Description:
This study guide examines Revelation 3: 15-16 and Ecclesiastes 3: 9-14, and helps you learn to fully trust God and to live a life that is more than just the “sum of your human existence.” God’s strength will help you face life’s challenges and bring peace to your heart. Escape “living in a gray world” and discover God’s purpose for you on Earth.
Message from Marsh: “May your personal walk with the Lord lead you to be transformed, renewed and blessed.”
Marsh
Founder/President/"Survivor"
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Do You Live In A "Gray World," Without Trusting God?
(www.mensgroup.org – “Original Study”)
PRAY: A suggested opening prayer for small group members or individuals to invite God to connect with them as they seek Him in his Word. Please feel free to add your own words “in prayer.”
Lord, please help me to trust you more as I face new challenges and obstacles in my life. Give me strength to live life as you intended and to fulfill your purpose for me on earth. Help me to live in your light and feel the blessings you freely bestow on me.
READ: Scripture Reference (Revelation 3:15-16)
Key Verse: “I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth.” Holy Bible – New International Version
The devotional below focuses on drawing small group members and individuals deeper into the text and helps in personally engaging with Scripture.
Revelation 3:15-16 speaks directly to us as men. Many men try to live their lives trying to protect themselves from the pain and tribulations we face on earth. Thus, men try to live life “on the average” or live a life that is neither “hot nor cold”, but lukewarm.
Living a lukewarm life is actually living in a “gray world” because you are missing out on the joys and blessings God intends for us. It also means you are missing the personal growth that emerges from experiencing the troubles and tribulations our life on Earth brings us. Living a life without facing pain and loss is living in an “artificial world,” a life without God.
By living a lukewarm life you are trying to suspend yourself in an unnatural world created by you and mankind, not God. Bring God into your life and avoid being a man just “existing” in this world.
God loves you and has great plans for you. Work to discover your purpose on earth as God intended and live in the light of fulfilling the special plans God has for you.
REFLECT:
The two questions below help us pause and seriously consider how this Scripture passage applies to our own life.
1. Personally, do you believe you are currently living in a gray or lukewarm world? Why or why not?
2. Are you willing to let go and trust God in your life even though you know you will continue to face trials and trouble in this world? Why are you willing to let go and trust God now?
DISCIPLESHIP STUDY QUESTIONS:
Four suggested discussion questions that encourage small group members and individuals personally to better understand and apply Scripture in their lives.
1. How do the first two Chapters of Ecclesiastes relate to Revelation 3:15-16 regarding living a life without God?
2. Read Chapter 3:9-14 in Ecclesiastes and discuss what it means in terms of having God in your life and trusting Him in everything?
3. Read Chapters 4 through 11 in Ecclesiastes. What does the term “meaningless” say to you related to living a life outside of God? What is the futility of living our own life without God or living a “lukewarm” life?
4. After reading the last Chapter in Ecclesiastes (Chapter 12), discuss specifically the meaning of 12:12 and 12:13. How does this relate to what you learned in Revelation 3:15-16?
SUGGESTED CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, please help me in learning to trust you fully and to live a life that is more than just the “sum of my human existence.” Give me the strength to face life’s challenges so that I may have peace in my heart, the power to escape “living in a gray world” and help in discovering your purpose for me on Earth. Amen.
All our Blessings,
Men’s Group Foundation, Inc.
(A mensgroup.org - “Original Study”)
Suggested Additional Resource:
Chuck Swindoll’s book, “Living on the Ragged Edge” addresses the topic of living a life outside of God. His book is an excellent Study Guide for the Book of Ecclesiastes and does an outstanding job of bringing the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes to life. Available on Amazon.com.
Did you find this study useful?
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