SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 7:29, 8:16-17, 11:6, & 12:9-14

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What does the poem from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 teach us about timing in our lives?

2. Can you think of a specific time in your life when you had to choose the right moment to act? How did that choice impact your situation?

3. Have you ever experienced a time when waiting for something made it more meaningful? How can that influence the way you approach challenges today?

4. The sermon mentions that 'God made humankind upright, but they have sought many evil schemes' (Ecclesiastes 7:29). What do you think this means?

5. The closing instruction of Ecclesiastes is to 'fear God and keep His commandments.’ How do you feel about this? What can you learn from it?

6. In what ways does the concept of 'vapors' or 'smoke' relate to our understanding of life's uncertainty? How do you deal with uncertainty in your own life? Do you find it challenging to trust in God during those times?

SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, 3:9-19, & 4:9-12

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS WEEK HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Kenny’s “song” for this week sings, “This is the day that the Lord has made! / Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” Do you find this idea comforting? Do you find it sufficient?

2. If it is true that our imaginations are limited by our anxieties about Time and Death, we’re going to struggle to develop a “right” way to live! In this sermon, Kenny discussed two “life philosophies” in the ancient world: Hedonism and Stoicism. How would you define each? Do you see echoes of these philosophies in the world today?

3. Have you ever been tempted by a “hedonistic” life? Where did that road lead for you? What did you learn?

4. Have you ever been tempted by a “stoic” life? Where did that road lead for you? What did you learn?

5. Ecclesiastes suggests that a better option is what we might call a “life of gratitude”: recognizing the many gifts we are given (even in this broken world) and trying to enjoy them. Does this resonate with you?

6. The main challenge of this series is that our conclusions, most weeks, are still going to feel incomplete or insufficient. What are the limits of a “life of gratitude”? What more are we seeking from “the good life”?  

7. What small things in your life bring you joy? How can you make a conscious effort to appreciate them more… and share them?

SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, 2:12-17, & 4:1-3; Proverbs 8:17-21 & 9:10-12 

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS MESSAGE HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What do you think Ecclesiastes means when it says, 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity'? How does this idea challenge what we often believe about work and success?

2. Kenny said that Time and Death are barriers that keep us from really being able to imagine the “horizon” of things, where God really does bring heaven down here to earth. How do those barriers affect your hope and faith? How do they impact your own sense of meaning and purpose in life?

3. In Proverbs, wisdom is promised to lead to a good life, but Ecclesiastes challenges this idea. How do you feel about the tension between these two books? Does it feel strange to see places where Scripture is challenged… by other Scripture?

4. Kenny concluded by saying that Ecclesiastes helps us wrestle with the gap between what we believe and what we experience in the world. What doubts or questions do you have about the meaning of life? About things like legacy and purpose?

5. How might discussing these doubts in a safe environment help you grow in your understanding and faith?

6. How might the prospect of a 'bigger Story' reframe our sense of purpose or meaning? What might that ‘bigger Story’ be? What part might you be playing inside of it?

SCRIPTURE: Mark 10:17-22

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS SERMON HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What is the difference between certainty and confidence in our relationship with God?

2. How does Kenny relate the act of “cleaning a messy room” to our relationship with God?

3. What are some things in your life that you are hesitant to give over to God? Why?

4. In this story, what do you think Jesus means when he says the man “lacks” just one thing? What is it? 

5. Kenny argues that, for many people of faith, the rules can become a substitute for the relationship. Have you ever experienced this? What happened?

6. In what ways can you shift your focus from following rules to building a deeper relationship with God?

7. Do you really believe the Holy Spirit is committed to transforming your heart, your desires, and your life? How might greater confidence in this Biblical truth bring you more freedom and joy (and courage!) as you learn to submit yourself to God’s leadership?

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 3

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Why do you think it's important to care for our own needs before we can effectively care for others?

2. Can you think of a time when you neglected your own needs? How did it affect your ability to care for someone else or complete a task?

3. Reflecting on the story of Adam and Eve, what do you think their awareness of their nakedness symbolizes? In what ways might recognizing your own vulnerabilities help you connect better with others?

4. How can cultural messages make it harder for people, especially women, to address their own needs? Have you experienced any cultural pressures that made it difficult for you to take care of yourself? How did you respond?

