The Tapestry of Life

THE TEXT: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15.(MULTILINE)

Real life happens – and it’s not all good

Wisdom Literature in the Bible = How to Flourish

• And the Key is…

| Proverbs 1:7, 9-10 | Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 |

• • The of the .(MULTILINE)
  • The of God.(MULTILINE)
  • in relationship – in God’s Word.(MULTILINE)

• God is over my life.

| Ecclesiastes 3:1, 14-15 |(MULTILINE)

• I Am .

| Ecclesiastes 3:11 |(MULTILINE)

• Every Aspect of  My Life presents a .

| Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 |

• SO…

| Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 |

• • life.(MULTILINE)
  • it as God’s Gift.(MULTILINE)
  • God in the “times.”(MULTILINE)

| Isaiah 41:10 | Isaiah 25:1 | Romans 8:28 | Job 1:21, 2:10, 42:2 | Psalm 42:1 | Hebrews 13:5 |

| Romans 5:3-5 | James 1:2-4 | 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 | Psalm 115:3 | Romans 11:33 |

Small Group Questions

What do you think? 

Have someone re-read the fill-ins from Sunday’s message to refresh our memories. From Sunday’s service, what stood out to you, raised a question for you, or got you to think?(MULTILINE)

The Story of Your Life.

1. On Sunday, we read through Ecclesiastes 3. It describes all the different times and seasons we go through as people and as believers. What do you feel has been one of the best seasons of your life?(MULTILINE)
2. Discuss the following quote: “Time is significant because it is so rare. It is completely irretrievable. You can never repeat it or relive it. There is no such thing as a literal instant replay. That appears only on film. It travels alongside us every day, yet it has eternity wrapped up in it. Although this is true, time often seems relative, doesn’t it? For example, two weeks on vacation is not at all like two weeks on a diet. Also, some people can stay longer in an hour than others can in a week! Ben Franklin said of time, ‘… that is the stuff life is made of.’ Time forms life’s building blocks. The philosopher William James once said, ‘The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.’” — Lloyd Cory.(MULTILINE)

Digging Deeper in God’s Word.

1. It is natural for people to take an accounting of their lives as they near the end. Joshua, one of the great Old Testament heroes of the faith, did this publicly so God’s people could also reflect on the Lord’s work in their generation. Read Joshua 23:1-16 along with Joshua 24:12-15 and respond to the following prompts and questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the story using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does Joshua’s end of life reflection tell us about God, people and ourselves?(MULTILINE)
2. There are many stories in the Gospels of the events leading up to the Lord Jesus’ death. Jesus was very clear about what was going to happen even though the disciples did not really understand it until after. Matthew 26:1-13 highlights a story of a woman who grasped what it meant to tangibly treasure Jesus in their lifetime. Read it together and respond to the following prompts and questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the story using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this story teach us about God? People and ourselves?(MULTILINE)
3. As the Apostle Paul knew his time on earth was coming to an end, he wrote letters from prison and invested in young Pastor Timothy. Read 2 Timothy 4:1-8.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the story using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this story teach us about God? The type of life God wants us to pursue? People and ourselves?(MULTILINE)
   3. Just like a budget, how we spend our time reveals our priorities. What would your “time budget” say you value most? Are there any divine time budget shifts you need to make as a result?(MULTILINE)

Personal Reflection and Application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else said in this discussion that struck a chord with you.(MULTILINE)
2. Break up into smaller groups and pray for one another (preferably men with men and women with women).(MULTILINE)