Backwards Living--Lesson 5--A Life That Adds Up--Ecclesiastes 4

Discussion Questions:

1.  What kinds of things do you see in the world that makes it feel like life does not add up?  What kinds of things does Satan do to take God out of the equation?

2.  How does oppression in the world discourage you?  Are there things that happen in this world that make you think it would be better to have not been born?  How does one see God’s presence and care in these kinds of difficulties?

3.  What is the difference in working to gain and working to build community?  What struggle do you have with bringing your desires down to your possessions?

4.  What things helped you. or hindered you in your sense of value?  How important was having parental involvement in developing your sense of worth?

5.  How does adding God to your situations assist in enjoying a life that adds up?  What kinds of things remind you to keep God and His will connected to your daily living?

Backwards Living--Lesson 4--All in Good Time (and Bad)--Ecclesiastes 3

Discussion Questions:

1.  Do we trust God with our schedule and His timing of things?  Is being out of control a good thing?

2.  How would life be more peaceful and secure if you saw every chapter written in it as a gift from God?  What kinds of things make it difficult to do this?

3.  If God orchestrates time, why is there unfairness and darkness?

4.  How is  a Day of Judgment something that provides profit to the things we do in this life?

5.  Why is being compared to the beasts not a bad thing?  Why is seeing your limits and your inevitable death a good reality to accept?   

Backwards Living--Lesson 3--The Quest for the Meaning of Life--Ecclesiastes 1-2

Discussion Questions:

1.  In what ways is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil still a temptation to get us to depend upon ourselves instead of God?  What “I” problems do you have?

2.  Why is the fear of God the beginning of wisdom?  How is the fear of God leading you to wisdom for your everyday living?

3.  What does it mean to build a kingdom of dirt?  How have you seen the various pleasures under the sun leave you or others hungry and thirsty for something more?

4.  Why do you think Solomon circles back to wisdom a second time?  What do we learn about human nature from this? 

5.  What struggles do you have with remaining dependent upon God?  What helps you with this and what hinders you from maintaining it?