A Life Built to Last

If your future self could talk to you today, what would they say? In this final week of our series Everything’s Meaningful, we’re invited to step back and consider the kind of life we’re building—and where it’s ultimately leading. We’ll explore what it means to live wisely and intentionally, not someday, but starting now. Tomorrow begins today, so we’ll look at what it takes to trust God’s direction as we move forward into whatever comes next. Together, discover how to step into the future with purpose, clarity, and a sense of calling.  Watch Full Service [https://youtu.be/-B6H-gVPLu0] DISCUSSION GUIDE ---------------------------------------- To view a .docx version of the guide, click here. [https://jofwebassets.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/11143229/Everything-is-Meaningful-Week-4.docx] BEFORE WE BEGIN, LET’S TAKE A QUIET MOMENT AND PRAY FOR GOD’S DIRECTION OF OUR TIME TOGETHER. THEN WE’LL TAKE A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO GO AROUND AND SHARE WHERE WE’VE SEEN GOD AT WORK IN OUR LIVES THIS WEEK.  INTRODUCTION  Throughout this series, we’ve been exploring how life can feel confusing or even meaningless at times—but how, with God, meaning deepens. This week brings everything together. Instead of just asking how to find meaning in moments, we’re invited to step back and consider the kind of life we’re building over time. What would it look like to live now in a way that leads to a meaningful finish?  CONNECT  * Who is someone from a different generation who has positively influenced you?  * What’s something you’ve learned over time that you wish you’d known earlier?  * If your future self could give you advice, what do you think they’d say?  OPENING  There are moments in life when you step back and realize—you’re becoming someone. Not all at once, but slowly, through the choices you make, the voices you listen to, and the direction you follow.  Ecclesiastes gives us the perspective of someone who has lived long enough to see what lasts and what doesn’t. And if they could speak to us now, the message wouldn’t be complicated: Don’t wait to live wisely. Don’t drift. Pay attention to your life while you still have the time and energy to shape it.  Because the future you don’t just arrive at—it’s being formed right now. And God is inviting you, even today, to step into a life of meaning, purpose, and direction.  This leads us to our main idea for the week: BECAUSE OF JESUS, WE CAN LIVE EVERY DAY WITH GREAT MEANING.  UNPACK  Read  Ecclesiastes 11:9–10  The aging king of Ecclesiastes encourages people to enjoy life while they’re young, but to do so with an awareness that our choices matter before God.  * What stands out to you about the balance between joy and responsibility in this passage?  * How do you see people either ignoring joy or ignoring responsibility today?  * What would it look like to live with both freedom and wisdom?  Read  Matthew 7:24–25  Jesus describes a wise person as someone who not only hears his words but puts them into practice, building a life on a solid foundation.  * What stands out to you in Jesus’ house-building metaphor?   * What does it look like, practically, to “build your life” on Jesus’ teaching?  * When or where is it easier to hear the truth than to actually live it out?  Read  Philippians 2:12–13  Paul reminds believers that following God is both something we actively step into and something God is actively working within us.  * What do you think Paul means by “showing the results of your salvation”?  * What do you notice about the partnership between your effort and God’s work in this passage?  * Where or how do you sense God prompting or nudging you right now?  ACTION STEP  CHOOSE ONE STEP THIS WEEK THAT REFLECTS LIVING WISELY AND RESPONDING TO GOD’S DIRECTION.  Here are a couple of ideas:  * Seek godly wisdom from someone of a different generation.   * Pay attention to where you feel prompted or nudged by God—and act on it.  CLOSING  Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is fragile and limited—but that’s not meant to discourage us. It’s meant to wake us up.  When we bring our lives—and even our mortality—into a relationship with God, everything begins to shift. We start to live with purpose, love more intentionally, and find meaning that lasts beyond temporary circumstances.  PRAY TOGETHER  As we wrap up, we’ll go around and invite anyone to share anything they’d like prayer for together. You can share or just pass. Also, below is a Journey of Faith Missionary we can pray for as we close.  MISSIONARY FOCUS  M and L  For some of our missionaries, certain details are kept private to protect their safety and the sensitive nature of their work. Thank you for understanding as we share what we can.  Ministry Description  M. and L. are called to minister in the Middle East and are working through their mission organization to send out missionaries to plant churches in unreached areas.  Prayer Requests:  * For M to have favor with local government as he continues to collaborate with them for his ministry.   * That the Lord would continue to bring L women to minister to  SPEND A FEW MINUTES IN PRAYER FOR M AND L  REFLECTION VERSE FOR THE WEEK  Ecclesiastes 12:13  “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.”  Take time this week to reflect on and even memorize this verse. Let it shape how you think about what really matters and the kind of life you’re building.  DAILY DEVOTIONAL VERSES  ---------------------------------------- Use the Discovery Method:  * What do these verses reveal about God?  * What do they reveal about us?  * What do they invite you to think, feel, or do?  Day 1: Ecclesiastes 12:1  Day 2: Psalm 90:12  Day 3: Proverbs 9:10  Day 4: Luke 6:46–49  Day 5: Philippians 2:12–13  Day 6: Ephesians 5:15–16  Day 7: 1 John 3:23  The post A Life Built to Last [https://journeyoffaith.com/messages/a-life-built-to-last/] appeared first on Journey of Faith [https://journeyoffaith.com].