August 4: Am I Headed for Failure?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hollie Family Update

Thanks so much for all you did for the Hollie's. The very generous gifts from your group will really help them with their transition back to the states. Continue to pray for them as they seek and prepare for God's next assignment.

Contacting Absentees

Now that we are entering the new school year please begin following up with absentees. I know that many folks have been traveling but it is vital that they know they are missed. Remember our study last week regarding the strength in friendships? Be a friend who will strengthen others. Encourage your Care Groups to do the same. We need each other!

Important Training Dates for the Fall

LIFE CLASS - The HeART of Teaching. 

You will be receiving a snail mail letter from me toward the end of this week encouraging you to attend this teacher development course David and I are teaching. I hope you will consider coming. If you want to go ahead and register you may do so now: CLICK TO REGISTER

Transform: Teaching That Changes Lives
September 28, First Baptist Nashville

Mark your calendar for this very unique event sponsored by LifeWay. I know it is your heart desire to teach God’s Word in a way that people’s lives are transformed; That is the goal of Transform. One of the finest faculties in the nation will gather for a day of training that could have a life changing impact on your teaching. This is the one major fall training event that we are expecting every teacher to try and attend if at all possible. Be sure to mark your calendar. More info to follow.

BIBLE STUDY SESSION

THE TARGET: Focus on what adults should leave knowing, understanding and doing.

Adults will answer the question, "Am I headed for failure?" Adults will be challenged to reject trusting temporal pursuits for meaning and to use wealth, position, and success in a God-pleasing way.

Watch the rabbits this week

Be careful not to allow the study to drift into political and personal attacks as the group discusses examples of people corrupted by money or possessions. 

Adjusted outline

I switched the last two outline points and passages to drive home the main target of the study. I have also tweaked the outline titles to better align with the title of the lesson and the Scripture passages.

Suggested Resources

Consider using excerpts from the following article or emailing the article to your group. It is a great article: http://www.charismamag.com/life/men/16655-materialism-comes-with-a-dark-side 

Email your group the above mentioned article or the following: "Fame, fortune, and promotions—is that what God wants? On Sunday, let’s discuss how we can define success that leads to peace not turmoil."

Video: Detroit in Ruins. http://youtu.be/iTxeCkUiHhs . Consider using with Ecclesiastes 5:8-9. Warning: Avoid unproductive political or racial debates while discussing the plight of Detroit. The point: Pursuing position and wealth can lead to dishonesty that destroys people's lives and livelihood.

LOOK UP: "Soft methods" to draw attention to the study as adults are arriving, visitin, and gathering for Bible study.

Write the following on the markerboard: "I'll do whatever it takes to get what I want".  Once most adults have arrived, read the following illustration:

“I’ll do whatever it takes to get what I want,” boasted Ted. A coworker had asked Ted for his reaction to some unethical business practices being quietly promoted at the company where they worked. Ted’s lifestyle was extravagant for his position in the company. He was brand-conscious about everything he owned and was obsessed with keeping up to date on the latest trends. By his own admission, Ted didn’t much care what rules he violated, so long as he succeeded in his goals. (ETB Leader Guide)

Call attention to Teds statement on the markerboard. Ask: What is wrong with this kind of thinking? What does it lead to? How does our culture reflect this statement today? Have you seen examples of this in the news this week? (i.e. athletes using drugs; politicians overlooking their personal sin, etc.)

Transition & Context

Our culture today is highly materialistic. Many people today make it their goal to pursue position (power), wealth, and self-sufficiency. That priority has led to practices that are immoral and even illegal. It has led others to become workaholics, sacrificing their spiritual lives, church responsibilities, and families on the altar of “getting ahead.” God wants people to acknowledge Him as the Giver of all good gifts, including their material resources, and to become good stewards of those gifts.

The Israelite monarchy was a little more than a century old when King Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes. Early in their history, the Israelites faced a formidable military threat from the Philistines. The Philistine army was superior in technology and organization. So initially the king’s primary responsibility was to be a military deliverer. The first king, Saul, failed miserably. The second king, David (Solomon’s father), united the Israelite tribes and ended the Philistine threat. This led to a time of prosperity, expansion, and relative peace during Solomon’s reign. (ETB Leader Guide)

Imagine being Solomon. He was incomparably wealthy, surpassing all the kings of his day. His vast wealth is described in 1 Kings 10:14-29. Yet his wealth was made possible only as a gift from God (see 1 Kings 3:13).  As we look at chapters 5 & 6 of Ecclesiastes, Solomon will share his wisdom, as one who made it to the top of his game. He offers wisdom regarding what the pursuit of position, wealth, and self-sufficiency can do to one's character.

LOOK IN: Ideas for unpacking the text.

Pursuing Position Can Lead To Dishonesty

Have a volunteer read:  Eccl. 5:8-9

Explain:

As the Israelite head of state, King Solomon witnessed corruption within his government. It was apparently more widespread as the distance from the capital increased. Furthermore, it existed at all levels within the government. Many local officials considered dishonest gains as one of the “perks” of their jobs.  Solomon counseled his readers not to be astonished by the existence of such dishonesty. He didn’t approve of such practices by any means, but he recognized their inevitability in a fallen world. 

Discussion options:

• Discover Study Guide (DSG), p69: Who is identified in theses passages as suffering at the bottom of a pyramid of corruption and bearing the burden of the officials' dishonesty?
• Use the video: Detroit in Ruins. http://youtu.be/iTxeCkUiHhs or describe the fall of the Detroit economy based on news articles. Explain how much of the problem stems from people trying to pursue wealth and power - many of whom probably crossed the line with dishonest practices. 
• As one who is watching from a distance, how has the results of Detroit's decline effected the people? 
• Are you surprised by the corruption you observe today? Why or why not?
• What are other examples of dishonest gain today?
• What are the results for individuals? For our culture?
• How can we avoid becoming like those described in Ecclesiastes 5:8-9?
• DSG, p69: What is your responsibility when you observe oppression because of corruption or dishonesty? What would keep you from intervening?

