Bouquet Canyon Church
Ecclesiastes Part 1
Locations & Times
Bouquet Canyon Church
26900 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
FINDING MEANING IN A BROKEN WORLD
- TRUST THE SCRIPTURES
- FACE LIFE'S HARSH REALITIES
- ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS
- GIVE UP ON FALSE HOPES
- EMBRACE THE GOOD NEWS
Discussion Notes (for use in a small group or individual study)
Sermon: Finding Meaning in a Broken World
(Phone apps are good for comparing multiple translations. Study Bibles help with interpretation.)
Questions:
1. Opening question: Have you read the book of Ecclesiastes before? How has it struck you? Do its words resonate with you or do you have trouble connecting with it?
2. This was the first sermon in a new series in the book of Ecclesiastes. It focused on the Teacher’s struggle with a broken and seemingly meaningless world. What do you remember about each of the main points? What stood out to you or impacted you?
3. For this study, we’ll examine someone else in the Bible (a man named Asaph) who also struggled to make sense of a broken world. Begin by reading Psalm 73:1-6.
a) What does Asaph declare about God in the first verse?
b) What caused him to doubt God’s goodness previously?
c) Is there anything that you see in the world today that tends to discourage you or cause you to slip into doubt?
4. Read Psalm 73:13-15
a) What dark thoughts did Asaph have about the good and moral things he had done in life? Why?
b) In v. 15, he indicates that he didn’t speak these thoughts out loud. Why was that a good thing?
5. Read Psalm 73:16-20
a) In v. 16, we see that Asaph’s attempts to understand what he was going through only led to more mental and emotional struggles. What is something that you wish God would explain to you?
b) What was the turning point for Asaph? (See v. 17). Why do you think this helped lead him to a breakthrough?
c) What revelation did he have that helped him?
6. Read Psalm 73:21-28
a) What did Asaph realize about:
i. God’s presence? (v. 23)
ii. God’s assistance? (v. 23)
iii. God’s guidance? (v. 24)
iv. Eternity? (v. 24)
v. True treasure? (v. 25)
vi. The source of strength? (v. 26)
b) What did Asaph decide to do in response to what he had learned? (v. 28)
7. Reflection and prayer:
a) What realities of life tend to get you down?
b) What higher realities can you focus on instead?
c) Turn to God in prayer now. Offer your doubts and discouragement to Him. Pray for one another for encouragement and faith. And pray for any other specific needs.
Sermon: Finding Meaning in a Broken World
(Phone apps are good for comparing multiple translations. Study Bibles help with interpretation.)
Questions:
1. Opening question: Have you read the book of Ecclesiastes before? How has it struck you? Do its words resonate with you or do you have trouble connecting with it?
2. This was the first sermon in a new series in the book of Ecclesiastes. It focused on the Teacher’s struggle with a broken and seemingly meaningless world. What do you remember about each of the main points? What stood out to you or impacted you?
3. For this study, we’ll examine someone else in the Bible (a man named Asaph) who also struggled to make sense of a broken world. Begin by reading Psalm 73:1-6.
a) What does Asaph declare about God in the first verse?
b) What caused him to doubt God’s goodness previously?
c) Is there anything that you see in the world today that tends to discourage you or cause you to slip into doubt?
4. Read Psalm 73:13-15
a) What dark thoughts did Asaph have about the good and moral things he had done in life? Why?
b) In v. 15, he indicates that he didn’t speak these thoughts out loud. Why was that a good thing?
5. Read Psalm 73:16-20
a) In v. 16, we see that Asaph’s attempts to understand what he was going through only led to more mental and emotional struggles. What is something that you wish God would explain to you?
b) What was the turning point for Asaph? (See v. 17). Why do you think this helped lead him to a breakthrough?
c) What revelation did he have that helped him?
6. Read Psalm 73:21-28
a) What did Asaph realize about:
i. God’s presence? (v. 23)
ii. God’s assistance? (v. 23)
iii. God’s guidance? (v. 24)
iv. Eternity? (v. 24)
v. True treasure? (v. 25)
vi. The source of strength? (v. 26)
b) What did Asaph decide to do in response to what he had learned? (v. 28)
7. Reflection and prayer:
a) What realities of life tend to get you down?
b) What higher realities can you focus on instead?
c) Turn to God in prayer now. Offer your doubts and discouragement to Him. Pray for one another for encouragement and faith. And pray for any other specific needs.