1. Review:   Phil gave us a number of suggestions last week for both Remembering what's true about God (consider 2 minutes of quiet before the Lord, reading Ps. 103, or praying the Lord's Prayer), and Reminding each other of what's true about God and ourselves.  How are you doing at these?  Which one is a tougher challenge for you? 

2. Take a moment in prayer, welcoming the Spirit's presence. Then read: Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 looking for words or phrases that stand out to you.

3. As we wrap up our look at Ecclesiastes, what is one thing you've learned that has stuck with you?  (If you were at worship Sunday, consider sharing one of the takeaways you wrote on your card.)

4. If you treat life "under the sun" as all there is, all you'll find is emptiness, mist, vapor … hevel.  How do you (or can you) remind yourself to look beyond life "under the sun"? (Perhaps refer back to question #1)

5. Phil said that the Preacher was not just in a bad mood, or trying to be a downer, in this book, but was crafting something intentional (see 12:10-12).  What do you think the Preacher's One Big Idea was in writing Ecclesiastes? ​​

6. Phil also mentioned the sayings of the Lord as a kind of "goad" for us (v. 11).  Do you remember what a goad is?  Discuss examples of how Scripture passages have worked as goads in your life.

7. The Preacher also mentions sayings of the Lord that serve as "nails firmly fixed."  Are there truths Jesus has taught you about God or about yourself that keep you "firmly fixed"?

8. Proverbs tells us that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."  The Preacher says in v. 13 that wisdom is "the end of the matter."  Are you encouraged or burdened by the statement that everything boils down to "fear God and keep His commandments"?

9.  Does it help you answer question #7 if you remind yourself that obeying God is much more than just being a "good little boy or girl," as Phil said?  Discuss how John 6:28-29 can encourage us in this.

​

week 5 Lent Reflection

(by Jean Holt)

This past Sunday, Lin gave testimony to how God has met her in some of her darkest times. The fifth Sunday of Lent focuses on the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead (John 11:1-45).  This is the passage where we read that "Jesus wept" when he saw how Lazarus' friends and family grieved over his death (v. 35).  Mary and Martha both say the same thing:  "If only you had been here…."  The story tells us that they had faith in Jesus, and they believed in the resurrection, but they couldn't understand why Jesus had not come sooner to heal their brother.  Don't we all have moments like this in our faith journeys, where we don't understand why God has not healed us or changed our circumstances, where we find ourselves tempted to despair?

CONSIDER:  Take a moment and bring that despair, confusion, or doubt to God in prayer.  God wants us to bring all that is in us to Him, not just what we think ought to be there.  It can be difficult, but allow yourself to be really honest with God, and consider bringing someone else with you into this time.  Your despair and confusion can turn into hope–just as it was for Mary and Martha (and even Lazarus)!