Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults

Listen to this week’s leader training podcast with Y Bonesteele, team leader for The Gospel Project for Adults, for a summary and guidance in leading your group.

This week’s additional resources for study and preparation:

• Sermon Transcript: “Embrace God’s Appointed Seasons” by Jeremy Sells
• Sermon: “Chapel Sermon” (~31:55) by J. I. Packer
• Sermon: “The Right Time God” by Michael Kelley

Transcript of Leader Training Podcast:

Hi, this is Y Bonesteele, team leader of The Gospel Project for Adults. Welcome to another Leader Training podcast. Today we are in Unit 12, Session 3: Live with Wisdom, with the core passage of Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, and the key concept of: God’s timing is perfect, and everything is a gift from God.

We’ve learned in the past that Solomon asked for and received wisdom from God. He was one of the wisest men of his time, and he wrote wisdom inspired by God for us to live by in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. We’re taking a break in the narrative to look at some of this wisdom.

In Ecclesiastes, then, we see the “Teacher,” Solomon, as seen in chapter 1, verse 1, teach us wisdom on life—it’s futility, cyclical nature, impermanence, and need to follow God and His commands. Looking at chapter 3 then, Solomon writes of this cyclical nature and reminds us that there are seasons in life. Now for those who are 60s music fans, these verses remind us of the song from the Byrds, Turn, Turn, Turn; for those who have no idea what I’m talking about, never mind. But these words are more descriptive than prescriptive.  Solomon reminds us, that there are seasons in our lives, some good, some bad, some easy times, and some really tough times. We understand that we are human and bound by time. The Gospel Project Commentary on page 141 puts it all together well: “One notable aspect of the poem is that it concludes with the word “peace” (shalom in Hebrew), yet we are left with a sense of unsettledness. This tension reflects the Teacher’s broader message in Ecclesiastes: while we are called to live wisely and recognize God’s timing, the unpredictability of life can leave us feeling disoriented. True peace, then, comes not from controlling life’s seasons but from trusting in God’s sovereign rule over them.” That’s a good summary of the couplets that describe the various seasons. For further study of the couplets, the Commentary does a good job describing each line.

 But after listing all the various examples of moments in time, the Teacher expressed in verse 9, “What does the worker gain from his struggles?” A rhetorical question where the reader must answer: nothing or I don’t know. What do we truly gain from our work and labor? Then he states in verse 10,  “I have seen the task that God has given the children of Adam to keep them occupied.” Labor is part of the curse back in Genesis 3:17-19 where God told Adam, “The ground is cursed because of you. You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it.” Our tedious labor at times does seem like it’s for nothing. But the Teacher continues and reminds us that it actually is all for a purpose that we might not always understand, all a part of God’s plan. Verse 11, “He has made everything appropriate in its time.” Everything does have a purpose in God’s plan. Continuing, “He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end.” We are longing to be beyond time, to reach eternity with God where we are no longer toiling uselessly and not encumbered by joys and sorrows. We want this eternity but in our humanity can’t fully understand all that God’s doing.

What are some ways you have recognized a sense of eternity in your heart? Sometimes there’s a restlessness in my soul, a “Lord, Jesus come” yearning. Sometimes some of us find this rat race life so pointless or we lament and mourn about the godlessness in our society, and we yearn to see God’s purposes more. There is an ache in our heart to see the culmination of God’s perfect plan. This is a sense of eternity in our hearts.

When we look at this passage, we might get frustrated at the suffering included in life’s cycle. If this is brought up, the Theological Connection on the Problem of Evil should help us remember that we don’t fully know all the threads that God is holding together to accomplish His purposes for the ultimate good for His people and for His glory. On this side of heaven, we are to trust in God’s good character and ultimate purposes, knowing that evil and sin exists in us and in the world.

The next passage set continues yet can be taken out of context if read by itself. Verses 12-13, “I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. 13 It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts.” By itself, it seems like a reason to party and live it up. But it’s a statement on gratitude. This life is full of hard things but there’s still a lot to be grateful for, and those good gifts are from God.

What are some ways you can remind yourself that work, food, drink, rest, and nature are gifts from God? Thanking Him in prayer, praising Him in worship, journaling, living out joy that others may see and be in awe of Christ and the joy He brings.

Verse 14, “I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him.” God is eternal so His plans have an eternal mindset. He is in control of everything so no one can thwart His plans by adding or taking away from it. And He does this for His glory, that we would be in awe of Him.

What reasons do you have to be in awe of the Lord? Hopefully your group will have a variety of reasons here: beauty in creation, answered prayers, peace of His presence, among so many other things.