Transition:

Beware of being led into dishonest practices by a desire to get ahead. Solomon was troubled by the injustice he observed. He realized that political corruption was inescapable. A few individuals will always abuse their power. We need to hold leaders and ourselves accountable and strive not to practice abusive and dishonest methods in our daily dealings with others.

Pursuing Wealth Can Lead to Loneliness?

Have a volunteer read: Eccl. 5:10-16

Discussion Options:

• How would you paraphrase verses 10-11? (As wealth increases, so too do disbursements. Once someone pursuing money reaches a goal, they have to raise it higher. If they own a business, they have to continue to look for ways to get people to buy what they sell, costs rise, you need more workers, you have to pay more taxes, etc. If the goal is making money then the person will never be satisfied.)
• How is this illustrated personally with credit card abuse?
• DSG, p70: What does your credit card statement suggest about your love of money or material goods? How much time do you spend on money management? How does it compare to other pursuits in your life?
• Verse 12: Why does the abundance of the rich permit him no sleep? Why does one who works hard sleep well? What does it say about the hard workers socioeconomic level? (If he works hard, he sleeps well whether he earns a lot or a little.) What does this say about the motives of the hard worker?
• Verse 13: How would you summarize verses 13-16? (The rich will leave this life with nothing! One bad venture and all that someone has gained will be lost. In the end, you can't take it with you!)
• Is it wrong to be rich? (no)
• Is it wrong to strive to be successful? (no)
• How would you explain what Solomon is trying to say then? (The key is in verse 10, "The one who loves money and wealth." This is what leaves one lonely and unsatisfied.)
• How can wealth bring fulfillment? (Use it to help others and to glorify God)
• What do your actions reveal about the true object of your love? What modifications to your life does this suggest need to be made? (ETB Leader Guide)

Transition:

No matter how big a fortune we might amass, it will never be enough. We will spend our lives in pursuit of more unless we have a God perspective toward success. Solomon declared that an obsessive pursuit of wealth cannot bring satisfaction. It can only bring loneliness unless there is a relationship with Christ that has kept us focused. The pursuer always wants more. Furthermore, one poor decision can leave individuals in poverty. God’s people must protect against the ways in which money can lead to destructive behavior.

Pursuing Self Sufficiency Can Lead to Frustration

Have a volunteer read: Eccl. 6:10-12

Explain:

The last segment of chapter six focuses on human weakness. Solomon begins with an assertion that humankind has not changed since God created Adam. Solomon, the Teacher, advised his readers not to contend with God. He is superior in every way to human beings.

Discussion Options:

• What was mans role in the naming of the animals and his relationship to God? (He was given the privilege of naming the animals and he was made in God's image). 
• Explain that there is one important word in verse 10, "But." 
• What does this verse say about the extent of man's power? (We have limitations.) 
• How can we learn to be content with our limitations?
• Verse 12: Who does know what is good for man in life? (God does.) How can we know what is good for us?
• Verse 13: Who can tell man what will happen after he dies? (We cannot predict the future but God knows the future and holds our eternal destiny in His hands, see Isa. 44:7; 46:10)

Transition:

Pursuing power leads to dishonesty; pursuing money leads to loneliness and emptiness; pursuing self-sufficiency will only lead to frustration. We are going to go back to Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 to learn what a proper perspective should be. 

Pursuing God Leads to Joy
Have a volunteer read: Eccl. 5:18-20

Explain:  

Periodically the Teacher paused in his search for the meaning of life in order to comment on his findings up to that point. Ecclesiastes 5:18 introduces one of these provisional conclusions. (ETB Leader Guide)

Discussion Options:

• God's name is mentioned four times in these passages. What do the phrases connected with God's name say about a proper perspective regarding position, wealth, and self-sufficiency?
• Verse 19 states that God has given riches and wealth to every man. 
• Share some ways God has given you riches and wealth. (i.e. family, a house to live in, a place to sleep, opportunities to serve Him, etc.) 
• In what ways can we enjoy our riches and wealth while still honoring God?
• What does verse 20 say about one who recognizes all he has is given to him by God? ("he does not often consider the days of his life; there is joy in his heart") 
• How do we attain this perspective? (It first begins with a relationship with Christ. He becomes the "joy of our heart." As we grow in Christ, we become less consumed with pursuing things that are temporal. The relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ enables the believer to appreciate the entirety of life. Old age has the same appeal as youth.)

LOOK OUT: Hitting the target and applying it to daily living.

Position, wealth, or self-sufficiency is no substitute for a relationship with Christ. If you trade your integrity or precious time to pursue these you will cause serious damage to your relationship with Him and it will effect all those around you. Don't wait until you have "arrived" to fully embrace a relationship with Christ. A growing relationship in Christ always keeps our pursuits in check and proper perspective and gives us a joy that can't be explained.

Ask the group to consider silently the following:

1. Repent if pursuing position and influence has led you to act dishonestly in any way.

2. Realize that accumulating and hoarding wealth never brings true contentment but loneliness.

3. Be grateful for the sufficiency you have in Christ so you can overcome the frustration that is produced by trying to become self-sufficient.

Application:

Ask the group to identify one person they could share with this week about the joy of life they have because of all the riches they have in Christ.