This week, we began a brand-new series on the book of Ecclesiastes. This book of the Bible was written by Solomon, a man known for his profound wisdom. Solomon began his reign as king of Israel well, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom as he led God’s people. Unfortunately, he became distracted and strayed from God as he began searching for satisfaction and meaning in the things of this earth. As he recounted his search for meaning and purpose in the temporary things of this earth, Solomon declared that he found himself empty and unsatisfied. Like it was for Solomon, this will be the result for all of us whenever we search for meaning in the things of this world that are fading away day-by-day. These things cannot satisfy us and will leave us empty every time. Only God can truly satisfy our hearts.
Where do you see people turning today in order to find fulfillment and satisfaction?
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1. Read 1st Kings 2:2-3, a passage of Scripture that reveals some of King David’s last words to his son Solomon. Do David’s words to Solomon about how to live surprise you? Why or why not?
1st Kings 2:2-3
“I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. 3 Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.
2. Read Ecclesiastes 1:2-8. How was Solomon’s search for meaning a stray from David’s instructions to him in 1st Kings 2:2-3, and what was the result of his search?
Ecclesiastes 1:2-8
“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” 3 What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. 6 The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. 7 Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. 8 Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.
3. Read Ecclesiastes 3:11. Based on this verse, where can the human heart find purpose and meaning?
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
4. How does this teaching from Ecclesiastes 3:11 impact where you will turn in your search for purpose and meaning?
1. How have you found the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:2-8 and 3:11 to be true of your own life?
2. What false places have you looked to for satisfaction, and what was the result?
3. Who is someone today who serves as an example for us to follow for how to live for eternity rather than this world?
4. Name some things that hold eternal value in your life that are worth investing in.
What is something in this world you are currently looking to in order to find satisfaction and fulfillment? Share that with your group, along with a step you can take this week to let it go. After everyone has shared, pray together. Ask God to help each one of you as you seek to live for His kingdom and the things that are eternal instead of this world.
As we read in Ecclesiastes 3:11, God “has planted eternity in the human heart.” Each one of us has an innate understanding that there is something more to life than what this world has to offer. When we live for Christ and for things that are eternal, we will find that we are fully satisfied in Him. For the next few moments, dive into Scripture to see what Scripture teaches about how to live for eternity while we are here on this earth.
Scripture teaches that living for God and His kingdom demands our obedience. After all, if we claim to follow Christ and be fully committed to Him, it stands to reason that we would naturally obey Him. We cannot fully follow Him if we do not obey Him.
1. Read James 1:22-25
James 1:22-25
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
2. Summarize the instruction given in this passage of Scripture.
3. What is the result of obedience, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. Why is obedience critical to living for eternity and being a fully devoted follower of Christ?
During His ministry on earth, Jesus taught that His followers could not live for the things that are eternal while also living for things of this earth. Indeed, being fully devoted to Him and the things of this world is incompatible. If we want to be fully devoted followers of Christ, our calling is to love God above everything else.
1. Read Mark 12:28-31.
Mark 12:28-31
One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
2. How do these two commandments quoted by Jesus summarize the entire law?
3. Summarize the most important commandment, according to Jesus.
4. Why is loving God over anything critical to living for eternity and being a fully devoted follower of Christ?
After teaching about the importance of loving God with everything, Jesus explained in Mark 11 that loving others is also critical in honoring Him and living for the things of eternity. Make no mistake, the way we interact with and love those around us is critical. After all, when we love people well, we point them to Christ, the one who loves them so much that He gave His life on the cross to rescue them from sin and death.
1. Read Romans 12:9-13.
Romans 12:9-13
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
2. How do we “really” love others, according to Paul in this passage of Scripture?
3. What people has God placed in your life to love well?
4. Why is loving others well critical to living for eternity and being a fully devoted follower of Christ?
After studying Scripture, what is one step you can take to grow when it comes to living for eternity and being a fully devoted follower of Christ? Maybe that step looks like taking a step of obedience, committing yourself to love God over anything else, or choosing to really, deeply love the people around you. Whatever that looks like, share it with your group. End your time praying together. Ask God to help you all as you seek to live for eternity and be fully devoted followers of Christ.
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