What is God Doing?

Introduction:

3 Things I Know for Certain that Allow Me to Enjoy Life:
(Ecclesiastes 8:16-9:10)

1. I can't know Everything God is doing. (Eccl 8:16-9:1)

   Deuteronomy 29:29 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

2. I only get One shot at life on earth. (Eccl 9:2-6)

   Romans 5:12 - Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned...

3. I have God's Approval . (Eccl 9:7-10)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 8:16-9:10

Icebreaker
Share something that you think you should know more about as an adult, but don’t.

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

2. Is there anything about God / the Bible that bothers you to the point where you struggle to believe? Is Deuteronomy 29:29 helpful to you? Why or why not?
   

3. What does it mean to have God’s approval (Eccl 9:7)? Why do so many Christians struggle with believing God approves them?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Can I Trust the Government?

Introduction:

How to Be OK with the Government:
(Ecclesiastes 8:2-15)

1. Change your Theology . (Eccl 8:2-7)

Basic Theology of Government:

1. Government is Established by God.

   Romans 13:1 - Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

2. Government is established by God to Deter Sin .
3. Proper submission to authority is an act of Faith .

   Proverbs 21:1 - The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

   Matthew 10:16 - Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

2. Change your Perspective . (Eccl 8:8)
3. Change your Expectations . (Eccl 8:9-14)
4. Change your Focus . (Eccl 8:15)

   Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder...

   Isaiah 9:7 - Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 8:2-15

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

2. Has this passage / message changed the way you view the government? If so, how?
   

3. How consumed do you get into politics? Are you too concerned, or are you “checked out”?
   

4. To what degree do you believe Christians should get involved in political matters?

Breakout
Pray for one another. (I hope this discussion didn’t blow up your Small Group!)

Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World

Introduction:

How Can I Live a Balanced Life:
(Ecclesiastes 7:15-8:1)

1. By choosing to be Godly Instead of Unrighteous and Self-Righteous . (Eccl 7:15-20)

In God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurably superior to yourself. Unless you know God as that - and, therefore, know yourself as nothing in comparison - you do not know God at all. As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.

- C.S. Lewis

2. By choosing to be Wise Instead of Arrogant and Foolish . (Eccl 7:21-29)

3. By choosing to Stand Out Instead of Blend In . (Eccl 8:1)

   Isaiah 5:20 - "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 7:15-8:1

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

2. How can you see yourself being a bit self-righteous at times? How should you deal with this temptation/attitude when it arises?
   

3. What is wisdom and why is it so important? What did Taylor mean when he said that we need to admit our own limitations as well as the limitations of wisdom?
   

4. How is the Lord calling you to stand out from the crowd and shine the light of wisdom right now? (Ecc. 8:1)

Breakout
Pray for one another.

How Can Adversity Be Good

Introduction:

5 Fantastic Things You Only Get from Adversity:
(Ecclesiastes 7:1-14)

1. Perspective . (Eccl 7:1-4)
2. Maturity . (Eccl 7:5-6)
3. Patience . (Eccl 7:7-9)

4. Wisdom . (Eccl 7:10-12)

   Numbers 11:4-6 - Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, "Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at."

5. Reliance . (Eccl 7:13-14)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

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

2. Why is attending a funeral more beneficial than attending a party? Has a death of a loved one ever brought you to self-evaluation?
   

3. How well do you handle a rebuke? How do you typically respond?
   

4. Are you apt to rebuke a brother or sister in Christ when you see that they are out of line? How do you go about that, or do you try to avoid / ignore it?
   

5. Tell of how the Lord has used, or is using, adversity in your life. How have you grown?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

How Can Prosperity Be Bad?

Introduction:

Money Won't Make You Happy:
(Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12)

1. More money brings more Problems . (Eccl 5:10-17)
   1. More money = more Dissatisfaction . (Eccl 5:10)
   2. More money = more Moochers . (Eccl 5:11a)

3. More money = more Disappointment . (Eccl 5:11b)
4. More money = more to Worry about. (Eccl 5:12)
5. More money = more Hurting . (Eccl 5:13-14)
6. More money = more to Leave behind . (Eccl 5:15-17)

2. Unless God gives you Power to enjoy it. (Eccl 5:18-6:9)
3. Because God Said so . (Eccl 6:10-12)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12

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

2. Why do you think people look to money for happiness, despite the fact that the Bible and history both say that this has never happened?
   

3. Have you ever seen someone hurt themselves in the pursuit of more, or when they got more (no names!)? Do you have a personal experience in this?

Breakout
Pray for one another to go after healthy relationships.