Sermon Discussion

Message: Ecclesiastes – Pleasure

Text: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Introduction

The misconception about God is that He doesn’t want us to have fun and take pleasure in our lives. We think God’s laws and expectations as hindrance to our personal enjoyment of life. However, the truth is that God wants us to enjoy the blessings and pleasures of our lives. However, this enjoyment can only be found and experienced fully in God. Our lives become empty, meaningless, and “chasing after the wind” when we become engrossed in the material gifts and not the Gift-Giver. We chase after worldly pleasures but find that they only temporarily with happiness. But true and everlasting joy comes from seeking after God.

Discussion Questions

1. Finish this sentence: “I’ll be happy when….”
2. Solomon was seeking happiness and meaning in life. But what does that mean? How would you define these terms: happiness and meaning?
3. Between happiness and meaning, which is more important? Why? How can you tell when you are beginning to desire the lesser of the two about the one that is more important?
4. Does seeking your own happiness sound self-centered? Aren't Christians supposed to seek God, not their own pleasure? ( Hint: We value most what we delight in most. Pleasure is not God's competitor, idols are. Pleasure is simply a gauge that measures how valuable someone or something is to us. Pleasure is the measure of our treasure.)

Moving Forward

Hedonism is the belief that pleasure is the sole good. Pleasure and the pursuit of it will make you happy. Solomon becomes a hedonist who pursues these things with unparalleled gusto. Similarly, we all want to be happy and so we live solely for the pursuit of pleasure. However, our problem is not that we are hedonists, but rather that we are too easily pleased. And because we have settled for these “simple pleasures,” we live lives in meaningless and “chasing after the wind.” However, God invites us to experience true pleasure in Him.

Meditate

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.       - Psalm 16:11

The Source of Forgiveness

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  - Genesis 50:19-20 

It doesn't matter where you live, what you do, who you surround yourself with, people will disappoint you. Not only that, they might even hurt you with their words and actions, intentionally or unintentionally. We've all experienced this at one time or another in our lives, and though we can't control other people's actions or words, we can control how we respond. So how do we respond?

CS Lewis says "Every one says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive." Indeed, it is a lovely yet difficult concept when it has to be applied in our personal lives. Yet, it is only through forgiveness that we break the bondage of bitterness, hatred, resentment, and anger. It is only through forgiveness, do we find the freedom to enter into a relationship with others.

Yet, what is the source of our forgiveness? Is it because we are so good, generous, and abounding in love? We may think and pray that God gives us a larger heart that will allow us to forgive, however, the true source of lasting and unconditional forgiveness comes from recognizing how big God's love is for our lives, and not how much we can love. It is recognizing the times that we have failed and sinned against God, yet He still forgives us. It is seeing that when we don't deserve the good things in life, He gives it to us anyways.

I believe that this is the source that Joseph draws upon to be able to truly forgive his brothers. Despite the evils of what Joseph's brothers had done toward him, he reflects upon what God has done in his life. Joseph recognizes that God is the one ultimately in control.  His brothers did not recognize this when they sold him into slavery. If Joseph refused to forgive his brothers, he would also fall into the same thinking as his brothers. Instead, he chose to forgive.

Forgiving others for when they have wronged you requires much courage. It takes courage to see that God is greater than you and them. It takes courage to give up control of the situation and to leave it in God's hands instead of holding on to it. So when we are at these crossroads, pray that God opens our eyes to the greatness of His love for our lives, and that by seeing it, we will have the courage to forgive.

Something to think about:

1. What is your initial reaction to the concept of forgiveness? Do you react in denial, anger, self-righteousness, or judgment? Do you perhaps feel hostile toward the whole idea of forgiveness as a necessity? 

2. Is it possible to forgive someone fully if they have not asked for it?  Does this deal with the sin/wrong in a just way?  Does it show real love to ignore the sin?  Does it minimize and even condone the sin if it is not dealt with?   In what circumstances is it possible to forgive someone without their confession and repentance?

Community Service Activities

The following is a list of possible community service activities that your MCG can be involved with:

There are people in your community who need your help!

• Help someone learn how to read!
• Teach English classes!
• Lead G.E.D. classes!
• Make a difference in someone’s life!
• Give the gift of your time and talent!

Please call Marissa Cannon at 253-838-6810 Ext. 138

Multi-Service Center

1200 S 336^th St.

Federal Way, WA 98003

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The Thursday Community Supper, a program of the Federal Way Community Caregiving Network, feeds 75-115 low income and homeless people at Calvary Lutheran Church every week.

