Ecclesiastes - Meaningless to Meaningful

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) 

Ecclesiastes 2:1-6; 3:11

1)Why do we desire or hunger in the first place? Who puts the hunger that we have into our hearts and why do you believe that it's there? 

2)What are the specific things in the name of hope, joy that he pursued 

3.) How do we move from meaningless to meaningful in our lives

4.)Our hearts and souls are hardwired for eternity and to endure. The Word of God doesn't say we are hardwired for death or fear in our eternity. Ponder about a time when you had your hardwires mixed up and you allowed fear or death to control your thoughts about eternity. How or what did you do to refocus your hardwiring back to eternity and endurance in God?

5.) Who is the creator of your pleasure, projects, and possessions? In what ways have pleasure, projects, and possessions dominated your life and become vanity?  

Recall examples that your pleasure, projects, and possessions have been submitted to God. What came from your submission of these items?

Constant pleasure-seeking leads to boredom in life. Oftentimes is not enjoyable because things disappear and are temporary. This boredom tries to control your pursuits and you start looking at the neighbors' goods and comparison steals your joy. Discuss how or in what ways does constant pleasure-seeking become damaging? How have you experienced this in your own context?

Does your joy hinge on the success of your last meeting or on the next best thing? How can we combat those outlooks?

Pay attention to your desires and disappointments. How does GOD leads us back from life's disappointment to His Godly appointments that change everything? 

All the pleasures are from the LORD and you truly can't be pleasurable outside of Him. Ponder ways to find more pleasure in the Lord and not in the world

Are you willing to let go of the goods of this world to grasp the God and creator of all goods? Discuss what that looks like in your personal context.

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.