5. How does the idea of caring for oneself relate to the notion of being a good parent or caregiver?

6. What might God's inquiry, 'Who told you that you were naked?' suggest about our own self-perceptions?

7. How do you perceive yourself when you make mistakes, and how does that affect your relationships with others?

SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 29; Matthew 6 & 22:37-40

YOU CAN ALSO READ THE MANUSCRIPT FOR TODAY’S SERMON HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. When was the last time you really felt overwhelmed? What are some ways that feeling overwhelmed can prevent us from caring for others?

2. How does the Lord's Prayer remind us to prioritize both our relationship with God and our care for others?

3. How might focusing on local acts of kindness help to keep us engaged in the world? Can you think of a situation where focusing on one local issue made a difference in your community?

4. Kenny mentioned Jeremiah's message to the Israelites about building lives in exile. How can we apply this idea in our own lives when facing difficult situations?

5. What does it really mean to you to 'love your neighbor as yourself’?

6. Can you identify a specific person or community in your life who might need your support right now? What steps will you take to show them love?

SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:1-10

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS SERMON HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Can you think of a time when you felt judged or misunderstood? How did that affect how you see yourself?

2. In the story, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus despite feeling embarrassed. What does this say about his character? Have you ever taken a risk to learn something new or to connect with someone? What happened?

3. When Zacchaeus declares he will give half of his possessions to the poor, what do you think caused such a radical change in him? What conversations have influenced you to change your actions for the better? Can you share an example?

4. How does the interaction between Jesus and Zacchaeus challenge our assumptions about who deserves compassion?

5. Luke 19:9-10 says that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. What does it mean to be 'lost,' and how does this relate to the story of Zacchaeus?

6. Who around you might be ‘misunderstood’ today? How can you seek to understand them and encourage them?

SCRIPTURE: John 20-21

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS MESSAGE HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Can you think of a time when you were afraid of something that held you back from caring for others or for a specific situation?

2. Why do you think the fear of death can hold us back from experiencing shalom, or wholeness, in our lives?

3. What does it mean to you that Jesus defeated the grave, and how can this belief change the way you view challenges in your own life?

4. In John 20:19-23, Jesus says 'Shalom be with you' to his disciples after his resurrection. Why do you think he chose to say this first?

5. How can you extend peace to those around you, especially in challenging situations?

6. How does the story of Peter's denial and restoration relate to the theme of second chances and extending shalom? Can you identify an area in your life where you can offer a second chance to someone?

7. What practical ways can we, as a community, work together to extend shalom to those in need, as mentioned in the sermon?

8. What is one step you can take this week to reach out and help someone in your community?

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9:6, Luke 19:29-42, & John 12:23-25

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS MESSAGE HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. How might you define “shalom”? What have you learned this week about all this word might mean or encompass?

2. What are some of the areas in your life where you might need more peace or wholeness? 

3. Consider the title of this week’s message (“When You Want a Warrior…”). Are you sometimes tempted to long for victory–over your circumstances, over your enemies–instead of peace? What fears might be underneath that desire?

4. The heart of the message today is that God understands our real enemy is Death… and our fear of this will always make us half-hearted in how we pursue the kinds of love and generosity God intends for us. Can you imagine how your life might be different if you could be free from this fear?

5. The closing challenge was to “choose flourishing over victory.” What are some of the relationships in your life where the desire to win is more important to you than loving the other person well? 

6. Take some time to listen to the Holy Spirit today: what might shalom look like in this relationship?

7. Next week is Easter Sunday! We will be talking about what Jesus’s love for us leads him to do in order to deliver us from our fears. Spend time this week preparing for this message by asking: “where am I holding myself back from God, from others, and even from me?” Ask God to soften your heart so you might hear Him more clearly, believe more deeply, and grow!

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:38-42

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS SERMON HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What do you think Jesus meant when he said, 'few things are needed—or indeed only one'?

2. In your own life, what ‘occupations’ might be preventing you from spending more time with God?

3. Why do you think Mary chose to sit at Jesus's feet instead of helping Martha with the preparations? Are there areas in your life where you need to be bold in prioritizing your spiritual health, even if it means going against the norm?

4. How can we relate to Martha's feelings of being overwhelmed and wanting recognition for our efforts? Have you ever felt similarly? How can you communicate your feelings to God or others in your life when you feel overwhelmed?

5. What does the story teach us about the importance of rest and listening to God? How can you incorporate moments of rest and listening to God into your daily routine?

6. What costs have you encountered or feared when trying to prioritize your spiritual growth? How can you address those fears?