Backwards Living--Lesson 9--Viewing Things from Up Above--Ecclesiastes 8

Discussion Questions:

1.  What difficulty do you have with playing the long game instead of getting absorbed into the shorter game?  How would you define the long game in a spiritual sense?

2.  How is God’s wisdom like seeing a maze from up above?  What limitations are there to a clear view from up above? 

3.  How does David’s example of submission to authority encourage you to trust in God’s wisdom to lead you through difficult things you encounter?  Why would God allow David to experience the challenges he faced prior to becoming king?

4.  How does one obey and submit to authority while keeping things in proper perspective, so we obey God instead of mankind?  What frustrations have you had with this?

5.  How have you seen people who embrace evil seem to enjoy better things in life than those who strive after righteousness?  How well do you trust that it will be well for those who fear the LORD? 

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?