Part 4: En-Theos Think About It The word enthusiasm is derived from the Greek words, en and theos, with theos being the Greek word for God. So "enthusiasm" literally means, in its root concept, "full of God." Maybe that’s why enthusiastic people are often joyful!

When facing hard times, remember that God will help you maintain enthusiasm. He will help you overcome all difficulties, all tragedies, all sorrows, all heartaches; He will give you victory. In 2 Corinthians 2:14 we read, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” Triumphant people are enthusiastic people! As you surrender your life to Jesus Christ and follow Him, you will have enthusiasm. He will keep it going for you so that you can overcome your defeats, and make a difference in the lives of others.

Discussion Starter • The Bible uses several different words for the idea of being filled with enthusiasm, such as, zeal, and whole-heartedness. Are there any other words that you could use to describe enthusiasm?

Further Exploration 1. When you are eager, you are enthusiastic about your service to God and others. This idea is taught again and again in the New Testament. We are told to: • Be “eager to serve” (1 Peter 5:2) • Be “eager for the gifts of the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:12) • Have an “eager willingness” to finish the work of faith we’ve begun (2 Corinthians 8:11) • Wait in “eager expectation” for God (Romans 8:9) • Be “eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14) Which scripture would you focus on most in the next week and why?

2. When have you been filled with enthusiasm the most?

3. How often do you let your enthusiasm influence your environment?

4. Have you ever experienced apathy? How did that counteract against your enthusiasm?

5. What happens to our relationships with God and others when we lack enthusiasm?

Moving Forward If you are constantly in the company of negative people, you will take on a negative aspect of mind; your mental, emotional, and even physical reactions to people and events will be negative. This is why you have to practice enthusiasm. You do that by thinking it, by believing it, by praying it, by talking it, until enthusiasm becomes part of your natural response. Spend more time with people who you know are positive. Get rid of anything that would lead you towards the road of fear, apathy, and laziness. Remember—and be grateful for—how good God has been to you in the past, how good He is being to you now, and how good He will be in the future. Out of gratitude will come the desire to please God, and the desire to please will synergistically combine with the passion to produce the love of His call to fuel our eagerness and passion.

Pray Lord, Thank You for showing us how to be positive and enthusiastic in an ever increasingly negative world. Thank You for Your Truth in Your Word that keeps us encouraged. With your Word we can share our enthusiasm with others who need to be encouraged and gain some enthusiasm themselves. When difficult times come, help us to continue to trust You, to continue to walk with You, and to continue to worship You in Spirit and in truth. Thank You, In Jesus’ Name, Amen. .