Primer Guide 3: Joy
Review the Practice so far (10 min)
In reflecting on the roles we talked through last week, let’s finalize and make sure everyone feels confident in their part. Consider the following questions together:
Does everyone have a role?
Are you feeling excited or overwhelmed by your role? (Ask each person)
Are there any other roles that would be helpful for our group? If so, would anyone like to volunteer to take on that task?
Facilitator Note: Set a timer for 10 minutes. When the timer is up, move on to the next section.
Read this Overview (5 min)
Our mission as a church is to Practice the Way of Jesus, together, in Portland. And we pursue that mission by orienting our lives around being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. Bridgetown Communities are where that mission is most tangibly lived out. Designed to be furnaces of formation, Bridgetown Communities are the primary way we live into God’s transformational desire for us as a church. Part of transformation is learning that God’s idea of a flourishing person, is one who delights and has fun. Our goal for this week is just that, to play together and remember the goodness of God that comes from simply having fun.
Author, Theologian and Priest Henri Nouwen writes that “Celebration is really an expression of gratitude” and that “the more we celebrate, the more we realize that we are in communion… To celebrate is to create community.”
Playing together is not a break from our spiritual life, it is part of it. Scripture shows us that God values joy, shared life, and embodied community.
God designed us for joy and delight.
“There is a time to laugh… and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Joy is not optional in the life of faith; it is a gift God invites us to receive together.Jesus shared everyday, joyful moments with others.
Jesus was often found at meals, celebrations, and gatherings (Luke 5:29; John 2:1–11). He didn’t only teach from a distance, He built relationships through presence, laughter, and shared experiences.The early church practiced togetherness beyond formal worship.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship… breaking bread in their homes and eating together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:42, 46). Community was formed through time spent together, not just study.Play helps us become like Jesus by forming humility, joy, and connection.
Jesus welcomed children and lifted up childlike trust and openness (Matthew 18:2–4). When we play, we practice laying down performance, embracing joy, and relating to one another simply as people loved by God.
When we play together, we practice presence, strengthen relationships, and create space for joy to shape us. Tonight’s games aren’t just about fun, they’re about practicing the way of Jesus together.
Exercise for tonight (25 min)
With that, let's play! Here are some simple ideas we can start with––let’s choose whatever game sounds most fun to us.
1. Two Truths and a Lie
Each person shares 3 statements about themselves; the group guesses the lie.
Why it works: storytelling + laughter + learning about each other.
2. Would You Rather (Community Edition)
Use fun or light faith/life questions:
Would you rather host or attend?
Early bird or night owl?
Mountains or coast?
Tip: Let people explain their answers.Read aloud or Pray in small groups
Text or Phone call
Drive or Bike
Coffee or Tea
3. Charades or Pictionary (Simple Categories)
Use categories like:
Movies
Animals
Everyday actions
Split into 2–3 teams of 4.
4. Common Thread
Break into groups of 3–4. Each group must find 3 things everyone has in common (no obvious stuff like “we’re human”). Share back.
Exercise for the week ahead (3 min)
Now that we have roles assigned, and have had a night of get to know you fun - we’re going to look ahead to the exercise for the week ahead.
Over the next week take some time to reflect on these three things:
Give thanks for the gift of Community, fun, and each person in your group. Send a text to someone brought you joy tonight.
Spend time praying this week that your heart would stay open to gratitude and connection, and that as a group we would carry this spirit of joy as we journey with Jesus.