Verse 15 then continues, “Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is.” Because God is eternal and beyond time, He can see the complete picture of things and has it all planned out. Then the rest of verse 15 continues, “However, God seeks justice for the persecuted.” Though God is sovereign, we know we still have free will. So even in God’s grand plan of things that we don’t fully understand, people will be held accountable for their actions. God will seek justice for the persecuted. This is a transitional statement from the Teacher talking about the cyclical nature of our lives in time in contrast to God’s eternality, His not being bound by time, to the Teacher talking about injustice and death in the rest of chapter 3. In summary, we learn that we are mortal, God is not. In this life, we yearn for the eternity but as we are still here, we remain grateful for the good gifts even when we have times of sorrow and suffering, knowing God’s plans are right and good and He will fight for justice in His timing and wisdom.

As we talk about God’s perfect timing, we are reminded in the Gospel Connection that God’s perfect timing for Jesus made it possible for salvation to come through Jesus’s suffering, death, and resurrection that fulfilled prophecies. We also see through Jesus’s life how God use joy and suffering for the good of all people, for their salvation.

Moving on to the Group Experience, start with the icebreaker in the Arrival and continue to the Context. Pass out copies of Pack Item 12: Solomon’s Writings to review the various pieces of wisdom coming from Solomon. Cover the idea that though Ecclesiastes seems a little pessimistic with its meaninglessness of life, we see the nugget of truth that we need to follow God and His commands, for it is our duty and purpose. The implication there is that doing so would bring meaning, and life, and joy to us.

Recap, asking the group to recall key phrases and thoughts. And transition into the Group Activity with the chart written on a board, as seen on page 139 of the Leader Guide, and page 112 of the Personal Study Guide.

Have someone read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11. Make 5 smaller groups with the people you have, even if it’s 1 person per group.  Assign each group a sentence; note that verses 1-8 is one sentence. Think of an application point for each sentence. For example, for verses 1-8, the application point can be that we go through different seasons in our life, some good, some hard, but we can trust that God is with us through it all and we can be certain His plans are being worked out for good. For verse 9, the application might be that though work is hard, including the work of stay at home moms or dads, we continue to follow in God’s ways and find purpose in that. Verse 10 can be that though labor was part of the curse, it could still be used for God’s purposes if we are intentional about it. Verse 11a, God has his perfect timing for everything. He never hurries nor procrastinates. His timing is perfect so we can find comfort knowing He’s in control at all times. And verse 11b, we long for eternity, but we are finite. God, however, is infinite. We may not always understand what He’s doing but we can trust that He’s doing something for His glory and our good.

The Leader Guide doesn’t place it here, but this might be good time to pass out Pack Item 13: Work and Wisdom. A huge part of our lives is work and sometimes it’s difficult to see how it relates to our spiritual life. Solomon’s wisdom and New Testament wisdom reminds us how we are to work for God’s glory. We are to seek wisdom in all areas of our lives to live holy lives for God’s purposes.

Then on the activity chart, have everyone personally fill in what they might be facing in this season of their lives. Maybe it’s time to plant roots in a community group, our uproot from an unhealthy job. Maybe it’s a season to tear down walls to be more vulnerable with friends, or even literally tear down a wall in your house for more room. Or a time to build a new business or ministry, or build a new friendship. Whether taken literally or figuratively, give people time to reflect and fill in what might be going on currently in their lives. Give enough time for this reflection.

Then transition and have someone read Ecclesiastes 3:12-15. Remind your group that in this season, even in the midst of the hard things, there’s much to be grateful for. Look at the list that was personalized on the chart. Have your group circle or write additional notes on things they see that they can be thankful for.

For Debrief questions: Given what you know about God’s timing and sovereignty, how might you counter the argument that an all-loving God would not allow suffering? When sin entered the world, sin and brokenness entered the world as well. Suffering occurs through the reality of the broken world and sinful humanity, but God allows it all to help us grow in perseverance and endurance, faith and hope. He allows suffering and it is beyond our understanding sometimes, but we can be assured that a good God has good plans.

When you or someone close to you doubts the goodness of God, how can you point them back to truth? Sometimes it just takes a glimpse of joy or wonder through God’s creation or an encouraging word from someone. Talking to God about your doubts and listening to Him is also a way that the Holy Spirit will point you back to His truth.

Summarize with the key concept that God’s timing is perfect, and everything is a gift from God and tackle the Hearts question if time is limited: How will you praise the Lord in your current season, whether good or bad? This is a good reminder that there is still much to be grateful for in times of hardship and flourishing. Praising God internally through prayer or externally through sharing with others are both valid ways of praising God. And let’s not forget the fact that serving, giving, and hospitality are also ways we can praise God.

Cover some bullet points in the Next Steps and go through prayer requests and praises. And if time permits, pray through Psalm 34. I’m going to choose different verses than what’s in your leader guide. I gravitate to verses 1-5: I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. 3 Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. — Psalms 34:1-5 (CSB)

Hey, thanks again for joining me on another Leader Training podcast. Write me at [email protected] and hope you have a great group time!