JOY IN CHRIST — Philippians 1:12–26 & Luke 9:22–26
⏱️ 0–5 minutes — Welcome & Icebreaker
Choose one:
Describe a small thing that unexpectedly brought you joy this week.
What food or drink brings you the most comfort on a tough day?
If joy were a colour, what colour would it be for you today?
These questions gently open up conversation and lead into the theme of joy.
⏱️ 5–10 minutes — Read Scripture Together
Read aloud:
Philippians 1:12–26
Luke 9:22–26
Invite the group:
“As we read, notice anything that stands out, surprises you, or feels challenging.”
⏱️ 10–18 minutes — Observations (Group Discussion)
Let the group name initial reactions. Use prompts like:
1. What words or phrases grabbed your attention?
Joy? Suffering? Desire? Christ? Loss? Gain?
2. What do you notice about Paul’s attitude in prison?
His honesty, his contentment, his longing to be with Jesus.
3. How does Jesus’ teaching in Luke shape Paul’s attitude?
Self-denial, carrying the cross, gaining life by giving it away.
Encourage people to share freely — this is a safe, no-pressure space.
⏱️ 18–28 minutes — Leader’s Summary / Teaching Thought
Use this friendly, conversational summary to anchor the discussion:
🌟 Joy Isn’t the Same as Happiness
Happiness changes when circumstances change.
Joy is something deeper — rooted in a relationship with Jesus, not in how easy or hard life is.
🌟 Paul’s Past Shows Joy in Action
In Philippi, Paul had:
met Lydia by a river
delivered a slave girl
been beaten and thrown into prison
yet sang worship songs in the night
Why? Because his joy came from Jesus, not from his surroundings.
🌟 Paul’s Present Situation (Writing from Prison)
Again, Paul is locked up. He could be executed.
Yet he writes with confidence, saying that whether he lives or dies, he’s with Jesus either way.
His purpose is clear:
To live is Christ.
To die is gain.
It’s not that Paul didn’t feel pain, stress, fear — he just knew that Jesus was bigger than all of it.
🌟 Paul’s Future Hope
Paul longed to be with Jesus — not as an escape, but because he genuinely loved him.
And because he knew Jesus loved him personally.
That love gave him:
courage
strength
perspective
joy
purpose
It liberated him from fear.
🌟 Joy Comes From Knowing Jesus Is With Us
Circumstances may bring sadness, confusion, or frustration — but they can’t steal the joy Christ gives.
Joy lives deeper than circumstances.
Joy flows from relationship.
Joy is the fruit of trust.
And joy grows when we focus not on “What’s happening to me?”
but on “Who is with me?”
⏱️ 28–36 minutes — Deep Discussion Questions
Choose 2–4 depending on time:
💬 1. Paul had joy in prison. Where have you experienced joy in difficult circumstances?
💬 2. What helps you keep your eyes on Jesus when life feels overwhelming?
💬 3. In Luke 9, Jesus talks about denying ourselves and following him. What does that look like in real life for you?
💬 4. Paul says “to live is Christ, to die is gain.” How do you honestly feel about that statement?
💬 5. Is there an area of life right now where you need Christ’s joy to break in? What might it look like to welcome him into that?
Allow space for honesty — not every answer needs to be neat or tidy.
⏱️ 36–40 minutes — Response & Prayer
Invite the group to take a moment of quiet, reflecting on one area where they need Christ’s joy.
Then pray together using these points:
🙏 Prayer Points
“Jesus, fill me with your joy that isn’t shaken by circumstances.”
“Holy Spirit, strengthen me where I feel weak, tired, or worn down.”
“Father, help me trust your love more deeply and walk each day with confidence in you.”
If appropriate, offer personal prayer for anyone who wants it.