New To Bible Marking? CLICK HERE
If you were to name a main characteristic of Christianity, what would it be? “I could tell you were a Christian because ___________.” How would you fill in that blank? There are many correct answers. We could say it’s about faith (Hebrews 11:6; 2 Corinthians 5:7). Our faith should be established enough that others see God through us. We could say it’s about love (John 13:34-35; Matthew 22:37). Our love should be expressed enough that others know we belong to Christ. We could say it’s about holiness (Romans 12:1). Our holiness should be exemplified enough that others see that we’re not of this world. We could definitely say it’s about hope (Hebrews 6:19). Our hope should be evident enough that others long for what we have. But let us notice something together that is a recurring theme of the First Century Christians.
In the front of your Bible, write: A Characteristic of Christianity-Acts 2:46
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.
Circle “gladness.” Why were these very first Christians glad? Underline “taking their meals together.” At the end of the verse, write 5:41.
So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Circle “rejoicing.” This is almost unbelievable. The previous verse tells us these Christians had just been flogged. What did they find to rejoice about? Underline “that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for his name.” At the end of the verse, write 8:8.
So there was much rejoicing in that city.
Circle “much rejoicing.” Put brackets around verses five through seven. Stephen had just been stoned for preaching. Saul was persecuting Christians and dragging them out of their homes. What were the Christians doing? Sharing Christ anyway. In the midst of their own hardships, they still focused on bringing joy to others. At the end of the verse, write v. 39
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.
Circle “rejoicing.” Underline “he baptized him” in v. 38. At the end of the verse, write 11:23.
Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.
Circle “rejoiced.” Underline “witnessed the grace of God.” In verse 21, underline “a large number who believed turned to the Lord, “and draw a line connecting that phrase to the one you underlined in verse 23. At the end of the verse, write 13:48.
When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Circle “rejoicing.” Underline “when the Gentiles heard this.” Put brackets around verse 47. At the end of the verse write v. 52.
And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Circle “continually filled with joy.” Underline verse 49 and draw a line connecting it to the phrase you just circled. At the end of the verse, write 15:3.
Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.
Circle “great joy.” Underline “describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles.” At the end of the verse, write v. 31.
When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
Circle “rejoiced.” Underline “because of its encouragement.” At the end of the verse, write Rom. 12:12, 15.
Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
In verse 12, circle “rejoicing” and underline “in hope.” In verse 15, circle both occurrences of “rejoice.” At the end of verse 15, write 14:17.
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Circle “joy” and underline “in the Holy Spirit.” Our joy is not based on physical things but on spiritual things. Joy is a spiritual matter! At the end of the verse, write 15:13.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Circle “all joy” and underline “in believing.” Draw a square around both occurrences of “hope.” At the end of the verse, write 16:19.
For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
Circle “rejoicing” and underline “your obedience.” At the end of the verse, write 1 Cor. 12:26.
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if onemember is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Circle “rejoice” and underline “if one member is honored.” At the end of the verse, write 2 Cor. 7:4.
Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.
Circle “overflowing with joy” and underline “in all our affliction.” This chapter paints a beautiful picture of what causes joy for the Christian. The next few verses will help us see it. At the end of the verse, write v. 7.
And not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.
Circle “rejoiced even more.” Underline “your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me.” At the end of the verse, write v. 9.
I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
Circle “rejoice” and underline “repentance.” At the end of the verse, write v. 13.
For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
Circle “rejoiced even much more” and “joy.” Underline “because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.” At the end of the verse, write v. 16.
I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you.
Circle “rejoice” and underline “I have confidence in you.” Some of the most special moments in the life of any church is one someone repents. Think of the sorrow that initially comes from church discipline or falling tears on a Christian’s face, but when repentance comes, great rejoicing is ALWAYS the result! This is real joy. At the end of the verse, write 13:11.
Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Circle “rejoice.” At the end of the verse, write Gal. 5:22.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…
Circle “joy.” Underline “fruit of the Spirit.” If you’re not exhibiting joy, are you walking by the Spirit? At the end of the verse, write Phil. 1:18.
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice
Circle both occurrences of “rejoice” and underline “Christ is proclaimed.” At the end of the verse, write 1 Pet. 1:6-8.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
In verse six, circle “greatly rejoice.” In verse eight, circle “greatly rejoice” and “joy.” Underline “salvation” in verses five and nine. At the end of verse eight, write 4:13.
But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
Circle “rejoicing” and “rejoice.” Underline “share the sufferings of Christ.” This is how Christians can respond to “fiery ordeals” and “testings” (v. 1). At the end of the verse, write 3 John 3-4.
For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
Circle “very glad” and “no greater joy.” Underline “you are walking in truth” and “my children walking in the truth.” At the end of the verse, write Rev. 19:7.
For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
Circle “rejoice” and “be glad.” Underline “the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” (Note how she has made herself ready, v. 8).
If we’re wrestling with doubt instead of living by faith, will that help others see God?
If we’re cold instead of loving, will others ever guess that we belong to Christ?
If we’re worldly instead of holy, will those around us know that we’ve been risen with Christ?
If we’re displaying despair instead of hope, will our family and friends desire the Christian life?
In the same way, if we tend to look unhappy or miserable instead of rejoicing, will we draw anyone to our Savior? Joy should be a characteristic of every Christian, even through difficult times. Decide today to show it, live it, and share it. Rejoice in the Lord always!
For more Bible Marking topics CLICK HERE
by Kathy Pollard
- Bible Marking: You Are… - July 7, 2022
- Bible Marking: Know Your Enemy - January 28, 2022
- Bible Marking: Strong Drink - November 25, 2020
Welcome! We are so glad you stopped by. Come Fill Your Cup is a group of Christian ladies dedicated to equipping women for study and service. We know you are busy and that life’s hectic pace pulls you in so many directions, but you can’t truly be the woman God desires unless you take time to fill your own cup…not with spa days (though we love a good spa!) or the latest novel…but with God’s Holy Word. We want to help you with that! Our goal is to reach you in the midst of your busy day and give you encouragement, education, and fellowship as you strive to live the life God has laid before you. Our prayer is that we can help fill your cup so that you, in turn, can overflow to all those around you. So, as we like to say…come fill your cup, and let it overflow!