Encounter - Sundays

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. What is God’s Word saying to you? What stands out?There is a time and a season for everything. Go around the group and have each person share what kind of season they are in. The highs, the lows, the rhythms of life, the best things, the hardest things, etc.Why is change so hard? What is one of the hardest changes you’ve had to face in life? And in addition, since the pandemic, what is a recent change in our society over the past 3 years that has been really hard for you?How are you responding to inflation with groceries and gas? And how would God want His disciples to respond to these changes? What is a practical step we could take to work towards this? (Please note: this principle can be applied to any change in life!)(verse 12-13) When I think of the gifts God has given me, who or what immediately come to mind? How often do I express my gratitude to God for all His gifts? And how often WILL I seek to thank Him this week?(verse 14-15) Do I honestly fear and

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. In Solomon’s search for the meaning of life, he first explores pleasure. What is the difference between pleasure outside of God vs. the pleasure that God created us to know and experience? What are some of the downfalls of pleasure from this world?Solomon had done it all, made it all, had it all, and earned it all, and yet he still said that it was all “hevel” (a meaningless vapor that is here for a second and gone), and that nothing was new under the sun. How should this wisdom and realization change our thoughts, perspective, and life styles?Read Ecclesiastes 2:12-17. Next, Solomon explores wisdom and we find in this passage that life isn’t fair. Obtaining wisdom can’t change our fate, destiny, or legacy. But… what are the benefits of living a life with Godly wisdom?Read Ecclesiastes 2:18-26. And finally, In Solomon’s search for the meaning of life, he explores work. And once again, he’s frustrated that no matter how hard you work or how successful you becom

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Ecclesiastes 1:1-18. What stands out to you in this passage? What is God’s heart to us?What does the word “hevel” mean? How does Solomon come to this conclusion about everything in life?If you had to pick one… In your life, which of the following do you place the most amount of stock in (in other words, which of these do you pursue the most, in hopes of happiness)? Possessions, Proficiency, Power, or Pleasure. Share how that subject has affected your life and walk with God.“Nothing we want to keep lasts,” and “Nothing we want to get rid of disappears.” Discuss how these 2 phrases can build and grow our faith.How can “Work” be futile and frustrating? What is the most rewarding thing about your work? And what is the most frustrating?“Adding wisdom and knowledge can add pain and sorrow.” How is this statement true? What would God want us to do with that pain and sorrow?Read 1 Cor. 1:26-29 and Col. 3:15-17. How can we be saturated in the grace of Christ this week? Have everyone share

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Prov. 14:16 and Matthew 7:24-27. What is Jesus communicating to His disciples in this passage? What is the “house” you are building? What is the sand? What is the rock? What is the rain, floods, and wind?Tell a story of when you did something foolish in life and how it affected you. (And don’t act like you’ve never done something foolish in life… That’s prideful!)How would you define wisdom?What is a wise person? Have each person go around and share one thing that describes a wise person. Also, who is someone you consider to be wise and why?What is a foolish person? Have each person go around and share one thing that describes a foolish person. Also, who is someone you consider to be foolish and why?Why is foolishness (pride, selfishness, anger, presumption, etc.) so tempting to follow after?How can we obtain more wisdom in our life? How do we get it and where can we go to find it?How can we help each other walk in the wisdom of God? 

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead 2 Cor. 12:7-10. What stands out to you in this passage? What is God’s heart to us?According to that passage, what is a “thorn in the flesh?” What is its purpose? Its intention? Its result?Have everyone in the group share one thing (one area of life, one struggle, one hindrance, one disability, one shortcoming, one relationship, one hardship etc.)… that you would love to ask the Lord to remove (or make better) from your life. Do you feel your spiritual life would be better if you didn’t have that in your life? Why or why not?Read Eph. 2:8-9. Describe what the grace of God is, and what His grace means for your life. List several things that you have been saved from.God’s Word tells us that in our weaknesses, He is strong. And yet most of us hide our weaknesses while promoting our strengths. What are some tangible ways we can combat this?Share one thing you are going through in life right now that you need to proclaim that “His grace is sufficient.”Close in prayer be declaring that H