The Bridge Church
Life's Biggest Questions - Week 3 - Why Am I Here?
May 4, 2025
Locations & Times
Bridge Church
2410 N River Rd, Venice, FL 34292, USA
Sunday 7:45 AM
Sunday 9:30 AM
Sunday 11:15 AM
Purpose: Why Am I Here?
I find joy in _________
Outside of my relationship with God,
I find joy in _________
Outside of my relationship with God,
I find joy in _________
5 Empty Pursuits of Mankind
1. Pleasure: something to enjoy
2. Vocation: to work, to produce something
3. Materialism: the best of the best
4. Relationships: someone to belong to
5. Power & Fame: to make something of himself
1. Pleasure: something to enjoy
2. Vocation: to work, to produce something
3. Materialism: the best of the best
4. Relationships: someone to belong to
5. Power & Fame: to make something of himself
Why are you here?
Fear and Obey God
Fear and Obey God
“Fearing God means that God is, in your mind and heart, so powerful and so holy and so awesome that you would not dare run from Him, but only to Him." - John Piper
What does this mean for you and me?
1. God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness.
2. God has an agenda that includes you, but it is not about you.
Nobody has a problem with God being God until the truth of His word opposes the desires of your heart.
1. God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness.
2. God has an agenda that includes you, but it is not about you.
Nobody has a problem with God being God until the truth of His word opposes the desires of your heart.
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390
I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390
I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
Dig Deeper:
1. What are some responses you might hear if someone was asked, “Why am I here”?
2. “I find joy in ______.” Share some responses people might say.
3. Who is attributed to writing the Book of Ecclesiastes? What major theme does the author explore?
4. Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. As the author wraps up the book, what is his instruction?
5. What does the word “fear” mean in this context? How does understanding this help frame why we are to “keep his commandments”?
6. Read Ecclesiastes 2:1. What kind of joy or satisfaction is the author referring to? What does the word “vanity” mean in this context?
7. Read Ecclesiastes 2:2. How would you answer, “What use is it”?
8. Read Ecclesiastes 2:3-9. List all the ways the author searches for joy. Then, share the equivalent of what that same action would look like in our culture today.
9. Overall, what is the author doing to find joy in this passage?
10. What do you think our current culture is pursuing? Explain your answer.
11. Of the five empty pursuits unpacked in question eight, which one do you think is most prevalent today? Why?
12. Of the five empty pursuits unpacked in question eight, which one is most prevalent in your own life? Why?
13. How can we reconcile the teaching in Ecclesiastes 2 with the pursuit of wisdom as encouraged in other books of the Bible?
14. In what ways can the pursuit of earthly pleasures distract us from spiritual growth?
15. How does the fleetingness of life, as presented in Ecclesiastes 2, shape your perspective on living?
16. How can we find a balance between the enjoyment of life's pleasures and the recognition of their potential emptiness?
17. Reread Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. What does it mean when the author says, “for this is the whole duty of man”?
18. How does knowing God “will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” change your pursuit of joy?
19. Why is God more interested in our holiness that our happiness?
20. How can you find contentment and satisfaction in God?
21. How does Solomon's journey in Ecclesiastes 2 reflect our own quests for meaning and purpose?
22. What details can you share with someone who might ask you, “Why am I here”?
Live It Out:
God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness. Review the five empty pursuits of mankind (listed below) that are mentioned in Ecclesiastes 2:1-9. For each empty pursuit, write down evidence of it in your own life. Explore why this is a part of your pursuit of joy. Why do you look for joy in this way?
Then, look at scriptures where God provides true joy, instead of earthly, empty pursuits. Spend time with God in prayer, asking Him to change your heart in areas where you need to pursue Him. Thank Him for being our ultimate source of joy, satisfaction, and contentment.
Five Empty Pursuits of Mankind
1. Pleasure: He wanted something to enjoy
2. Vocation: He wanted to work, to produce something
3. Materialism: He wanted the best of the best
4. Relationships: He wanted someone to belong to
5. Power & Fame: He wanted to make something of himself
1. What are some responses you might hear if someone was asked, “Why am I here”?
2. “I find joy in ______.” Share some responses people might say.
3. Who is attributed to writing the Book of Ecclesiastes? What major theme does the author explore?
4. Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. As the author wraps up the book, what is his instruction?
5. What does the word “fear” mean in this context? How does understanding this help frame why we are to “keep his commandments”?
6. Read Ecclesiastes 2:1. What kind of joy or satisfaction is the author referring to? What does the word “vanity” mean in this context?
7. Read Ecclesiastes 2:2. How would you answer, “What use is it”?
8. Read Ecclesiastes 2:3-9. List all the ways the author searches for joy. Then, share the equivalent of what that same action would look like in our culture today.
9. Overall, what is the author doing to find joy in this passage?
10. What do you think our current culture is pursuing? Explain your answer.
11. Of the five empty pursuits unpacked in question eight, which one do you think is most prevalent today? Why?
12. Of the five empty pursuits unpacked in question eight, which one is most prevalent in your own life? Why?
13. How can we reconcile the teaching in Ecclesiastes 2 with the pursuit of wisdom as encouraged in other books of the Bible?
14. In what ways can the pursuit of earthly pleasures distract us from spiritual growth?
15. How does the fleetingness of life, as presented in Ecclesiastes 2, shape your perspective on living?
16. How can we find a balance between the enjoyment of life's pleasures and the recognition of their potential emptiness?
17. Reread Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. What does it mean when the author says, “for this is the whole duty of man”?
18. How does knowing God “will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” change your pursuit of joy?
19. Why is God more interested in our holiness that our happiness?
20. How can you find contentment and satisfaction in God?
21. How does Solomon's journey in Ecclesiastes 2 reflect our own quests for meaning and purpose?
22. What details can you share with someone who might ask you, “Why am I here”?
Live It Out:
God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness. Review the five empty pursuits of mankind (listed below) that are mentioned in Ecclesiastes 2:1-9. For each empty pursuit, write down evidence of it in your own life. Explore why this is a part of your pursuit of joy. Why do you look for joy in this way?
Then, look at scriptures where God provides true joy, instead of earthly, empty pursuits. Spend time with God in prayer, asking Him to change your heart in areas where you need to pursue Him. Thank Him for being our ultimate source of joy, satisfaction, and contentment.
Five Empty Pursuits of Mankind
1. Pleasure: He wanted something to enjoy
2. Vocation: He wanted to work, to produce something
3. Materialism: He wanted the best of the best
4. Relationships: He wanted someone to belong to
5. Power & Fame: He wanted to make something of himself
Reading Plan:
Monday: Ecclesiastes 2:1-2
Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 2:3-4
Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 2:5-6
Thursday: Ecclesiastes 2:7-8
Friday: Ecclesiastes 2:9-10
Saturday: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Monday: Ecclesiastes 2:1-2
Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 2:3-4
Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 2:5-6
Thursday: Ecclesiastes 2:7-8
Friday: Ecclesiastes 2:9-10
Saturday: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14