Part 4 – Wind Chasers:
Matt 24:37,39
… so shall it be at the coming of the Son of man… They knew not what was GOING ON, until the flood came, and SENT THEM ALL AWAY.
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Connect group:
● Choose ONE NIGHT a week to hold your connect group.
● Ask each member of your connect group to bring their Bible.
● If you want, you can also take communion together.
WELCOME
Ice breaker:
Choose one of the following topics and talk about it:
a) Think of a time when you worked incredibly hard to get something (like a specific car, a promotion, or a new phone). How long did the “excitement” last after you finally got it?
b) Think of a time when you waited and prayed for a long time for a specific request? How did it feel when you finally received it?
Prayer: Open with prayer.
WORD
Read: Our Core Text for Today: Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NIV)
Then I considered all that I had achieved, and all the toil I had toiled to do. I realized how meaningless (Hevel) it was. It was nothing but chasing the wind. There was no profit under the sun. (“Hevel” literally means vapor, smoke, or breath). Phil 3:7
But what things were gains to me, these I now consider as loss (Hevel) for the sake of Christ… Talk in your Connect Group about the following: Many of us live on “autopilot.” We are so busy making a living and accumulating things that we become spiritually “unconscious” about what really matters. We get caught up in chasing after wind. When we live spiritually unconscious, we chase after things that don’t last. King Solomon was the richest and wisest man, yet he came to a shocking realization.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NIV)“Then I reflected on all that I had achieved and on all the TOUGHNESS that I had put in. Then I realized how POINTLESS (Hevel) it all was. It is nothing but chasing after the wind. There is no BENEFIT under the sun.”
Context: The Hebrew word “Hevel” literally means vapor, smoke, or breath. It seems to have substance, but when you try to grasp it, it disappears in your hands. Why is this chasing after wind so exhausting? This is because we believe the lie of OWNERSHIP over the truth of STEWARDSHIP. When we think everything belongs to us, it is our responsibility to protect, increase, and stress over it. When we realize we are only managers (stewards) of God’s things, it brings freedom. To wake up from this unconscious state, we must learn to appreciate what truly has value and let go of that which is worthless.
In summary: The World’s Way (Unconscious)
God’s Way (Awake)Focus: Ownership (It is mine)
Focus: Stewardship (It is God’s)
Result: Exhaustion and chasing
after wind.
Result: Peace and freedom
Outcome: All is Vanity (Worthless/Vapor)
Outcome: Labor in the Lord is never in vain
Reread today’s texts and talk about them: ·
Just as in the time of Noah, the world is busy today. What are people so busy with that they live “unconscious” or unaware of what God is doing?
WORSHIP Make time to worship God today. Use the playlist on our Word and Life website under Connect Groups. Or bring your own worship songs.
WORKS Now enjoy Communion together as a Connect Group:
Love for God, Love for People Now, as a Connection Group, spend just 5 minutes in silence, and each member should answer the questions below individually. Create a peaceful atmosphere and allow the Lord to speak to each one individually.