The Mayfield Class

Reflection Questions

1. Solomon pursued every form of pleasure imaginable: wine, wealth, projects, possessions, and relationships (vs 3-11). Why do these things fail to satisfy the soul? How can we enjoy good gifts from God without turning them into idols?

2. Solomon wrestles with the reality that both the wise and the foolish die, and that even great legacies fade (vs 12-17). What legacy are you tempted to build apart from Christ? How does the gospel reframe our understanding of legacy and remembrance?

3. Solomon reflects on the toil of work and the anxiety it can produce, especially when identity is tied to achievement (vs 18-23). How do you personally wrestle with finding meaning in your work? How can we guard against finding our identity in our job title or productivity?

4. Solomon concludes that joy, wisdom, and satisfaction are gifts from God to those who please Him (vs 24-26). How does the gospel free us to enjoy life without chasing after it?

5. In light of Ecclesiastes 2 and John 4, what “wells” are you tempted to drink from that leave you empty? How can you help others recognize their need for the living water only Christ provides?

Reflection Questions

1. Solomon says, “Vanity of vanities… all is vanity” in verse 2. What areas of life feel most futile to you right now, and why?

2. (2 Part Question) 

  a) How does the phrase “under the sun” help us understand Solomon’s perspective on life? Aka, how does death render everything we do as meaningless?

  b) What changes when we shift our view to “under the Son”? Aka, how does Jesus bring significance and meaning to all of our actions, even the ones that seem mundane? 

3. Solomon says that growing in wisdom leads to grief in verses 16-18. What’s the difference between Godly wisdom and worldly wisdom? How do we pursue one without being consumed by the other?

Reflection Questions

1. What would you say changed for Job in light of his encounter with God in Job 38-41 that leads him to repentance?

2. What does today’s passage teach us about the power of God’s word (2 Tim 3:16) and repentance? 

3. What stuck out to you about Job 42:7-9 and how God addresses Job’s three friends? 

4. How do you feel about the fact that nowhere in the book does God explain to Job or his friends about Job 1-2 the conversation with Satan? What’s the application point there for us?

Reflection Questions

1. How does God’s response in these chapters challenge the way we approach suffering and unanswered questions? In what ways do these chapters expose the limits of human understanding of God?

2. What do the rhetorical questions and creation imagery reveal about God’s sovereignty and wisdom?

3. How do these chapters speak to the dangers of pride, especially in seasons of suffering or hardship?

4. What do these chapters teach us about the difference between knowing about God and truly encountering Him?

Reflection Questions

1. Which of Eliphaz’s six “mistakes” stuck out to you and why? 

2. How is Ephesians 5:15-21 helpful in light of Job 4-5, in understanding how to be prepared to offer biblically grounded encouragement and counseling to others? 

3. In what ways does Eliphaz rely on personal experiences rather than God’s Word? Do you find yourself guilty of that, too? How can we guard against that in our own thinking and counseling? 

4. How have Job 4-5 and Ephesians 5-6 reshaped the way you view Godly friendships?

Reflection Questions

1. Given all that has happened this past week, how is Job 2-3 an encouragement to you? 

2. What does Job 2 teach us about God? 

3. What does Job 2 & 3 teach us about man/sin? 

4. How might Job 3 help to change your mindset when you are experiencing times of suffering?

Reflection Question

1. What are characteristics of Job that we see in Job 1:1-5, and why are they important for us to know about him and to consider about our own spiritual lives? 

2. What can we learn from Job’s response to sudden and intense suffering? What does his posture of worship reveal about his view of God?

3. How would you describe God’s role and Satan’s role in Job’s suffering? In light of Ephesians 6, what does Job 1 teach us about the nature of spiritual warfare and God’s sovereignty over the enemy?

4. How can we prepare our hearts to say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord”? What kind of habits can help us anchor us in that kind of faith? 

5. In what ways does Job 1 challenge our assumptions about God’s role in suffering and our responsibility to trust Him? How does this passage reshape our theology of hardship and worship?

Reflection Questions

1. What do verses 23-24 reveal about the Apostle Paul’s heart (aka his desire) towards the church? How is that impactful to you? 

2. Which of the 4 desires/words stuck out to you the most, and why? Peace? Love? Faith? Grace? 

3. What was more impactful to you from verses 21 and 22: The power of sharing your testimony or the power of being a faithful friend and servant of the Lord like Tychicus? Why? 

4. How does Tychicus model or emulate Paul’s desires in verses 23 and 24 for the church and for us?

Reflection Questions

1. How alert and persevering is your prayer life? Where do you tend to drift or disengage? 

2. What role does prayer play in your spiritual warfare? (Preparation, defense, or both?) How did today’s passage possibly change your viewpoint? 

3. How do you currently pray for “all the saints”? What new routines might help you intercede for others beyond your immediate circle?

4. What does it mean to “pray at all times in the Spirit”? How does this differ from routine or reactive prayer?

Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to “take up the whole armor of God”? Why is it necessary for standing firm?

2. Knowing that the whole armor is meant to be worn altogether, not just in pieces. In your walk with Christ, which part of the armor is strongest and which needs attention?

3. What rhythms currently help you (or could help you) “put on” the armor daily… especially in light of your marriage, parenting, church, or work where the enemy is seeking to attack us?