We are currently in need of volunteers for the following holiday meals:

Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

New Year’s Eve

We need people to help with:

• Registration table 4:00-6:00
• Set up for meal 3:15-4:00
• Lead cook and assistant cooks 2:30-6:00
• Servers 4:30-6:15
• SOS table 4:30-6:00
• Cleanup 4:30-7:00 or 5:45-7:00
• Provide decorations for 17 tables (can be delivered days before)

For more information or to volunteer contact Heather at h2busy@yahoo.com or 253-508-4556.

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Communities In Schools (CIS) of Federal Way is looking for caring adults who are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor. A Volunteer Mentor serves as an adult friend and positive role model for student in grades 5 – 12 within the Federal Way School District. A mentor and student meet for at least 45 minutes per week at a school-based location with a minimum commitment of one school year. The CIS mentoring program is not an academic tutoring program. Although mentors may help students with homework assignments or questions related to school work, the primary goal of the mentor is to show a sincere interest in the success of the student and to establish a caring mentor-mentee relationship… Because schools can’t do it alone.

For more Information, please visit our website (www.cisfederalway.org) and/or contact Talya Silver, Mentor Program Coordinator at 253-528-0847 or talyas@federalwaychamber.com).

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The Family Partnership Office of the Federal Way School District, is looking for volunteer facilitators to help lead discussions and put on workshops and trainings with parents and guardians in the neighborhoods where our students and families live. The workshops and trainings focus on helping students succeed in school and life while providing meaningful two-way communication and student support strategies in a variety of venues and times of the day.
To find out more, contact Trise Moore 253-945-2273 tmoore@fwps.org

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Volunteer Chore Services

Volunteer Drivers Needed!   Many Elders and Adults living with disabilities go without much needed medical treatments due to the simple lack of transportation!  We are looking for volunteer drivers who would be available once or twice per week to help transport these individuals to/from medical appointments and pharmacies.  Volunteers must be available on weekdays for approximately 2 hours each trip.  This is an ongoing opportunity and we are very happy to work around your schedule!  Mileage is reimbursed at .44 per mile.  For additional information, please contact Kizzie Funkhouser at 253-850-2509 or KizzieF@ccsww.org, or visit the Volunteer Chore Services website at www.ccsww.org/vcs.

Group Opportunity!  Living in their own home, an elderly, disabled family is much in need of a good cleaning!  Ms B is legally blind, living with limited mobility, and the primary caregiver for her disabled grandson who lives with her.  Vacuuming, carpet cleaning, floor scrubbing, kitchen washing are all very needed to help this family live in a healthy environment.  Outdoor assistance would also be a blessing, including raking, pruning and weeding if the weather permits!   Household does have several pets, so volunteers with allergies be prepared. For additional information, please contact Kizzie Funkhouser at 253-850-2509 or KizzieF@ccsww.org, or visit the Volunteer Chore Services website at www.ccsww.org/vcs.

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Habitat for Humanity, Seattle/South King County

Calling all volunteers………

Come join us, in partnership with families, build and renovate houses in the South Sound area.

Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County is busy renovating and building in the West Way neighborhood in Federal Way and in the Pacific area.

If you would like to help us build simple decent houses for families, please email or call us for details today.

email: mmartin@seattle.org

phone: (206) 292-5240 extension 112

Sermon Discussion

Message: Ecclesiastes – Faith

Text: Ecclesiastes 1

Introduction

In this message, Pastor Charlton goes through the first chapter of Ecclesiastes and examines what Solomon has determined about life and all the things of this world. The conclusion is that all the things of life, including pleasure, power, wealth, and fame, are meaningless. What gives life meaning is not the things we can hear, see, touch, feel, or taste, instead it requires a sixth sense, faith. Without faith, we will not be able understand and accept the value and meaning of life that Christ brings.

Discussion Questions

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? What happened?
2. What do you see people do in order to find meaning for their lives?
3. Do you detect a sense of “chasing the wind” in our world today among the people you know? That is, do you see people who are frustrated, worried and uncertain concerning what their lives are all about? People who are struggling to distraction, if not despair to figure out the big questions of life? In what ways do you see this?
4. Read Psalm 39:4-6; 90:9-12; and James 4:13-17. Why does the Bible emphasize the brevity of life? What will it take for me to maximize my life and the allotted days that God has given me?
5. The issue is not that wealth, power, fame, beauty, and talent are bad things. But what is bad is when they become the ultimate thing in our lives. How do we know that these things have become an ultimate thing in our lives? How does the faith community help the members to see this in their lives?

Moving Forward

As we go through life, we need to take a moment to ask ourselves this very important question: “What gives my life meaning?” We answer it not by mere words but by how we live our lives. Family, work, relationships, church, and everything else are gifts from God. But they are not the reasons we live. Instead, we must turn to God in faith to find our meaning and purpose in Him. 

