3.Discussion notes

‘Starter for Ten’ Question – to introduce the holy habit and get everyone talking

• Do you enjoy God?

Looking at the Bible – to see what God says about this holy habit

• Read Exodus 12:17, 24-27 in the Bible.

• What do you notice about God’s command to celebrate, and how might it have anchored the Israelites’ own understanding of their place within God’s narrative?

• What have been the moments of celebration in your own journey with God?

Discussion Questions – to dig a bit deeper into the holy habit

• What does the idea of God as the happiest person in the universe mean to you and your everyday life? Does it make you see God or yourself differently?

• Marjorie said that practicing celebration as an individual looks like a life of obedience, and that those who are most joy-filled are often the most disciplined in how they meet with God. Reflect back on this holy habits series – which are the habits that you will commit to cultivate in order to live a life of celebration and joy?

Getting Practical – to put the holy habit into practice in our lives

Marjorie encouraged us to practice this as communities by celebrating together, eating together, and having fun together. Make a plan to do this as a community and consider how you can make this a regular habit and not just a one-off.

Is there more to celebration than a disco ball and buffet?

I found myself reminiscing with a childhood friend recently about the sleepovers and parties that were a regular feature at our house. The disco ball, the late-night chats, the buffets, and the laughter. Whatever the season, my family would find a reason to celebrate. On birthdays, bonfire night, at Christmas and Easter, and many other times ‘just because’ we crammed dozens of people into our (very average-sized) house.

It’s no wonder that I’m a big fan of the holy habit of celebration. As I’ve grown though, I’ve come to recognise something much more profound in the practice of celebration that was lost on me as a child.

The dictionary defines celebrating as ‘to show that a day or an event is important by doing something special on it’. Insert disco ball and buffet here. But is that what this holy habit really boils down to? Is Jesus just telling us to ‘throw more parties’ (great as they are)?

I’ve got a feeling there’s a little more to it than that, for two reasons:

1 - Milestones and markers

The Israelites, the people of God, were a people marked by their celebrations. In Exodus 12 God commands them to celebrate the Festival of Passover, and to hand this on from generation to generation. Passover is a reminder that God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, passing over their houses to keep them from the plague of death. The Jewish annual calendar is littered with festivals and celebrations that are markers to remind them of what God has done.

These milestones throughout the year shape a community of faith that is constantly being reminded of who God is and what He has done. In our own lives we will also have milestones and markers that point to God’s faithfulness in our own life too – the day you encountered Jesus for the first time, your baptism, when you were struggling but because of God you still ate, when your dream job offer came through, when your child was born. How can you celebrate these points each year to boost our faith as we remember God’s past deeds?

We celebrate today because we know what He’s done.

2 - Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance

When Jesus’ ministry began, He stood in the synagogue and read these words:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see,that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come.” (Luke 4:18-19)

This is a radical message of freedom for all people. Jesus’ life was a witness and demonstration of God’s heart for all people to be set free and to know the Good News of Jesus. And that is still true today – we see God at work in all areas, and we can partner with Him in this, and we can do so with joy. Because of Jesus we are set free, and He continues to set more people free – now that’s a reason to celebrate! ‘Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance’.

We celebrate because we know what He’s doing.

Celebration, therefore, is not just a shallow act. It’s not a party without a reason, but celebration is a joy deep within us because we know what God has done and we know what He is doing. Our lives testify to God’s goodness through the milestones and markers that we can relive and encourage ourselves and others with. Every day we are filled with the joy that knowing Jesus brings – a joy based on knowing the one who sets captive free, causes the blind to see, and came proclaiming a time of jubilee.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like celebrating!

We’d encourage you to watch the video together online, discuss the questions, and read the blog post in order to go deeper.

It might look something like this:

• 7:30pm: Saying hi and catching up

• 7:45pm: Watch the teaching video

• 8:00pm: ‘Starter for Ten’ question

• 8:10pm: Look up the Bible passage and discuss

• 8:30pm: Discussion questions

• 8:45pm: Practice the holy habit and/or make plans for how you can do that this week

• 9:00pm: Say your goodbyes – see you next week!

• Don’t forget to begin by debriefing next week!

We know that every group is different, so feel free to do this in a way that works for you.

Not part of a community but want to join the journey? We’d love to hear from you and help you be part of the family! Email Charlotte on charlotte.henard@wellsheffield.com.

If you’re a community leader and have questions or need technological help, get in touch and we’ll see what we can do!

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