WHY SHOULD I WORK SO HARD?

SERMON NOTES/D GROUP QUESTIONS 5/22/11

Sermon Series: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask About Life
Why Should I Work So Hard?

THE WORKAHOLIC (Ecclesiastes 4:8)
THE LAZY WORKER (2 Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 6:6-11)

I. HOW TO SUCCEED IN WORK
1. Work enthusiastically (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Ephesians 6:7-8)
2. Work with integrity (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
3. Work skillfully (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
4. Work efficiently (Ecclesiastes 8:6)
5. Work cooperatively (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
6. Work persistently (Ecclesiastes 11:6)

II. HAVE A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
1. Take the time to enjoy life. (Ecclesiastes 3:13)
2. Make time to rest from work. (Psalms 127:2; Psalm 23:1-2)
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night,anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
(New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004, Tyndale)
3. Working to hoard wealth will destroy you. (Ecclesiastes 5:13; 4:4)
4. You can't bring it with you anyway! (Ecclesiastes 5:15)
5. True rest can only be found in Christ. (Matthew 11:28-30)

D Group Discussion Questions:
1. On a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being a "lazy worker"; 10 being a "workaholic"),
where are you? Why?

2. In the six ways of "How To Succeed In Work," what areas have you struggled with?
What areas have you succeeded? What do you need to improve on?

3. What are factors that prevent us from "resting" from our labor? How can we get around those things that prevent us from rest?

4. Read Matthew 11:28-30. How does the statement of Jesus affect you personally?
How does this statement from Jesus validate the importance of having a personal relationship with Him?

HOW CAN I BE HAPPY?

SERMON NOTES/D GROUP QUESTIONS 5/15/11

Sermon Series: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask About Life
How Can I Be Happy?

I. SOLOMON'S SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS
1. Pleasure does not satisfy. (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3)
2. Great accomplishments does not satisfy. (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6)
3. Wealth and Power does not satisfy. (Ecclesiastes 2:7-11)

II. JESUS' KEYS TO HAPPINESS
1. Admit you have a need. (Matthew 5:3)
2. Be truly sorry for your sin. (Matthew 5:4)
3. Have an attitude of meekness. (Matthew 5:5)
4. Want what God wants. (Matthew 5:6)
5. Cultivate a forgiving heart. (Matthew 5:7)
6. Maintain a clear conscience. (Matthew 5:8)
7. Represent God as a conduit of peace. (Matthew 5:9)
8. Accept the reality of persecution as you serve Christ. (Matthew 5:10-12)

D Group Discussion Questions:
1. What are your own personal experiences of trying to find happiness in the wrong places? (example: trying to find happiness in pleasure, laughter, alcohol, accomplishments, money, fame, power, etc.). What was the end result?

2. Of the Beatitudes listed above, which ones have you personally struggled with?

3. Go through each Beatitude and focus on the promised blessings that results with each one.
a. What is your reaction to these blessings?
b. Does knowing these blessings motivate you to "live" the beatitudes?
In what way?

4. How can "living" the Beatitudes in your life bring others to Christ?

WHY ISN'T LIFE FAIR?

SERMON NOTES/D GROUP QUESTIONS 5/8/11

Sermon Series: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask About Life
WHY ISN’T LIFE FAIR?

I. THE REALITY: LIFE IS UNFAIR!
1. Criminals go unpunished. (Ecclesiastes 8:11)
2. The oppressed are unhelped. (Ecclesiastes 4:1)
3. Politicians are unethical. (Ecclesiastes 5:8)
4. Good people are unrewarded. (Ecclesiastes 8:14)
5. Capable people are unsuccessful. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

II. THE REASON: WHY DOES GOD LET IT HAPPEN?
1. Because He gives us the freedom to choose. (Matthew 23:37)
2. Because Judgment is coming. (Ecclesiastes 3:17, Isaiah 30:18)
3. Because God is giving us time to repent. (2 Peter 3:9; 2 Thes. 2:7)
4. Because pain develops Character. (Romans 5:3-4)

III. MY RESPONSE: HOW SHOULD I REACT?
1. Accept that life is unfair. (John 16:33)
2. Do the right thing anyway. (Isaiah 1:17; Romans 12:21)
3. Have an eternal perspective. (2 Timothy 4:6-8; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
4. Understand that God has good plans for you. (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28)
5. Repent and know Jesus as your Lord and Savior (Romans 3:23-24)

D Group Discussion Questions:
1. Share with your group personal experiences of unfairness and injustice in your life. Give real life examples.

2. What was your initial reaction to the injustices that you shared in question number 1? Where you bitter? Did you blame God? etc.

3. What are some things that can influence our choices:
a. to do good.
b. to do bad.

4. From this point on, how will you now react during times of injustice and unfairness in your life?