Your Soul Needs a Future
February 4, 2024
From medicine to technology, plastic surgery to space exploration, humans have been on a constant quest for meaning and eternal life. From the moment we were exiled from the Garden and lost access to the Tree of Life, all striving has been an effort to regain eternity. Why? Because our souls need a future. Join us for part 5 of The Care and Feeding of the Human Soul as we talk about the eternal nature of every human soul.
Passage
John 15
Principle
Your soul needs a ##future##.
Practice
Strive to fill every moment of your life “with a conscious ##awareness## of and ##surrender## to God’s presence.” – John Ortberg
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couples or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
What are some things people do to extend their life expectancy? What are ways people try to extend their legacies after death? Why do you think people spend so much effort extending their lives and the reach of their legacies? Is this something Christians should be concerned with? Why or why not?
HEAR
Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
- Who wrote this book, and what do you know about the author?
- What is the root of his dilemma? Have you ever felt this way?
- Read Ecclesiastes 3:11. This verse speaks both of time and eternity. How do you understand this verse, considering our human condition?
Read Ecclesiastes 1:12-14 & 2:1-11
- Where did Solomon seek meaning? What was his conclusion?
- Do people still search for meaning in these areas? Do you? How has your search for meaning compared to Solomon’s?
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
- These verses speak both of time and eternity. How does this explain our frustrated search for meaning?
- Read Ecclesiastes 12:1, 6-7, & 13. Whom does Solomon tell his reader to remember? How does he conclude the matter?
- How do you relate the teachings of Ecclesiastes to Jesus Christ?
HUDDLE
When are you most aware of God and your relationship with Him? When are you least aware? What will you do this week to remain focused on Him throughout every moment of every day? Talk about it, invite accountability, and take time to pray together.
Daily Reading
This week’s reading plan comes from the book of Ecclesiastes. This book recounts Solomon’s search for the meaning of life.
- Day 1: Ecclesiastes 1 & 2
- Day 2: Ecclesiastes 3 & 4
- Day 3: Ecclesiastes 5 & 6
- Day 4: Ecclesiastes 7
- Day 5: Ecclesiastes 8 & 9
- Day 6: Ecclesiastes 10 & 11
- Day 7: Ecclesiastes 12
Think Deeper
- Have you ever felt that life was too short?
- What are some of the ways you have tried to extend your life?
- What are you doing to remain in Christ every moment of every day?
Suggested Reading
Soul Keeping, by John Ortberg
The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB.