Eccelsiastes 11-12 "Room for Good Things to Run Wild" Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

 

 

 

                                            Sermon Discussion Questions

 

 1) After reading over this section, what does the author want the readers to rejoice, remove and remember?

 

2) What does this passage say about wisdom?

 

3) As believers, because of the work of Christ,  we can live boldly and serve boldly. What does this look like in our daily lives? What does it mean for our generosity/giving/loving to be risky?

 

4) Sermon quote: "Being in Christ, we have absolute freedom to do what God wants not what we want. Your life is a gift to you."  How does this truth manifest in our lives holistically? (In every aspect of our lives: emotionally, spiritually and physically) 

 

5) How does this passage address our enjoying what we have in life and serving the Lord?

 

6) Bulletin quote: "The more I considered Christianity the more I found that while it had established a rule and order, the chief aim of that order was to give room for good things to run wild." (G.K. Chesterton) How does this encourage you?

 

 

Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 "Living Dogs or Dead Lions" Rev Ryan Laughlin

 

 

 

                                                       Sermon Discussion Questions

 

     1) After reading over this passage, what would you say is the main theme? What is the author wanting to convey?

 

     2) Sermon quote: "Is life a futile mess or can we enjoy it?" Does it seem like this passage suggests both are true? How can we wrestle with this tension?

 

     3) Look over Acts 2 and Psalm 16. What is the hope that we have facing death?

 

    4) What does Revelation 1:17 say about God? How does this truth impact our lives?

                                                                     

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, 22-26 "Isn't This World Enough?" Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

 

                                            Sermon Discussion Questions

 

 

  1) What things does this passage put in the "vanity" category? 

 

  2) Sermon quote: " The more you choose to run after pleasure, the more you can't find it." Can you explain this in your own words? Can you think of times in your life this has been true?

 

 3)  How are verses 22-26 different from the beginning of this chapter? What do you think the "the Preacher" is wanting his readers to gain?

 

4) Bulletin quote: "Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world." (C.S. Lewis) What is Lewis trying to convey here?

 

5) What were you reminded about God in this passage? How does the truth that all good things come from Him change the way you view the meaning of life? 

Ecclesiastes 1:1-14 "Traffic-Jam Theology" Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

                                                           Sermon Discussion Questions:

 

 1) After reading this section again, what do you see as one of the main themes? 

 2) How do we have wisdom for when things don't go the way we expect?

 3) Sermon quote: "Because our theology is so rooted in God's sovereignty, sometimes we think we need the right answer in a crisis, which could mean down-playing our emotions." Have you experienced this type of response to a crisis in your own life? How does Ecclesiastes give us language to face hardships?

 

4) When we search for the meaning of what we may be going through, does our search include Jesus? What does this look like in our lives?

 

5) Sermon quote: "Just because we can't make sense of our life doesn't mean it is meaningless. Stop looking for meaning, where we will not find it." Where are some other places, people and things that we seek meaning for our lives besides Jesus? Can you share some examples with the group?

 

6) Does being wise mean knowing everything? How does knowing Jesus inform our view of wisdom?

 

 

 

 

Our experience, Our Guide, Our Search 

"Wisdom at Work" Proverbs: Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

 

 

                                            Sermon Discussion Questions

 

 1) Read over Proverbs 11:1, 16:11 and 22:29. How does Proverbs help us have wisdom in our work place?

 

 2) What are some main themes you see in Proverbs 31:10-31? What should our approach to work be as believers?

 

 3) What does our culture value in work? Or how does the culture say we gain our value? 

 

 4) Sermon quote: "Work is the chief place where we love our neighbor as our self." (Dan Doriani excerpt from his book Work) How does this quote impact your view of work? What is encouraging about this?

 

 5) Are you tempted to separate work into categories like sacred and secular? How could this separation hinder your understanding of work? How can it hinder how we treat our neighbors?

 

 6) Sermon quote: "The world says you matter because of your work. But the truth is, you matter, because Jesus did all the work for you.  So when you go to work, you have nothing to prove. . We are able to face the work with joy and wisdom and without fear and dread."  Is this encouraging to you? Why is this truth so difficult to grasp?

Proverbs: The Power of Words (Proverbs 15:4, 18:21, 10:21, 12:18, 25:11) Rev. Chris Smith

 

 

 

                                            Sermon Discussion Questions

 

 

   1) What do these verses say about our words being harmful?

 

   2) Can you remember a time when someone spoke harmful words to you? How did that break your spirit?

  

   3) What do these verses say about our words being healing to others? 

 

   4) Can you recall a time when someone spoke words of truth and encouragement to you? How did it help you?

 

   5) What happens when God speaks? (Genesis 1)

 

   6) Can you think of other sections of Scripture that emphasize the weightiness our words have to others?

 

   7)  What does God say to us (believers) about our salvation in Christ? Do we believe we can take those "words to the bank"?

"A Word to the Wise"

 

 

 

                                                    

                  Sermon Discussion Questions

 

 1) What is the purpose of Proverbs? 

 

 2) What do these verses tell us about wisdom? How is it described?

 3) Bulletin quote: "Wisdom is for the humbly eager--one might almost say, for the lover, the suitor...It is not for the man wise in his own eyes: He thinks he has arrived--and indeed he has, for he will never get a step further. His trouble is not intellectual...It is that he does not seriously want to be a better person; whereas the wise man is teachable to the end, open to God's commands, and chastening, and to human advice and criticism; for he values truth enough to pay the price of having it." (Derek Kidner) What is encouraging/difficult about this quote?

4) Read over Proverbs 1:7, 3:7, 4:5-7, 9:10, 11:2, 16:16. What do these verses say about wisdom? What do they say about the fear of the Lord?

  Reflection: Do we live our lives as if God has wisdom for us? or that we believe He knows better than we do about our lives? How can we grow in this area?