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Formerly Sabbath School Leadership, LEAD is a quarterly magazine to bring more power and polish to your Sabbath School programs and Sabbath School teaching.
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01.16.10: The Fruit-Joy 
Cultural Context
Western society tends to be prosperous and materialistic. Compared to the rest of the world, Americans live in relative affluence and comfort. Yet, in the midst of our decadence, many people are haunted by loneliness. Hearts are gripped with a void that things simply cannot fill.
Necessary Background/Further Resources
• The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 21
• Ecclesiastes: All Is Vanity, by Jacques B. Doukhan
• Existential—Derived from experience, or the experience of existence
Preparation
Read The Acts of the Apostles and the first two chapters of Ecclesiastes. Contrast the experience of Solomon with that of Paul or Silas.
Point of Contact
Questions
• What causes the inner ache of loneliness?
• Is the existential feeling of emptiness prevalent only in the West?
• Is there a relationship between prosperity and emptiness?
Points of Conversation
Read Acts 16:16-27. Paul and Silas were stripped, severely flogged, and placed in a prison with their feet in stocks. Sleeping was difficult, so at midnight they started singing hymns to God. In the midst of the severe trials, Paul and Silas had incredible joy.
Questions
• Why were Paul and Silas able to be joyful in the midst of such difficulties?
• What do you think was their mental focusing?
• What is the relationship between true joy and circumstances, and what does this say about the nature of true joy?
“The apostles suffered extreme torture because of the painful position in which they were left, but they did not murmur. Instead, in the utter darkness and desolation of the dungeon, they encouraged each other by words of prayer and sang praises to God because they were found worthy to suffer shame for His sake” (The Acts of the Apostles, pp., 213, 214).
Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. Solomon had it all: power, money, intelligence, and influence. He says: “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired.” Every desire was indulged. Yet he states that in the end it all proved “meaningless” like “chasing after the wind.” He had no joy.
Questions
• What was the cause of Solomon’s existential emptiness?
• Is it possible to be wealthy and filled with joy?
• Where does a human being find true meaning and fulfillment?
Parting Thought (Buzz words are bolded.)
G. K. Chesterton said that meaninglessness comes not from being weary of pain but from being weary of pleasure. It is when we attempt to find meaning apart from the God who defined us that we will always be riddled with the inner ache of loneliness.
Existential angst is universal to all humanity, regardless of their philosophical underpinnings. Everyone has a longing for something more—that only Christ can give.
“I may, I suppose, regard myself, or pass for being, a relatively successful man. People occasionally stare at me in the streets—that’s fame. I can fairly easily earn enough to qualify for admission to the higher slopes of the Internal Revenue—that’s success. Furnished with money and a little fame even the elderly, if they care to, may partake of trendy diversions—that’s pleasure. It might happen once in a while that something I said or wrote was sufficiently heeded for me to persuade myself that it represented a serious impact on our time—that’s fulfillment. Yet I say to you—and beg you to believe me—multiply these tiny triumphs by a million, add them all together, and they are nothing—less than nothing, a positive impediment—measured against one drought of that living water Christ offers to the spiritually thirsty, irrespective of who or what they are” (Malcolm Muggeridge, Seeing Through the Eye, p. 97).
The joy that Christ offers is incomparable. It exists regardless of the circumstances, regardless of affluence, regardless of trials. The Christian life is one that is full of supreme joy. The emotions may not always be there, but joy comes from knowing Christ is ever present. This joy is the natural result of being in Christ.
Reach Out
Connect with individuals on the universal desire for a meaningful experience, an experience filled with joy. Share your testimony about how you’ve found meaning and joy in following Jesus Christ.
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