Ready for Impact (10 minutes)
Take time to introduce yourselves to one another (over drinks or snacks if possible). Then ask group members to answer this question:
- Tell a story of a time you spoke too much, and it got you in trouble.
Over the course of the coming term, we’re exploring the ancient book of Ecclesiastes. Though Ecclesiastes comes from a very different culture and time to ours, it touches on some of the most profound issues of humanity.
Ask for volunteers to read Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 to the group, praying a short prayer that, however much they’ve come to know God, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.
Watch
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Impacted by the Word (15 minutes)
Suggested questions to help your discussion.
- Describe the problem the Teacher sees in verses 1-2.
- Why do you think the Teacher describes these actions as foolish?
- In our culture too, it’s easy to speak about God more than we listen to him. In what areas are you tempted to do this?
- Do you think verse 2’s principle means we should never talk openly to God?
- When people make unthoughtful vows (verses 4-6), what does it reveal about their view of God?
- In the context of these verses, what do you think it means to ‘fear God’ (verse 7)?
Verses 1-2 are a little confusing on first reading (like much of Ecclesiastes!). It sounds like the Teacher is warning us to be wary about approaching God. This would seem to contrast with Jesus’ warm invitation to approach God with all our needs (e.g. Matthew 5:3-6, 11:28-30).
The Teacher is not trying to put off the humble or needy. Instead, the target of his challenge is the kind of person who comes regularly to the temple to worship – but who doesn’t really think they need to learn anything. They already think they have the answers. The Teacher’s instruction ‘go near to listen’ carries the force of both paying attention and obeying (see 1 Samuel 15:22).
Jesus too is equally clear about the evil (and the dangers) of being ‘casual’ with God – see Matthew 7:21, 24-27; 23:16-22.
There were instructions on vows in the Jewish law (see Numbers 30, Deuteronomy 23:21-23). Vows were not commanded, but they were permitted – with the basic principle that, if you made a vow, you should keep it.
Jesus’ teaching confirms this – but adds that they should not really be necessary at all. Vows only exist in the first place because we all have the capacity to be untruthful. If we are truthful in our speech and have the integrity of keeping our word, a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ should suffice (see Matthew 5:34-37).
We don’t often make vows today, but the principle remains: let your speech be in line with your actions (and vice versa), or they’ll land you in trouble – none more so than when we lack integrity before God in heaven, who sees all (verse 6).
Impacting Our Hearts (10 minutes)
Ask a group member to read Psalm 19:7-14, which describes an Old Testament believers love for God’s written word.
- What strikes you about what the psalmist says about God’s word?
- How might you listen more attentively to what God has said about himself? How can you help each other in this?
Ask someone to pray in the light of your discussions for the group.
Impacting the University (10 minutes)
Students today quickly voice their opinions online.
- What wisdom might the Teacher offer when it comes to using social media?
- Where might the Teacher’s guidance be refreshing to people at your university?
- If you used social media for the good of others, what might it look like?
Pray in groups along these lines. Pray too for any other specific prayer requests that group members have, as well as for those you live amongst.
Wrap-up – think TACOS 🌮
- Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.
- Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.
- Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?
- Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.
- See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or hanging out socially in the meantime!