Benjamin Murphy
Small Group Questions
Benjamin Murphy
Sermon Series Highlights
Sermon Series Highlights

When Life Seems Empty

Does Anything Matter?

Introduction:

Here are Three Things That Don't:
(Ecclesiastes 2:1-26)

  1. Pleasures Don't Matter. (Eccl 2:1-3)

    1 Kings 4:22-23 - Solomon's provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty pasture-fed cattle, a hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl.

  2. Projects Don't Matter. (Eccl 2:4-6)
  3. Possessions Don't Matter. (Eccl 2:7-23)

Does Anything Matter? Here is One Thing That Does:

  1. Pleasing God Matters. (Eccl 2:24-26)

    1 Timothy 6:17 - As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

Living Life from the Hand of God Results In:

  1. Being Thankful .
  2. Being Content .

    3. Philippians 4:11-13 - Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. Have you ever been disappointed in pleasures, projects, or possessions? Share a time you felt like Solomon in (Eccl 2:1-21).

  3. Thankfulness and contentment are the two signs of someone living life by the hand of God. Do you struggle with either thankfulness or contentment in this season of your life? How can you turn this around?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Is This It?

Introduction:

Two Big Problems with Life: (Ecclesiastes 1:1-18)

  1. Problem: Life is just an Endless Cycle. (Eccl 1:2-11)
  2. Bigger Problem: We're not Smart enough to find a Solution. (Eccl 1:12-18)

When you Know Jesus, these 2 things aren't a problem at all:

  1. Solomon said under the sun, life is just an endless cycle. Jesus said under the Son of God, you were made for eternity, and you have an eternal purpose in this life.

    Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

  2. Solomon said under the sun, we're not smart enough to find a solution. Jesus said under the Son of God, you discover that He is the solution.

    1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ (is) the power of God and the wisdom of God.

    John 10:27 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. What are some things people do (or get) that they think will bring fulfillment? Why don’t they work?

  3. Honesty time: have you ever felt like your life was a meaningless, endless cycle (Eccl 1:4-7)? Describe what made you feel this way.

  4. Explain what Solomon means by “under the sun / under heaven” (Eccl 1:3, 9, 13, 14)? Why is this such an important phrase to understanding Ecclesiastes?

Breakout
Pray for one another.