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The Jesus Always

52-Week Discussion Guide

Thomas Nelson

The Jesus Always 52-Week Discussion Guide

Embracing Joy in His Presence

The following discussion-guide questions are based on readings from the devotional Jesus Always and are designed to help an individual or group gain a deeper understanding of "embracing joy in His presence." The selections are identified by date; however, the discussion sessions do not have to be done on a specific date — the references are simply used to help you locate the passages. Questions can be used for group discussion or personal reflection any time of the year.

Discussion #1: Fullness of Joy

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated January 1, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. What past events of your life do you find yourself dwelling on? Do you tend to let the disappointments and failures of yesterday overshadow your life today? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. Today's reading tells us that "today is a precious gift" and that we should "rejoice and be glad in it." What are some ways you can pay attention to what's going on today and be grateful for the moment that is in front of you? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. One of the scriptures associated with the reading today promises this: "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11 NKJV). Do you believe that by seeking God daily you can find "fullness of joy"? What does this look like in your daily life? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Discussion #2: Joy That Knows No Bounds

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated January 8, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. What adversities are you facing today? Do you believe it's possible to still find joy in life amidst even the more difficult times? Describe a time when you found joy during a tough situation. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. Today's reading advises us to "refuse to let adversity keep you from enjoying Me." Why do you think it's important to lean on God during difficult times? What does the text tell us will happen when we "keep [our] hope fully fastened" on God? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. One of the scriptures for today explains, "Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8 NKJV). Write a prayer asking God for the courage to face your troubles boldly so that you may find inexpressible joy in Him. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Discussion #3: A Shining Light

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated January 15, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. How have you found strength when going through a dark time in your life? What are some blessings you've been able to bestow on others when they needed a "light" during their own dark times? _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. In the reading today, we are assured that God has an "eternal grip" on us and that He will never let us go. What does this reading tell us we can receive when we "cry out for His assistance" with even the smallest prayers for help? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. When you "trust in him at all times" and "pour out your hearts to him" as Psalm 62:8 exhorts us to do, you can know that God will be your refuge. Think about how God is your refuge. How, as today's reading suggests, might you see God's light "shining on in surpassing splendor" as you emerge from the shadows of difficult times? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Discussion #4: The Rock of Confidence

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated January 22, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. Today's reading reminds us that God is "worthy of all [our] confidence, all [our] trust." What are some ways God has empowered you with confidence to take on changes or shifting circumstances in your life? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. Psalm 18:2 provides this encouragement: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." In recognizing that the Lord is our rock, how does this knowledge have the potential to change how you approach difficult decisions in your life? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. Whenever we feel insecure, anxiety sets in. But when we choose to trust in God, our Rock, we can have power over anxious feelings. Whenever you feel anxious this week, take time to voice your feelings to God. Write a prayer asking God to lift you out of anxiety-ridden moments and find complete joy in Him. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Discussion #5: The Joyful Journey

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated January 29, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. Today's reading reminds us that "you feel more alive — more awake and real — when you are actively pursuing [God]." What does it mean to you to pursue God? Describe some ways you seek Him in your life. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. One of the scriptures for today tells us this: '"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile'" (Jeremiah 29:13–14). As you consider the things of life that might hold you captive, what are the ways you've seen God "bring you back from captivity"? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. Our journey through life can be joyful as we seek God along the way. Take time to focus on God through all of your commitments this week. Record here all the ways you recognize His presence through each day. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Discussion #6: Rejoice in the Lord

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated February 5, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. Do you believe that no matter what happens in life, you can still be joyful in the Lord? Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Make a list of the joys in your life today, and note how they are present, despite any challenges you may be currently facing. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. Today's reading tells us that God is "training you to view your life from a heavenly perspective — through eyes of faith." As you find ways to deal with the circumstances of the moment, are you able to look beyond them with "eyes of faith" and express your confidence that God is still at work in your life? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. Try practicing the phrase "I can still rejoice in You, Jesus" with each circumstance you face this week. As you do this each day, take note of how this practice helps change your perspective to a more joyful one throughout the week. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Discussion #7: Glimpses of Heaven

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated February 12, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. Have you ever had a moment in your life that felt like a "taste of heaven's splendor"? These are times when God made Himself evident with some gift or circumstance that powerfully revealed His goodness. Describe one of these times. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. Today's reading shows that God offers us an "inexpressible and glorious Joy — straight from heaven itself!" We can rejoice in the fact that we serve a "risen, living Savior." And though for now we know Him by faith, not sight, we can look forward to seeing Him one day. What are some ways you relate to God as your Father, even though you've not yet seen Him face to face? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. Our love and belief in a living God, whom we haven't seen, defines an important aspect of the Christian faith. Reflect on these words from John 20:29: "Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'" (NKJV). What are some blessings that come from your faith and the assurance that you will spend eternity with your heavenly Father? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Discussion #8: Reliable Source of Joy

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated February 19, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. Psalm 16:8 says, "I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken" (NASB). The knowledge that God is always near should be a tremendous source of joy for us. What are some things that remind you that God is never far from you? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. Today's reading reminds us that we should be "real" with God in our prayers, and that when we "stay in close communication with [Him], the Joy of [His] Presence is [ours]!" How do you make communication with God a part of your daily routine? How else can you incorporate prayer into your day? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. Communication with God happens when we "study and meditate on Scripture." How does knowing God's Word more intimately help change your mind-set for the better? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Discussion #9: A Beautiful Heart

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated February 26, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. Today's reading says that "man looks at the outward appearance, but [God looks] at the heart" and that God is "primarily interested in the condition of your heart, and [He works] to create beauty in it." We know God created visually beautiful things for our pleasure, but what in your life is beautiful from a heart perspective? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. Proverbs 4:23 warns us to "above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." What does it mean to you to "guard your heart"? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. When we align our priorities with what God has taught in the Bible and hide these principles in our hearts, He creates something of beauty in our lives — far beyond the beauty of this world. As you read the Bible this week, begin to memorize key verses in an effort to nourish the beauty of your heart with God's Word. Write one or more of those verses here. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Discussion #10: All in Good Time

Please read the devotion (or listen if you have the Jesus Always audiobook) and related Scripture passages from Jesus Always dated March 4, and then answer/discuss these questions:

1. Most of us don't enjoy waiting for things in life; instead, we would rather make things happen to hasten the process along. Today's reading reminds us that while "waiting patiently does not come easily to you, ... it is nonetheless very good for you." What are some benefits that might result from waiting patiently? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. "Timing is everything," we're often told. As we ponder God's timing, can you think of some circumstances in your life when the timing may not have been your choosing? Did God's timing influence the outcomes in a positive way? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Excerpted from The Jesus Always by Sarah Young. Copyright © 2016 Sarah Young. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
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