Over the weekend, we concluded our study of the book of Ecclesiastes, a book of the Bible that records Solomon’s quest for satisfaction. As we have seen, he searched for satisfaction everywhere and from everything that this world has to offer, and found that all of these things in this world were meaningless. Solomon brought the book of Ecclesiastes to a close with these words: “Fear God and obey His commandments.” In God alone, Solomon learned, ultimate joy and satisfaction are found.
If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
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1. Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Do you think Solomon’s conclusion on his search for satisfaction is what the world would have expected? Why or why not?
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
2. How did Solomon’s perspective shift as his quest for meaning and significance came to an end?
3. What is the result of obeying the two commands that Solomon gives in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14?
4. Read Revelation 20:11-15 and 1st Corinthians 3:10-15, two passages of Scripture that shed light on the judgment that Solomon talks about in Ecclesiastes 12:14. What do these passages of Scripture reveal about the decisions we make and the things we say and do each day?
Revelation 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
1st Corinthians 3:10-15
10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
1. Solomon discovered that fearing the Lord and obeying Him are some of the most important things we can do with our lives. Who is someone you know who models this well, and what can we learn from them?
2. Do you often think about the truth that each one of us will stand before God and give an account for how we lived? Why or why not?
3. How might focusing on this truth that we will stand before God one day and account for what we did with our lives impact your daily living?
What is one step of obedience you can take today to honor God by the way you live? It could be inviting someone to church with you this weekend who needs the hope of Christ, letting go of a sin you have been holding on to and repenting of it, or something else that God has been prompting you to do. Whatever that step is, share it with your group. Then, pray together. Ask God to give you all the courage and boldness to take these steps as you seek to obey God.
As Solomon concluded his thoughts on life and finding satisfaction, he instructed readers to fear God. When we think of the word “fear,” we automatically think of being scared or frightened. This is not the case when it comes to the fear of the Lord. For the next few moments, let’s turn to Scripture as well as look at a good dictionary definition of the word “fear” to understand better what it means to fear the Lord, why we need to fear the Lord, and what the result of fearing the Lord is.
As we discussed, fear does not always mean to be afraid or frightened. Having a deeper understanding of this word brings more depth to the command in Scripture to fear God. Take a look at a dictionary definition of the word fear and turn to Scripture for an example of what it looks like to fear the Lord in order to better understand this command that each one of us is called to obey in Ecclesiastes 12:13.
1. Read this definition of fear from Merriam-Webster’s dictionary: “profound reverence and awe especially toward God.” How does this definition add to your understanding of what it means to have fear, particularly to fear the Lord?
2. Read Psalm 33:8. How would you define the fear of the Lord after reading this verse, and how does this verse reflect the definition of fear that you read in the above question?
Psalm 33:8
Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.
3. What does it look like today for Christ followers to fear God, after reading both of these passages of Scripture?
Now that we have a better understanding of what it means to fear the Lord, it is time to ask, “Why do we need to have the fear of the Lord?” Understanding why we should fear the Lord will motivate us to maintain a healthy fear of the Lord throughout our daily lives. Turn to see what Scripture teaches about why the fear of the Lord is important for every Christ follower.
1. Read Jeremiah 10:6-7.
Jeremiah 10:6-7
Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. 7 Who would not fear you, O King of nations? That title belongs to you alone! Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms of the world, there is no one like you.
2. How does the prophet Jeremiah describe God in these verses, and how does this understanding of who God is lead to the fear of the Lord
3. How does responding to God with the fear of the Lord motivate us to live?
4. How does this passage of Scripture impact your understanding of what it means to fear the Lord?
As with any time we take steps of obedience, we reap the benefit when we obey the command in Scripture to fear God. Fearing God leads us on the path toward obedience and honoring God. Turn to Scripture to see what it says about what happens when we fear God.
1. Read Proverbs 14:27.
Proverbs 14:27
Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about God?
3. What is the result of fearing the Lord, based on this passage of Scripture?
4. How have you experienced the truth from this passage of Scripture in your own life?
For the next few moments, get alone and pray. As you pray, pray with the fear of the Lord. Express God’s greatness, holiness, and power. Confess any sin in your life to Him. Ask Him to help you as you seek to honor Him, the King of all kings who holds all power, by the way you live your life.
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