Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Ecclesiastes 7:13-18), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [13] In his sovereign and good purposes, God has brought about “whatsoever comes to pass” (Westminster Confession of Faith 3.1), including all the “crooked” things in the world and in your life. Do you believe this? Why or why not? Do you think you can “make straight what he has made crooked?” Do you dwell on the crooked things as if you could make them straight? Do you live as if you would do a better job than God if you were in control of things?

• [14] God has made both “the day of prosperity” and “the day of adversity,” in order to confound us, so that we will not be able to predict the future or perceive a pattern in how God works. We want to be able to anticipate things so we can better manage/control them, but God does not allow this. Are you able to enjoy “the day of prosperity” and receive it from God with thanksgiving? Are you able to receive also “the day of adversity” from God? Why or why not? Can you imagine “giving thanks always and for everything to God” (Ephesians 5:20)? Even if you cannot comprehend his sovereignty, can you believe that everything he does in your life is ultimately good?

• [18] It is good to fear the Lord, it is a blessing that he gives you by allowing circumstances into your life that bring you to know that you are not in control, but he is. The experience of being brought to fear the Lord is not always the most pleasant—it feels like we are being undone, because we are! Our autonomous, sinful identity is being shattered as he brings us to know that we are utterly at his mercy and dependent upon him for all our good. Do you know the fear of the Lord? What is it like? Under what kinds of circumstances have you most often experienced it? Do you fear the Lord when you consider his work (v. 13), especially the work of salvation in Jesus? Can you see how the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom for life with God? How do you feel about being entirely at God’s mercy?