Seeker Track – Just Teach Sheet
December Week 3 (2025) – Gaudete Sunday
Theme: Advent & Preparation
Focus: Why Christians Rejoice Even While Waiting
Audience: Seekers, non-Catholics, returning Christians, thoughtful enquirers
Weekly Goal
To explain why Christianity speaks about joy in the middle of waiting, struggle, and an unfinished world.
Gaudete Sunday (“Rejoice!”) only makes sense if the Christian claim about Jesus is true:
that God has entered history, is present now, and will complete what He has begun.
What You’ll Need
This sheet
A Bible (or online Bible)
Willingness to think honestly about hope, suffering, and meaning
Quiet time for reflection
Opening Prayer (Optional)
God of truth,
if Christian joy is more than optimism,
help me understand it.
If it is rooted in something real,
help me see why.
Amen.
Day 1 – Why “Rejoice” Before the Story Is Finished?
Teaching
On Gaudete Sunday, Christians are told to rejoice — before Christmas arrives and before the world is fixed.
This sounds strange unless joy is grounded in something deeper than circumstances.
Philippians 4:4–5
“Rejoice in the Lord always… The Lord is near.”
Apologetic Insight
Christianity does not say, “Rejoice because life is easy.”
It says, “Rejoice because God is near.”
Joy flows from presence, not progress.
Reflection
What would it mean if God were truly near — even when life is incomplete?
Day 2 – Joy vs Happiness
Teaching
Happiness depends on things going well.
Joy, in Christianity, depends on relationship — being known, loved, and held by God.
John 15:11
“That My joy may be in you.”
Apologetic Insight
Modern culture promises happiness through comfort, success, or distraction — yet anxiety and dissatisfaction remain high.
Christianity claims joy comes from belonging, not achievement.
Reflection
What has promised happiness in your life but failed to deliver lasting peace?
Day 3 – Why Joy Can Exist with Suffering
Teaching
Christian joy does not deny suffering.
It insists suffering is not the final word.
Romans 8:18
“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed.”
Apologetic Insight
If the universe is random, suffering is meaningless.
If God entered suffering and overcame it, then suffering can be endured with hope.
Christian joy flows from resurrection, not denial.
Reflection
Which explanation of suffering — meaninglessness or hope — is more honest about human experience?
Day 4 – Why Christianity Links Joy with Repentance
Teaching
Christian joy is often paired with repentance because unacknowledged guilt drains joy.
Forgiveness restores it.
Psalm 51:12
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.”
Apologetic Insight
Modern culture avoids repentance, yet guilt persists.
Christianity names the problem and offers a cure: mercy.
Joy follows forgiveness because truth heals.
Reflection
Has avoiding responsibility ever brought lasting peace?
Day 5 – Joy Rooted in Hope
Teaching
Christian joy is anchored in hope — the conviction that history is moving somewhere good.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.”
Apologetic Insight
Christian hope is not wishful thinking.
It rests on the claim that Jesus rose from the dead — that death itself has been confronted and defeated.
If resurrection is real, joy is rational.
Reflection
If death were not the end, how would that change how you live?
Weekend Wrap-Up – What We Learned
Christianity commands joy before circumstances improve.
Joy is different from happiness; it flows from relationship, not success.
Suffering does not cancel joy if hope exists.
Repentance restores joy by healing guilt.
Christian joy is rooted in resurrection and the promise of completion.
Key Insight
Christian joy is not emotional denial — it is confidence that reality is held by God.
Journal Prompts
“What do I usually look to for happiness?”
“What kind of joy could survive disappointment?”
“If God were near, how would that change my outlook?”
Apologetic Quick Reference
| Objection | Christian Response |
| “Rejoicing while waiting is unrealistic.” | It is realistic if God is present within the waiting. |
| “Joy is just positive thinking.” | Christian joy flows from truth, not mindset. |
| “Religion avoids suffering.” | Christianity places suffering at the centre — the Cross. |
| “Why link joy and repentance?” | Because forgiveness restores peace where denial cannot. |
| “Isn’t this just emotional comfort?” | No — it rests on historical claims about Jesus. |
Sources & References
Philippians 4:4–5 – Joy and nearness
John 15:11 – Christ’s joy
Romans 8:18; 15:13 – Suffering, hope, and joy
CCC 1817–1821 – Hope
CCC 1832 – Joy as fruit of the Spirit
Further Reading
C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi
Bishop Robert Barron, Catholicism
Closing Prayer
God of hope,
if Christian joy is true and not an illusion,
help me to see why.
If You are near,
help me recognise Your presence
even in the waiting.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 