How can we encourage others to find joy in God's commandments? Opening Verse Psalm 119:174 — “I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight.” Why Joy in God’s Commandments Matters • God’s commands reveal His good character; delighting in them means delighting in Him. • Obedience is the pathway to fullness of joy (John 15:10-11). • His statutes bring real, tangible blessing (Psalm 19:8; James 1:25). • Delighting in the Word combats the pull of sin (Psalm 119:11). Linking Scriptures That Celebrate Delight • Psalm 119:103 — “How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth!” • Psalm 19:10-11 — “They are more desirable than gold… in keeping them is great reward.” • 1 John 5:3 — “His commandments are not burdensome.” • Proverbs 3:1-2 — Obedience “adds length to your days… peace to your life.” • Romans 7:22 — “In my inner being I delight in God’s law.” Practical Ways to Encourage Others Model delight • Speak naturally about verses that thrill you. • Let friends see real-life choices shaped by Scripture. Share testimonies • Tell concrete stories of how obeying God’s Word protected, guided, or blessed you. • Invite others to share their own experiences of obedience and joy. Make Scripture accessible • Read or listen to the Bible together in manageable sections. • Use creative methods—journaling, Scripture art, verse-cards—to keep commands visible and memorable. Highlight freedom, not restriction • Point to James 1:25’s “perfect law of freedom.” • Show how God’s boundaries free us from regret and bondage. Connect commands to Christ • Emphasize that Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father (John 15:10) and now empowers believers to do the same (Philippians 2:13). • Celebrate the gospel: we obey from acceptance, not for acceptance. Celebrate obedience • When someone acts on God’s Word, rejoice openly. • Mark milestones—finishing a study, memorizing a passage—with notes, texts, or small gatherings. Offer supportive accountability • Pair up for weekly check-ins on specific commands being practiced. • Keep tone encouraging, never shaming (Hebrews 10:24-25). Pray with and for them • Regular intercession asks God to open hearts to delight in His statutes (Psalm 119:18). Living It Out Together 1. Choose one command you’re both eager to practice this week. 2. Memorize a matching promise (e.g., John 15:11). 3. Check in mid-week to share how joy is growing through obedience. 4. End the week by reading Psalm 34:8 aloud: “Taste and see that the LORD is good…” When delight is lived, spoken, and celebrated in community, others are drawn to discover for themselves the joy wrapped inside every command of our gracious God. |
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