Your One Wants Joy

Intentional Churches helps churches mobilize their Ninety-nines to reach and grow their Ones.

So in this blog series, we will discuss some things that your One wants. 

I have had some fantastic experiences in my life. I attended Game 1 of the 1990 World Series, watched live as my beloved Ohio State Buckeyes played and won a National Championship Game, traveled to incredible places, and heard my daughters cry after their first breath. 

And one of those things is not like the other. 

I distinctly remember walking out of the stadium after Ohio State won its national championship and thinking, “That was fun and cool, but my life isn’t changed because of it.”

And I was right. 

But still, when I see social media or television ads, I can believe that the key to lasting joy is a never-ending experience palooza, saving the right amount of money, or buying the perfect product. 

Those things can make me happy for a moment, but they will not produce lasting joy. 

Joy is found in relationships, serving, and giving myself away for others. It is a by-product of life lived with purpose and can rise above current circumstances. 

I know all of that. 

Yet even as a follower of Jesus for my entire adult life, I still find those ads alluring

Why?

Because we crave joy so desperately that when advertisers appeal to it a little, it strikes a chord in our hearts. 

Now, think about your One.

They crave joy desperately. 

So, as you lead your congregation to reach their Ones, teach on the topic of joy-craving. Teach them that we are looking for joy and that every person they know right now is doing something because they 100% believe it will bring them joy. 

Teach them not to condemn people for their joy-seeking, but see it as an entry point into a better conversation. Teach them to explore with their One questions like, 

• How did you pursue joy when you were younger?

• What are you doing to pursue joy right now?

• How is that working?

Teach them to tell their Ones about their stories of failure and success with lasting joy. (Oh, I can’t emphasize the importance of telling the stories of failure with grace, humility, and humor. It builds a lasting connection.)

Teach them not to judge others’ joy pursuits but to be inquisitive, gracious, and winsome. 

Teach them to show their Ones what true joy looks like walking with Jesus.

After all, we all crave joy and are all pretty bad at remembering what gives it to us.