Wisdom that Changes our Faces
Weekly Reading
Monday: Deuteronomy 26, 1 Corinthians 15
Tuesday: Deuteronomy 27, 1 Corinthians 16
Wednesday: Deuteronomy 28, 2 Corinthians 1-2
Thursday: Deuteronomy 29, 1 Corinthians 3
Friday: 2 Corinthians 4-5
Saturday: Psalm 104, Proverbs 23
Sunday: Jeremiah 32-41
Tuesday: Deuteronomy 27, 1 Corinthians 16
Wednesday: Deuteronomy 28, 2 Corinthians 1-2
Thursday: Deuteronomy 29, 1 Corinthians 3
Friday: 2 Corinthians 4-5
Saturday: Psalm 104, Proverbs 23
Sunday: Jeremiah 32-41
Sermon Notes
Key Passage: Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
“We're going on a bit too fast. You and I, Sam, are still stuck in the worst places of the story, and it is all too likely that some will say at this point: "Shut the book now, dad; we don't want to read any more.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers
“From an atheist perspective, not only is there no hope of a better end to the story; there is no ultimate story. There is nothing but blind, pitiless indifference. From a Christian perspective, there is not only hope for a better end; there is intimacy now with the One whose resurrected hands still bear the scars of the nails that pinned him to his cross. Suffering is not an embarrassment to the Christian faith. It is the thread with which Christ’s name is stitched into our lives.” ― Rebecca McLaughlin, Confronting Christianity
“We're going on a bit too fast. You and I, Sam, are still stuck in the worst places of the story, and it is all too likely that some will say at this point: "Shut the book now, dad; we don't want to read any more.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers
“From an atheist perspective, not only is there no hope of a better end to the story; there is no ultimate story. There is nothing but blind, pitiless indifference. From a Christian perspective, there is not only hope for a better end; there is intimacy now with the One whose resurrected hands still bear the scars of the nails that pinned him to his cross. Suffering is not an embarrassment to the Christian faith. It is the thread with which Christ’s name is stitched into our lives.” ― Rebecca McLaughlin, Confronting Christianity
Discussion Questions
1. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in the sermon or the passage?
2. According to verse 1, wisdom makes a face shine, and hardness of it change. What has been an experience where you have seen wisdom effect you like this?
3. Russ said in his sermon that Ecclesiastes was an invitation to ask the hard things of life, such as why is life so hard? Why is there so much pain? Do you find it easy to ask those questions? Has thinking through Ecclesiastes helped you ask more honest questions of God?
4. Verses 6-8 remind us we have no power over death. What are things you do to have power over death? What reminders do we need in those moments?
2. According to verse 1, wisdom makes a face shine, and hardness of it change. What has been an experience where you have seen wisdom effect you like this?
3. Russ said in his sermon that Ecclesiastes was an invitation to ask the hard things of life, such as why is life so hard? Why is there so much pain? Do you find it easy to ask those questions? Has thinking through Ecclesiastes helped you ask more honest questions of God?
4. Verses 6-8 remind us we have no power over death. What are things you do to have power over death? What reminders do we need in those moments?
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