Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Ecclesiastes 9:1-10), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [1-6] Do you believe that it is good to be “in the hand of God”? In other words, do you trust that his sovereign providence in your life and over this world is good? If so, why do you believe that? Do you believe it more or less when his sovereign providence steers you toward difficult circumstances in life? Do you believe it more or less when he has surrounded you with pleasant gifts to enjoy?

• If all you had to go on was what you can perceive in this world “under the sun,” you could never be truly assured of God’s love and favor. For the assurance that God loves us, no matter what kind of circumstances he allows in our lives, we need to hear him communicating his love to us in the Scriptures, in the Gospel. Are you tempted to interpret God’s disposition toward you based on how you read the circumstances of your life? Are you tempted to determine God’s faithfulness in light of your current:
  • family/relationship situation?
  • employment?
  • financial status?
  • physical/emotional health status?
  • government/society?

• [7-10] Jesus came into the world to restore our relationship with God, to reveal the Father to us, to speak the words of God to us, “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). God is a joyful God, and he wants us to enjoy the life he has given us in our relationship with him. Do you celebrate God’s simple gifts and receive them with thanksgiving from God? Do you enjoy spending time with family or friends you love? Do you engage in your work or your hobbies with gusto? Do you ever feel guilty about enjoying life? Do you feel like you lack the ability to celebrate the simple things God has given you? Do you pray that God would help you to be assured of his love in such a way that you become free actually to enjoy life?