Meditate

Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.  – Psalm 39: 6

Sermon Discussion Guide

Sermon: Brokeness

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Introduction

We construct our lives for our own comfort, passions, and securities. Thus, when troubles overwhelm us, we lose control of the perfect plans in our lives. Yet, in this state of brokenness in our minds, emotions, and will, God reaches out to uplift us and use us for His will. Pastor Charlton shares of how God uses our brokenness to show His glory in our lives. It is in brokenness that God transforms our lives into instruments of power and glory for Himself.

Discussion Questions

 

1. What was the largest sandcastle you ever built? How long did it last? 
2. In the message, Pastor Charlton mentions six signs that indicate you need to be broken: independence/isolation, prayerlessness, indifference/apathy, un-teachable, unsynchronized life, and busyness. Which of these do you identify most closely with? Why?
3.  What’s the difference between temptation from Satan and trials from God? How do we know the difference? How should we deal with each of it?
4.  Read vs. 10. Why is it in our brokenness that Christ is revealed more clearly? When was the last time you experienced something like this?
5. What are the ways we, as a community, respond to someone in trials? How do we know someone is in trials? Encourage each member to reach out to one other member in the group during the week.

Moving Forward

The issue is not how you respond if troubles come. The reality is how do you respond when troubles come into your life? God uses hardship to break us from the idols we worship in our lives. God allows trials to tear down the security and comfort that we work so hard to achieve through our careers, our finances, our families, our relationships, etc. It is through the trials and hardship that we come to realize our only security is in God’s love, His unfailing love for us.

Meditate

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.                                                                                                             - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Sermon Discussion Guide

Sermon: How Do You Pray?

Text: Ephesians 3:14-21

Introduction

Our prayer reflects our understanding (or lack of understanding) of who God is and who we are. Paul’s prayer in this passage of Ephesians reflects of his understanding of God’s will for the believers: that they experience God’s transformation within their character; and they will be experience the limitless love of God. These two things will not only help the believers grow in their faith and maturity in Christ but ultimately lead to glorifying God through their lives.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the longest prayer you have heard? When, where, and what occasion?

2. In verse 14, Paul states “For this reason I kneel before the Father.” What does this indicate about how Paul views his position in comparison to God? Why is it important that we need to approach God in this same position?

3. In verse 16 and 17, Paul prays that Christ dwells within the believer’s inner being. When Christ dwells within our inner being, our character should begin to change. Have you seen evidence of this within your life? If so, please share.

4. In verse 19, Paul prays that the believers may “know this love that surpasses knowledge.” Describe a time or circumstance in your life when you experienced God’s love when it didn’t make sense or beyond your expectations.

5. What do you think will happen if the goal or ultimate end of all our prayers or petitions is about self-improvement? Why is important that the end goal be the glorification of God for any and all our prayers?

6. How do we, as a community, help each other discern prayers that just focus on self-improvement and prayers that focus on glorifying God?

Moving Forward

Many times in difficult situation or circumstances, our problems seem really big and complex. Prayer helps us focus on someone that is greater than our problems, God. As we pray, God will work in our lives to either change the situation or work within our hearts to change our perspective of the situation, or both. Ultimately, we need to keep the perspective that whatever we ask for needs to have the final goal of glorifying God.

Meditate

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.                   - Ephesians 3:20-21

Sermon Discussion Guide

Sermon: Chosen To Be Blessed

Text: Ephesians 1:3-8

Introduction

Whether we realize it or not, God loves us unconditionally and pours out blessing upon our lives. He does so not because we are good people or we have done good things for God. Instead, it is out of His grace that He blesses our lives. In this message, Pastor Yun reminds us of our status as the chosen sons and daughters of Christ and of the blessings that comes from this status.

Discussion Questions

1. What was the best gift you ever got? Who did you receive it from? What was the occasion? Why was it so special?
   
   
2. Read Ephesians 1:4. Why is important for us to know and understand that it is God who first chose us and not the other way around? What are the implications if it was us that chose God?
   
   
3. Read Ephesians 1:6-7. Personally in your life, what are some evidences of God’s blessings that you have seen in the past? How does it make you feel now remembering these things? How does it affect your perspective about your future?
   
   
4. In verse 5, it says that God gave us blessings “in accordance to his pleasure and will.” This means that God enjoys blessing us and that it is according to His plans that we receive these blessings. What are some of the things in our lives that prevent us from fully seeing and experiencing these blessings from God?
   
   
5. As a community, how should we respond to God’s blessings? What do you think God wants us to do with these blessings?

Moving Forward

When life gets hard, it is easy to forget all the goodness and blessings that God has given to each of our lives. We need to be reminded that God gives because who He is and not because of who we are. It is in God’s nature to be giving. As those who are chosen to be His sons and daughters, we are called to thanksgiving and praise in acknowledgment of God’s presence. We are also called to learn to be givers and blessings upon others around us.

Meditate

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. - Ephesians 1:4