About Joy of Living
- The aim of Joy of Living… more information
- Statement of purpose… more information
- How to use Joy of Living materials… more information
- Why do the Daily Study Questions come before the Commentary on a Bible passage?… more information
- Doctrinal statement … more information
For over 35 years Joy of Living has been effectively establishing individuals around the world in the sound, basic study of God's Word.
Evangelical and interdenominational, Joy of Living reaches across denominational and cultural barriers, enriching lives through the simple, pure truths of God's inspired Word, the Bible.
Studies are flexible, suited for both formal and informal meetings, as well as for personal study. Each lesson contains historical background, commentary and a week's worth of personal application questions, leading readers to discover fresh insights into God's Word. Courses covering many books in both the Old and New Testaments are available. Selected courses are also available in several foreign languages.
Joy of Living Bible Studies was founded by Doris W. Greig in 1971 and has grown to include classes in nearly every state in the Union and many foreign countries.
To help people enter into a joyous relationship with God as they come to know His Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3)
To enrich lives by sharing the truths in God’s inspired Word, the Bible.
- “For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.” 1 Corinthians 1:5
To help believers discover the fulfillment and joy that comes from daily, disciplined Bible study and personal, devotional time with the Lord.
To help believers apply the teachings of Scripture to their own lives, in order to live in a way that pleases God.
To build confidence and enthusiasm in believers for sharing with others the Christian faith and the abundant life in Christ.
To provide Bible study materials, at a reasonable cost, to those desiring to study God’s Word, and to those desiring to teach the truth in God’s Word to others.
Joy of Living Bible Studies is an evangelical, interdenominational, nonprofit organization, dedicated to increasing the study and teaching of God's Word.
All money not used for printing and office costs is used to develop new Bible study courses and to provide materials free of charge to prisoners and others unable to pay for them. Your contributions are tax deductible.
How to make a donation to Joy of Living
The Joy of Living office is here to serve you and to provide the materials you need. There are no rules regarding who may begin a Joy of Living class.
Any person may order any quantity of our studies.
We look forward to hearing from you!
How To Use Joy of Living Materials
This unique Bible study series may be used by people who know nothing about the Bible, as well as by more knowledgeable Christians. Each person is nurtured and discipled in God’s Word, and many develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as they study.
Joy of Living is based on the idea that each person needs to open the Bible and let God speak to them by His Holy Spirit, applying the Scripture’s message to their needs and opportunities, their family, church, job, community, and the world at large.
Only a Bible is needed for this study series. While commentaries may be helpful, it is not recommended that people consult them as they work through the daily study questions. It is most important to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them through the Bible passage and apply it to their hearts and lives. If desired, additional commentaries may be consulted after answering the questions on a particular passage.
The first lesson of a series includes an introduction to the Bible book, plus the first week's daily study questions. Some questions are simple, and some are deeper for those who are more advanced. The individual works through the Bible passages each day, praying and asking God’s guidance in applying the truth to their own life. (The next lesson will contain the commentary on the Bible passage being covered in the study questions.)
To Use In A Group Setting:
After the daily personal study of the passage has been completed, the class gathers in a small group, where they pray together and discuss what they have written in response to the questions about the passage, clarifying problem areas and getting more insight into the passage. The small group/discussion leader helps the group focus on Biblical truth, and not just on personal problems. The student is the only person who sees their own answers and shares only what they feel comfortable sharing.
After small groups meet for discussion and prayer, they often gather in a large group meeting where a teacher gives a brief lecture covering the essential teaching of the Bible passage which was studied during the prior week and discussed in the small groups. The teacher may clarify the passage and challenge class members to live a more committed daily life.
At home, the student begins the next lesson, containing commentary notes on the prior week's passage and questions on a new Scripture passage.
Why do the Daily Study Questions come before the Commentary on a Bible passage?
In Joy of Living studies, the daily study questions on a Bible passage come before the commentary on that same passage. You may find this confusing if you are used to other studies where you first read a commentary and then answer questions on it!
The purpose is to have the student get into the Bible passage on their own, with the help of the Holy Spirit, before hearing what others have to say about it.
Here is an example of how it works in a class studying Genesis:
First class day: Student receives the spiral-bound study on Genesis. Discussion group time today is for getting aquainted, going over information about class. Lecture (optional) covers the Introduction to Genesis.
The 6 days following the first class day: Student reads the Commentary in Lesson 1 (Introduction to Genesis) and answers the Questions in Lesson 1 (covering Genesis chapter 1).
Second class day: Student goes to discussion group, which discusses the Questions from Lesson 1 (covering Genesis chapter 1). Student then goes to the optional lecture covering Genesis chapter 1.
The 6 days following the second class day: Student reads the Commentary in Lesson 2 (covering Genesis chapter 1) and answers the Questions in Lesson 2 (covering Genesis chapter 2).
Third class day: Student goes to discussion group, which discusses the Questions from Lesson 2 (covering Genesis chapter 2). Student then goes to the optional lecture covering Genesis chapter 2.
If you still have any questions, please call us at 800-999-2703 or contact us by email.
Joy of Living Bible Studies cooperates with Christians of many denominations, standing firmly within the historic evangelical Christian faith.
We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We are Christ-centered, believing in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His approaching personal return in power and glory.
We believe in salvation by grace through faith.
We recognize the Bible as the inspired, infallible Word of God and the authority for what we believe and how we live.
We desire to manifest the love of God, blending the teaching of personal salvation and the imperative of acting in Christ-like compassion toward the hurting people in our communities and the world.
We believe in the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for the salvation of lost and sinful man; and in the present ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables each believer to live a godly life.
We believe in the spiritual oneness of all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe in the resurrection of all people—they that are lost unto damnation, and they that are saved unto eternal life.
Persons of all denominations and creeds are welcome to use our materials for studying God's Word of Life, the Bible.
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