HAPPINESS THE BIBLE WAY

 

A subject of importance to most people; this study explores it from the standpoint of the world.

YOU ARE HAPPY IF (WORLD’S VIEW):	GOD’S VIEW:

If happiness is not based on God, how long will it last (Lk. 16:25)?  __________________________.

How did Job describe it (Job 20:5)?  ___________________________________________________.

How long is earthly happiness guaranteed (Lk. 12:20)?  ____________________________________.

Did the wise man achieve happiness in this life (Eccl. 12:1)?  ________________________________.

What do we learn from this text?  ______________________________________________________.

Explain Eccl. 7:6:  __________________________________________________________________.

The Bible tells us where happiness from the world comes from:

Ps. 52:7 says many try to find happiness in _______________________________________________.

Where else do people find happiness (Ps. 37:35)?  _________________________________________.

“Happy people” (in the world) often do what is found in Isa. 22:13 and Hab. 1:16.

What do both of these verses describe?  __________________________________________________.

What is “happy” hour in the world?  _____________________________________________________.

Isa. 5:11; 56:12 - ____________________________________________________________________.

A consequence of worldly happiness (Isa. 5:12)?  __________________________________________.

Happiness in the world often comes with this price (Hab. 1:15):  ______________________________.

We may sometimes think those pursuing worldly happiness “always get away with it.”

Is this conclusion right?  Num. 11:33; Ps. 73:17-20; Jer. 25:10-11.

We see images that say living as the world makes people happy – t.v. is a great example.  Prov. 14:13.

Very clear passages:  Ps. 73:3 - ________________________________________________________.

A prophet - Jer. 12:1 - _______________________________________________________________.

Hab. 1:13 - ________________________________________________________________________.

God’s advice to us (Ps. 37:1) - _________________________________________________________.

Additional verses to help us – Amos 6:1 & Lk. 6:25 - _______________________________________.

A story that illustrates the point – Dan. 5:1-9 - _____________________________________________.

How God views these people – Acts 12:21-23 - ____________________________________________.

Let’s remember the world for what it really is – not a true place of happiness:

Lk. 21:10-11 (destruction of Jerusalem) - _________________________________________________.

Happiness in the world is often shallow.  Cartoon once said:  “Will you marry me for a year or two?”

A jeweler designed a ring that didn’t go all the way around the finger – “always a way out.”

If we seek happiness, we cannot seek truth.  Why?

Stated more strongly, Satanism (in one form or another) leads to worldly happiness.  Discuss.

A third perspective:  the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) are often the tools of “happiness.”

Why is the world so bent on pursuing happiness?  ________________________________________.

What destroys/limits happiness:  _________________________________________________________.

Consequences of unhappiness in the world:  _______________________________________________.

Common excuses for not being happy:  ___________________________________________________.

Sins resulting from unhappiness:  _______________________________________________________.

Happiness is not determined by age, gender, race or income, friendships, marriage, etc..  Something else. 

“Happiness” has been classified as a “subjective emotional state” which is “basically contentment.”

Today many are trying to find happiness in the midst of terror/a host of natural disasters.

In the year 2,000 13.4 billion dollars were spent on anti-depressant medication. 

Life not bettered through chemistry.  Surely something better than this exists.  It does - next week’s study