Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

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If you have children, they are welcome to join our Sunday school classes! 

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” ¹⁸ And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

²¹ In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²² All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

²³ Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Our deepest joy is that we belong to God and know him.
I. Joy in His Work vv 17-19
II. Joy in Belonging v 20
III. Joy in Knowing God vv 21-24

Introduction
1.⁠ ⁠What is something that has brought you real joy recently?
2.⁠ ⁠What are some things people often look to for identity, significance, or a sense of success?

Into the Text
3.⁠ ⁠What are the seventy-two excited about when they return to Jesus in verse 17?
4.⁠ ⁠What does Jesus mean when he says, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”?
5.⁠ ⁠Why does Jesus tell them not to rejoice primarily in their spiritual success, but that their names are written in heaven?
6.⁠ ⁠What do verses 21-22 teach us about how people come to know God and understand the gospel?
7.⁠ ⁠Why does Jesus tell the disciples that they are blessed to see and hear what prophets and kings had longed to see?

Application
8.⁠ ⁠Where are you most tempted to base your joy or identity on success, recognition, ministry, work, family, or circumstances rather than on belonging to Christ?
9.⁠ ⁠What would it look like this week to live with greater joy and gratitude because your name is written in heaven?