Everyone comes with a different interpretation of what they think God says

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1.     God is the Source of Life and Joy.

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Genesis 1:1 NIV In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

Genesis 1:26-31 NLT  ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” ²⁷ So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ²⁸ Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” ²⁹ Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. ³⁰ And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened. ³¹ Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

Chapter 2:8-9,15-17 NLT Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. ⁹ The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil……¹⁵ The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. ¹⁶ But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— ¹⁷ except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

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SEE 

FEEL

HEAR 

TOUCH

TASTE 

ENJOY the LIFE HE gives!

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2.     Jesus came to restore and redeem life.

John 10:10 NLT ¹⁰ The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 

NKJV I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Ephesians 1:7 NIV In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

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Colossians 1:13-14 NIV ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

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3.     Jesus had fun.

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Mark 10:13-16 NIV ¹³ People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

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4.     Boundaries in the Bible are for our good.

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Proverbs 14:12 NLT There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

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Galatians 5:13 NLT ¹³ For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

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Psalm 84:11-12 NLT For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. ¹² O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.

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5.     Followers of Christ should be Lifegiving and fun people to be around.

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Acts 2:46-47 NIV Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. 

John 15:11 NIV. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

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COMMUNITY QUESTIONS

1.     What do you enjoy doing with friends?

2.     Why do you think that Christians have had a reputation for being not fun?

3.     What will you do this week with friends or family to enjoy God and each other?

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