Break the ice. For what are you grateful in your current life stage?

Read Ecclesiastes 3:9-13.

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9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end. 12 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..

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Discuss the text. Life is hevel. One way we approach life is as a problem to solve. If life is a problem to solve, then we wring our hands in the hevel, and we try to use God to help fix our problems in life. The primary response of life as a problem to solve is fear.

Another way we approach life is as a competition to win. If life is a competition to win, then we try to navigate the hevel with wandering eyes, and the way we approach God is we try to appease him. Because we know we are not winning, the primary response of life as a competition is shame.

The only way to navigate life in a way that brings lasting joy is to receive life as a gift. Gratitude is the primary response of life as a gift. To wander through the hevel with open hands. To be present and to see the beauty in life right now. To do good and receive joy. God has made everything beautiful in its time.

1. How did you notice yourself wandering through the hevel this week? As a problem to solve, as a competition to win, or as gratitude with open hands?
2. Be present. See beauty. Do good. Receive Joy. Which of these four do you most need to process and think about for you to receive life as a gift?
3. What needs to be different for you to have lasting joy in your life? (a habit to stop, a mindset to correct, a sin to confess, etc.)

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Rest in God’s truth. We have life, and new life. We have life in the hevel and life in the new heavens and earth. Our greatest problem has been dealt with in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Therefore, we can live in gratitude as we fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. When we remember this, “thank you” becomes the primary response of our life.

Close in prayer. Open your hands and invite each person to share their gratitude as they pray aloud, God, life is a gift. You are the giver. Thank you. Amen.