Grow Group Questions – May 22, 2022
Ecclesiastes Part 3
Announcement:
- Has your group created a plan for how you will meet this Summer? Let people know to look for a short survey they will get to fill out to help the church prepare for Grow Groups this fall.
Ice Breaker(If needed):
- What was your favorite period of time in your life, and why?
- What has been your most impactful/favorite part of Ecclesiastes so far? Why?
Sermon Discussion (Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11):
Key Statement/Question: Either time IS our God or time is FOR our God.
- Read Ecclesiastes 9:1-3, 2:15-17, and 7:4.
- Why is it so difficult for us to discuss death?
- Does discussing death push you more toward depression or toward motivation to live for God’s Glory? Does it diminish your life or fuel your life? Why?
- How does seeing death help us see the time and life we have under the sun better
- Read Ecclesiastes 11:9. How would you summarize the point of this verse in your own words?
- Is The Preacher telling us we can do anything we want? Why or why not?
- What does it mean that “God will bring you into judgment”? Why does that matter? How should that affect how we spend our time, or what decisions we make about how to live our lives?
- Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.
- How do these verses give us a complete picture of what Ecclesiastes is wanting us to see?
- What do you think it means that “he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.”?
- What things in your life do you think might be “burned away” at the end of your life? Why?
- Pastor David said: “Look at what gets most of your time, that will tell you what you treasure the most”. Look at your time. How would it reflect how much you treasure living for the kingdom of God or not?
Going Deeper/Application:
- Read Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, and 1 Corinthians 10:31. What is the difference between doing whatever we want in life and maybe just saying “for God’s Glory” or intentionally listening and obeying God for God’s Glory? How do we know the difference?
- Why does the difference matter?
- What are some examples of this from your life?
- Pastor David shared that he sees many Christians who believe God doesn’t care what decisions they make as long as it isn’t sinning. Do you agree or disagree?
- To what degree do you think God cares about how you spend each moment of your day, as long as you aren’t sinning? Why or why not?
- Do you think that God cares about the “big decisions” in your life (job, who you marry, where you live) if you aren’t doing something that’s obviously sinful? (For example, can I marry anyone as long as they are a God-Fearing Christian? Can I take any job that I want, as long as it doesn’t force me to do something immoral?)
- Read Romans 14:23, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs . How does this challenge or support what you think?
Final Challenge:
Coming Back to The Key Statement: Either time IS our God or time is FOR our God.
- All of us can be stingy with time thinking it is ours to spend however we like. How have you been challenged in how you will seek God to lead you for how you spend your time? How will that impact tomorrow as you seek to listen and obey God for His glory?
Prayer Time:
This week let’s pray for our current staff (These are just suggestions please feel free to pray as the Spirit leads)
- Rest and rejuvenation in the midst of added responsibilities and stress
- A willingness to for ask for help when needed and an increase in mutual support and encouragement within the team
- An increase of love for the church an the people