Ecclesiastes - Conclusion = Beautiful

Follow Along with the Message

1. Doing Life

As a church family, we care about each other’s lives: what we’re celebrating, what we’re mourning, what decisions we are praying through, and everything in between 

(1 Thessalonians 2:8, Romans 12:10, 15). Suggested time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing? 
• What can you thank God for this week?
• When were you most aware of Jesus’ presence this week? When were you least aware of Jesus’ presence this week?
• Do you have any practical needs?

2. Jesus Centered

God uses His Word to reveal Himself to us, equip us to live the good life He’s designed for us, show us our sin, and strengthen us as we follow Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:9-12, and James 1:22-25). Suggested Time: 20-40 minutes 

(Sermon Discussion Questions)

Key Scripture:  Ecclesiastes 8: 1-17

As we conclude the book of Ecclesiastes, take a moment to reflect. Are you thinking like Solomon? Are you examining your life? Do you examine and consider your own thoughts? What are some disciplines that you put in place to aid in that?

God yearns for us to know the delight of life which is found through living in obedience to Him and His Word and the commands that He gives us. Psalm 51:6 says “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Why do you think God gives us these commands found in His Word? How does being obedient to those parameters provide delight in life?

Ecclesiastes 11:1 says “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” God is our provider. Have you experienced a time when you stepped out in faith yet felt unsure of the results? How did God provide for you in that moment?

Isaiah 55:9 says: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”‬‬ Sometimes walking with God requires pain as he goads us on the right path. Consider a time when you felt the prodding of the Holy Spirit to correct your course. Did you recognize the prodding? If so, how did listening to the Spirit potentially change the course for you? Did you possibly not follow the prodding of the Spirit? If not, how did that circumstance potentially go differently as a result?

Galatians 4:6 says “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Have you invited the Holy Spirit into your heart to remove any potential religiosity and to pull you deeper into a faith-based walk with the Lord, obeying the Word of God as an heir to the Kingdom of Heaven?

Solomon concludes Ecclesiastes with this simple statement “Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). As you reflect on the book of Ecclesiastes, what are your thoughts on the book in its entirety? Do you feel a sense of hopelessness that all of our toil under the sun is meaningless? Do you find hope in the concluding versus knowing that nothing will be kept hidden from God’s judgment?

3. Engaging the Heart

Jesus calls us to walk in the light, confessing our sins to God and each other. God’s Spirit works through confession and community to lead us to repentance. (Romans 3:23-24, James 5:16 and 1 John 1:5-10) Suggested Time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing abiding with Jesus this week in Scripture and prayer? 
• What sin do you need to confess to God? What are you struggling to trust Jesus with this week? How can you give Him control of it? (As people confess sin, make sure to remind one another of the good news Jesus offers.)

4. Expanding the Kingdom

Just like God the Father sent Jesus on a mission of reconciliation for us, Jesus sends us out as ambassadors of His reconciliation. We are called to make disciples wherever we go. (John 20:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20) Suggested time: 10-20 minutes

• People: Who in your life can you be building with right now? What does that look like during this season? 
• Plan: Are there any rhythms planned (virtual or in-person) that we can invite these friends into? What spiritual conversations do you want to initiate with them soon? 
• Pray: Let’s pray for our people by name; pray for their needs, opportunities to connect, and opportunities to have spiritual conversations that help them take next steps toward Jesus.