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?

Backwards Living--Lesson 1--Looking Forward; Not Back--Hebrews 11 + Ecclesiastes

Discussion Questions:

1.  How have you experienced the living waters from God in your life?  What kinds of things work against you remembering these living waters He has made available to you?

2.  What does it mean to look forward in living instead of backward?  What advantage is there in having a set point to aim for instead of being blown in whatever direction the wind blows?

3.  What kinds of cisterns have you seen people turn to rather than trusting the living waters of God?  How do these man-made cisterns typically let people down?  What helps you feel secure and fulfilled?

4.  How does the unfairness in life affect your faith walk with God?  What struggles have you had trusting God and surrendering to Him because of unfair things you have experienced?

5.  Why are the people referred to in Hebrews 11 called a cloud of witnesses?  What are they witnessing about?  How is faith not a leap into the unknown?

Character Building--Lesson 11--The Perfect Made More Perfect--Jesus--Hebrews 5-6

Discussion Questions:

1.  What do you think about Jesus having to learn obedience?  How does this provide a model for our own walks with God?

2.  How have you seen sin be its ugliest?  How does the ugliness of sin help you appreciate what Jesus does for you as High Priest?  How has God shown that the High Priest is an offer of life? 

3.  Are there any areas of your faith walk in which you tend to be dull of hearing or have quit growing?  What makes people want to go backwards instead of forward?  How does one maintain a teachable spirit?

4.  What does it mean that your character is more important than your comfort?  How did Jesus incorporate this axiom in His life?

5.  How has God poured His rain upon your life to help you grow?  Are there any areas in your character where thorns or thistles are growing?  How can you change this?