Use this space to take your general notes during the message.

We know that God loves us and we assume that means God wants us to be happy. While this is true, it is only part of the bigger picture. Constantly pursuing happiness often means we are chasing a moving target.

Pastor Jonathan said, "The pursuit of happiness intersects with humanness". What does this mean? How does the following quote by CS Lewis illustrate this for us? "I'm not sure God wants us to be happy. I think he wants us to love and be loved. But we are like children, thinking our toys will make us happy and the whole world is our nursery."

Many times, we associate blessings with happiness. We think the more blessings we receive, the happier we will be.

Read Galatians 5:22-23. What is the difference between happiness and joy? Why is joy best described as a mindset as opposed to a feeling?

Holy means set apart for a purpose. Pastor Jonathan laid out the distinctions between happiness and holiness. Given these distinctions, why do you think that God is more concerned with holiness over happiness?
- Limiting vs Defining
- Self-focused vs Self-denial
- Momentary vs Big picture
- What happens vs Who you're becoming

Pastor Jonathan provided us with questions we can ask ourselves when navigating through life. How can these 3 questions help you refocus on God's bigger picture for your life; holiness?
1) When evaluating life: am I growing in holiness?
2) When planning for the future: Is this Jesus' purpose or agenda?
3) When making decisions: What is Jesus' way?

What might God's purposes be? Pastor Jonathan shared 4 possible examples that may be behind what God is doing in our lives. Have you experienced any of these 4 purposes in your own life? If so, what was God doing into it all?
To better Know Him- He is with us
An Inward Change- becoming more like Jesus
An Outward Expression- Love as Jesus loves us
To Bring The Way of His Kingdom- Join Him in His work

Read 1 Peter 1:14-16 and take some time and pray to our Heavenly Father. Ask Him to help you see His bigger picture; one of holiness and joy.