Backwards Living--Lesson 8--What Are You Looking At?--Ecclesiastes 7

Discussion Questions:

1.  What kinds of plans have you made in your past that you are sure God laughed at? 

2.  What struggles have you had trusting in God’s definition of what is good?  Why are His ways often so different from what the world emphasizes?

3.  What benefits are there to being mortal?  How is facing an appointment with death a benefit to our spiritual development and the maintenance of our faith?

4.  How does one maintain a spirit of worship and trust in God during days of prosperity and adversity? 

5.  In what ways have you gotten caught up looking at the past instead of the future?  How is nostalgia good, and how is it a hinderance to maturing in faith and service to the LORD?

Backwards Living--Lesson 7--A Proper Use of This World--Ecclesiastes 5-6

Discussion Questions:

1.  How secure do you feel in your life?  Do you ever struggle with wondering who is maintaining things in this world?  What substitutes have you turned to for security?

2.  How are satisfaction and security attached?  What makes keeping satisfaction so difficult in this culture?

3.  How do our fears work against security and satisfaction?  What struggles do you have with viewing the future through a lens of fear and assuming the worst?

4.  Why is using our desires against us such a powerful weapon in Satan’s hands?  What kinds of things help you keep your desires in check so you are not vulnerable to Satan’s attacks?

5.  Why does Jesus tell the Rich Young Ruler to sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow Him?  Do these directions apply to us today?  Why or why not? 

Backwards Living--Lesson 6--An Undivided Heart & Life

Discussion Questions:

1.  What does it mean to live out our faith in an undivided way?  What kinds of things tempt you to compartmentalize God and His ways, or tempt you to let other things rival for His rightful place?

2.  Do you find it difficult to listen to God rather than talking to Him?  What kinds of things encourage you to listen more?

3.  How much of our typical worship service is about what we bring to God versus what he offers to us?  How could we do a better job of being more focused on what He does for us?

4.  What does fearing God look like in everyday living?  How does fearing God keep us from offering “the sacrifice of fools”?

5.  In what ways has God asked you to give up treasure of this world for the sake of His Kingdom?  How has seeing others do this with peace and security provided a witness for your faith?