Sermon Discussion Guide: 4/21/24
Sermon Recap:
Text: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8
Big Idea: The young need to know what the aged have learned.
Summary: The book of Ecclesiastes is an exhortation from Qoheleth (the Preacher), seeking to impart wisdom to his readers through the strategy of considering life apart from God (only living for what is "under the sun"). As life is pursued apart from finding rootedness in God, it amounts to nothing more than vanity (hevel in Hebrew).
In Ecclesiastes 11, the Preacher depicts what it is like to grow old. He uses metaphor to describe the aging of the body. He describes how those who live "many years" have seen a multitude of goodnesses in God's creation, yet much darkness as well. There are certain lessons that life will teach every person in due course.
Thus, the Preacher targets young adults with a desire to instruct them to cherish the strength of their youth, to enjoy this season of life, but to not waste it in vain pursuits. Qoheleth exhorts the young to make good use of this season of life, by remembering the God who created them, who is the Judge.
Questions for Discussion:
1. What has been your history of interaction with Ecclesiastes? Have you found it difficult? Do you enjoy it? Have you neglected it?
2. Are there parts of this passage that did not make much sense on the surface, or that still seem a bit ambiguous? Work these out together in the group.
3. What has been you experience with seeing churches try to pursue intergenerational unity? Were there lessons that are helpful for North Park as we pursue that?
4. What is your involvement with the opposite generation of where you are at? Do you know many older or younger faces?
5. How does a church navigate differing opinions between generations? Are there any Biblical principles that help steer the church when disagreement arises?
6. For those on the younger end, how are you doing at connecting with, serving, and listening to the older generation? Why is that the case?
7. For those who are on the older end, how are you doing at mentoring and handing the baton to the next generation? Why or why not is this difficult?
Text: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8
Big Idea: The young need to know what the aged have learned.
Summary: The book of Ecclesiastes is an exhortation from Qoheleth (the Preacher), seeking to impart wisdom to his readers through the strategy of considering life apart from God (only living for what is "under the sun"). As life is pursued apart from finding rootedness in God, it amounts to nothing more than vanity (hevel in Hebrew).
In Ecclesiastes 11, the Preacher depicts what it is like to grow old. He uses metaphor to describe the aging of the body. He describes how those who live "many years" have seen a multitude of goodnesses in God's creation, yet much darkness as well. There are certain lessons that life will teach every person in due course.
Thus, the Preacher targets young adults with a desire to instruct them to cherish the strength of their youth, to enjoy this season of life, but to not waste it in vain pursuits. Qoheleth exhorts the young to make good use of this season of life, by remembering the God who created them, who is the Judge.
Questions for Discussion:
1. What has been your history of interaction with Ecclesiastes? Have you found it difficult? Do you enjoy it? Have you neglected it?
2. Are there parts of this passage that did not make much sense on the surface, or that still seem a bit ambiguous? Work these out together in the group.
3. What has been you experience with seeing churches try to pursue intergenerational unity? Were there lessons that are helpful for North Park as we pursue that?
4. What is your involvement with the opposite generation of where you are at? Do you know many older or younger faces?
5. How does a church navigate differing opinions between generations? Are there any Biblical principles that help steer the church when disagreement arises?
6. For those on the younger end, how are you doing at connecting with, serving, and listening to the older generation? Why is that the case?
7. For those who are on the older end, how are you doing at mentoring and handing the baton to the next generation? Why or why not is this difficult?
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