Joy is a foundational element of our faith. It connects us to God, ourselves and one another, it helps us endure difficult seasons, and it grounds our lives in the loving presence of God. This month, we will craft experiments to practice together that will help us deepen our capacity for joy.
You can find the handout for crafting an experiment here.
Week 1
In the first week, Nicole guided us through crafting our experiments. She invited us to consider how we might move toward centering ourselves in Christ and cultivate the conditions necessary for joy to grow in our lives.
Kingdom Practice
This month, we will continue to practice the experiments we crafted. (You can find the handout for crafting an experiment here.) But we know these experiments are better practiced in community. We look to one another for support and learn from one another as we process the journey together. Each week, we will check in (simply via email or text) to share how we are doing with our experiments and what we are learning about ourselves and God. If you are a part of a Practice Table, you’ll that will be your group. If you are not connected with a Table you can either form your own group or we can help. Either way, please let us know, so we can share resources and support you on the journey.
Week 2
In the second week of our experiments, Bethany Timmons reminded us it is okay to wrestle with joy because God is always joyful and always offering joy to us.
Kingdom Practices
This month, we will continue to practice the experiments we crafted. (It is not too late to begin. You can find the handout for crafting an experiment here.) This week, we encourage you to consider how the image of our joyful God impacts your experiment, and perhaps you might consider continuing the practice of intercession Bethany shared this week.
Please also remember we hope to practice our experiments in community. Having a space to share our experiences and encourage one another is important on the journey. You can either form a group or we can help get you connected. Either way, please let us know, so we can share resources and support you on the journey.
Week 3
In the third week of our experiments we asked, what if God is dancing through creation spreading the seeds of joy and connection all over? How might we become fertile soil for those seeds to take root and flourish?
Kingdom Practices
This month, we will continue to practice the experiments we crafted. (It is not too late to begin. You can find the handout for crafting an experiment here.) This week, you might specifically consider how your experiment is cultivating fertile ground for God’s seeds of joy to take root.
Additional Resources
Books
Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
The Soul of Desire by Curt Thompson
The Deepest Place by Curt Thompson
This Homeward Ache by Amy Baik Lee
The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris
The Other Half of Church by Michel Hendricks and Jim Wilder
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
Poems
The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thomspon
Don’t Hesitate by Mary Oliver
Songs
Death in Reverse a song by John Mark and Sarah McMillan
Canticle a song by TAYA
Be the Center a song by Vineyard Worship
Jesus, Be the Center a song by Oasis Worship
Other Resources
Opening Ourselves to Joy an article by Trevor Hudson
Carbonated Holiness an article by Carolyn Arends
The Christian Plummet a sonnet by Malcolm Guite
Joy Strength a Renovaré webinar with Richard Foster and Marti Ensign
If you have a story to share about how you have been encountering God in this season, we would love to hear it!
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