Is God Real? - Week 2

BIG IDEA

We are in part 2 of our series Is God Real? this week. In this series, we are taking time to answer this question. We are also learning ways to help others who have this question understand that yes, God is real. Last week, we looked at three reasons we can be confident that God is real:

1. Every effect has a cause.
2. Every created thing has a Creator.
3.Every design has a Designer.

All three of these truths point us to the existence of God, our Creator and Designer. Today, we are looking at another reason why we can be confident in God’s existence: Without a Maker, there is no lasting meaning for life.

Our Bible study today takes us to the book of Ecclesiastes where we read about Solomon. Here are some things to know about him:

Solomon was the king of Israel for a long, long time.
He was also very, very rich. Like, he was so rich he was the richest person on earth.

Even though Solomon was the king of Israel and the richest man on earth, he still recognized that something was missing. The book of Ecclesiasties records his mission to find meaning in life. Here are some examples of where Solomon looked to find meaning:

Education
Alcohol
Sex
Work

As Solomon looked for purpose and meaning in all of these things, he used one word to describe them: meaningless. All of the success, seemingly “fun” times he had, and achievements he made left him empty. You can see this every day when you go to school. Every day you see other students trying hard to be popular, or in the “in-crowd” of people. They are trying to be known as the best athlete, student, leader, or just plain weirdest kid. Why are they trying to fit in? They think that their identity is in their group of people they hang with. For example (share your own example) I grew up dressing like a surfer. I had never surfed my whole life. I had never stood up or rode a wave that wasn’t at a waterpark. But I wanted to be liked by everyone at the school that hung out at the beach. That pursuit of trying to do life on your own, being popular, will never fill you up. Take it from me.

There had to be a better way, Solomon thought. He wanted his life to matter. At the end of the book of Ecclesiastes, spoiler alert, we find that Solomon found fulfillment only through God. He learned God is the only one who gives us true meaning, and we only find that meaning by knowing Him and living for HIm.

The truth is, like Solomon, we are all looking for meaning and purpose in life. We are looking for our lives to matter. We look for purpose in relationships, jobs, our status, wealth. The truth is, all of these things will be “meaningless” in the end. We, like Solomon, will find that purpose and meaning comes from God. If you want your life to count, look to God. Be a part of making Him known to everyone around you.

We are going to continue this conversation in our groups now. Get ready to discuss Solomon and his search for meaning. God has so much to teach us today.

BREAK THE ICE

What do you like more: Minecraft or Legos? Which one is better?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
1. If you were to ask one of your classmates, what do you think they would tell you is the meaning of life?
2. Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-11. After reading these verses, why did Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, said “everything is meaningless?”
3. Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. What things did Solomon try to find meaning in?
4. What things do you think people look to find meaning in today?
5. Do you think people today, like Solomon, will find things they look to for meaning to be meaningless too? Why?
6. Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Where do people find true meaning, based on this verse?
7. Why is it that true meaning and purpose comes from God?

MOVING FORWARD

We will only find meaning and purpose from God. When we get to know Him better and make Him known to the people around us. He has given each of us gifts so that we can make Him known. When we use our gifts for Him, we find meaning. What are a few of the gifts that God has given you? How can you use these gifts to make a difference for Him? Share these with your group and tell them one way you can use these gifts this week!