Find Life’s Meaning in God

What if the things you’re counting on to make life feel meaningful just aren’t working? This week we begin a series of messages explore Ecclesiastes, a book in the Old Testament written from the perspective of an aged king as he reflects on his past pursuits of knowledge, pleasure, work, success, and wealth—and why none of them ultimately satisfied him. We’ll explore the tension between our deep desire for purpose and the limits of what life “under the sun” can deliver. Along the way, we’ll see how this ancient perspective still mirrors the modern pursuit of fulfillment in our careers, relationships, and ambitions. And discover how a bigger story reframes everything we’re chasing. Watch Full Service [https://youtu.be/6rpf8kuGvwQ?si=8xBTgBMrj8WQOAZy] DISCUSSION GUIDE ---------------------------------------- To view a .docx version of this guide, click here. [https://jofwebassets.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/21140125/Everything-is-Meaningful-Week-1-2.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  Last week, we finished our series called The Road and were reminded to share our spiritual story with others and share our gratitude for the people who have helped us along the way. How did that go this week?  This week, we begin a new series in Ecclesiastes. It’s one of the most honest books in the Bible. It wrestles with questions many of us carry but don’t always say out loud: Does my work really matter? Why do good things feel temporary? Is there something more?  Written from the perspective of an aged king, Qoheleth (which means Preacher or Teacher) has explored life from every angle and invites us to consider where lasting meaning can truly be found.  CONNECT  * What are some things people chase today, hoping they will bring meaning or satisfaction?  * Have you ever worked hard for something and then felt unexpectedly underwhelmed once you got it?  * Where do you feel the tension between enjoying life and searching for deeper purpose?  OPENING  Ecclesiastes gives us an honest look at what happens when we search for meaning in the things of this world alone. Qoheleth (pronounced like “Go yell it.”) had access to everything—resources, success, pleasure—and still found himself asking, Is this really it?  That doesn’t mean those things are bad. It means they were never meant to carry the full weight of our meaning.  When we expect temporary things to give us ultimate purpose, they eventually fall short. But when God becomes the center, those same things can take on a different kind of meaning.  This leads us to our main idea for the week:  WE SHOULD FIND OUR MEANING IN LIFE THROUGH A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.  UNPACK  Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward, discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses.  Read  Ecclesiastes 2:17–18  In this passage, Qoheleth reflects on everything he accomplished and expresses how empty it felt when viewed apart from God.  * What emotions or reactions stand out in this passage?  * Why do you think all his accomplishments began to feel meaningless?  * Where do you see people today chasing things that don’t ultimately satisfy?  Read  Psalm 127:1–2  In this passage, the psalmist reflects on the limits of human effort and the importance of God’s presence in our work and striving.  * How might the original readers of this have related to the building metaphor?  * What does this passage say about working hard without God at the center?  * How does this shift the way we think about success or achievement?  Read  Matthew 11:28–30  In this passage, Jesus invites people who are tired and burdened to find rest with him.  * It’s believed that Jesus is talking about religious burdens. What kind of burdens do people face in their religious or spiritual life?   * How does Jesus’ invitation contrast with the pressure to achieve or prove ourselves?  * What might be the relationship between the “rest” that Jesus offers and finding meaning in our relationship with God?   ACTION STEP  This is where we take what we’ve discussed and put it into practice! Read the action steps below and discuss how you can live them out this week in practical ways.  1. Identify one area where you’ve been striving for meaning or validation.  Is there something in your life—success, approval, comfort, control—that you’ve been relying on more than God?  2. Practice re-centering that area around God this week.  This could look like pausing to pray before work, releasing pressure to perform, or reminding yourself that your worth is not based on outcomes.  As you think about these steps, what will you commit to this week? Share with the group so you can encourage and pray for one another.  CLOSING  Ecclesiastes gives us permission to be honest about life. It acknowledges that even our best efforts can feel empty when we carry them on our own.  But the story doesn’t end in emptiness. When we bring God into the center of our lives, everything begins to shift. Work, relationships, and everyday moments may not become perfect—but they become meaningful in a deeper, more lasting way.  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  Bryan and Jacinda Martin  **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  The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines by teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment.   Prayer Requests:  * That they would be able to enter five new communities in the next four years  * For continued and new partners to help support their ministry  SPEND A FEW MINUTES IN PRAYER FOR BRYAN AND JACINDA  REFLECTION VERSE FOR THE WEEK  Read this verse, then encourage the practice of reflection and memorization throughout the week.  Ecclesiastes 2:11  “But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind.”  When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us.  DAILY DEVOTIONAL VERSES  ---------------------------------------- Use the “Discovery Method” to reflect on the verses below.  For each passage of Scripture, ask yourself these questions:    * What do these verses reveal about who God is?   * What do these verses reveal about us/others?   * What do these verses invite or inspire you to think, feel, or do?   Each day this week, you’ll read a verse related to the pursuits that the writer of Ecclesiastes found to be empty without God.  Day 1: Proverbs 9:10 (knowledge/wisdom)  Day 2: Psalm 16:11 (pleasure)  Day 3: Matthew 6:19-21 (accomplishments/possessions)  Day 4: Colossians 3:23 (hard work)  Day 5: Micah 6:8 (justice)  Day 6: Mark 10:43-44 (power/politics)  The post Find Life’s Meaning in God [https://journeyoffaith.com/messages/find-lifes-meaning-in-god/] appeared first on Journey of Faith [https://journeyoffaith.com].