The Law of the Harvest Galatians 6.7-10 We all long for a harvest in our lives. We are wise to remember the law of the harvest. I. Deception: ____________________________________________ (7) II. Danger/Delight: ________________________________________ (8) III. Decision: ___________________________________________ (9-10) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. In what area(s) of your life do you long to see a harvest? What kind of seeds are you sowing for this to take place? 2. Share about a time when you saw the law of “reaping and sowing” play out in your life. For deeper discussion 1. What are some way(s) that you are living with the consequences of unwise sowing? Wise sowing? 2. If most of the seeds we sow are in thought and action, what seeds have you sown this week? Are you sowing more to please the Spirit or the flesh these days? 3. When you sow, are your eyes fixed more on the sowing or the reaping? How does an eye towards the harvest change your perspective? 4. How does the promise of God’s reward motivate you? What are some seeds you will scatter this week, and where will you scatter them?

James Ye & Alex Pak

The Lord of the Harvest Matthew 9.35-10.1 As Jesus issues a call to His followers to join in the harvest, there are three things that beckon us from this passage. I. _____________________________ (9.35-36) II. _____________________________ 9.37) III. _____________________________ (9.38-10.1) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. What do you see when you look at people in our world? How would your life change if you saw them as Christ did? 2. What comes to your mind emotionally when you hear about the images of shepherdless sheep and a ripe harvest? For deeper discussion 1. Do you feel like you are a spectator or a participant in God’s work in our world? Why? 2. For what group of people is your heart burdened? If God has given you that burden for a reason, how can you help to bring Christ’s hope to them? 3. How much do you feel responsible for souls in your generation? What role can you play in seeing people in your lifetime come to know Christ? 4. Will you dare to pray to the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth workers into the harvest field?

Issac Lee & Chris Lee

Because You Had Become So Dear To Us 1 Thessalonians 2.8 I. When someone becomes dear to us, we share ___________________ II. When someone becomes dear to us, we share ___________________ Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. Who is someone you would consider to be “dear” to you? How did they become so special to you? 2. In the Bible, as we pray for people, we begin to love them more. Whom is God calling you to pray for this week? For deeper discussion 1. How have you shared “your very life” with someone important to you? How can you do that this week? 2. When is the last time you shared the gospel with somebody using words? How can you help someone see the Gospel incarnate this week? 3. The degree to which we pray for missions is the degree to which we will celebrate in their testimonies. How much did you feel like you were a part of Team Ecuador? How can you grow in your role as a sender of missionaries?

Vapor XV Title: Risk boldly and wisely for there is no reward without risk! Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 I. Diversify your ____________________________(11:1-2) II. Seize your ______________________________ (11:3-6) "Christians travel the same ground that everyone else walks on, breathe the same air, drink the same water, shop in the same stores, read the same newspapers, are citizens under the same governments, pay the same prices for groceries and gasoline, fear the same dangers, are subject to the same pressures, get the same distresses, are buried in the same ground. The difference is that each step we walk, each breath we breathe, we know we are preserved by God, we know we are accompanied by God, we know we are ruled by God; and therefore no matter what doubts we endure or what accidents we experience, the Lord will preserve us from evil, he will keep our life." - Eugene Peterson Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. Are you a risk taker? Or are you very cautious? Why? (Discuss). 2. What are some risks you took that were bold and wise that have brought you reward? What are some risks that didn't? (foolish risks)? 3. How does the sovereignty of God factor into us taking risks? For deeper discussion 1. Do you have any "want to's" and "I wish I should have's"? How can we live w/o them? 2. In what ways have you been paralyzed by fear or doubt? How does understanding the Gospel free you from this vicious cycle? 3. In what ways can you sow the Word of God in your life and in the lives of others? (Think about your witness) 4. How can we battle instant gratification in our world and culture today? 5. Considering vs 1&2 how can you be more generous? (with your money/possessions)? How about as a cell church- how can you be more generous/giving to others/community/church?

Vapor X Title: Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:11 I. You can have ________________, but make _________ decisions, and it will _______ you (9:13-18a) II. You can have ________________, but make one __________mistake, and it will ___________you (9:18b-10:11) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. What was the wisest decision you have ever made? How did it save you? 2. What was the dumbest mistake you have ever made? How did it it destroy you? For deeper discussion 1. What is the Bible's definition of wisdom? How can it save you? 2. What does it mean that Christ has become for us wisdom from God in 1 Cor. 1:30? 3. How can one act of sin ruin your life? 4. How has sin ruined what God intended for us to have? 5. How has Christ redeemed us?

Monica Lee

Vapor XIII My Life as a Movie Ecclesiastes 9.1-12 The Teacher describes what our lives would be like if they were to be made into a movie: I. The ending of the movie is _______________________ (1-6) II. The movie itself is _______________________ (11-12) III. Therefore, _______________________ (7-10) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. What’s the best movie you’ve seen lately? Did it follow the Teacher’s description? 2. if a movie were made of your life, what would it be called? Why? For deeper discussion 1. How much do you think about death? How do you react to death--do you tend to ignore it, deny it, delay it? 2. What unexpected events in your life have caused you to realize that life is unpredictable? How do you live in light of this unpredictability? 3. How is God calling you to enjoy the gifts He’s given you? Have you enjoyed His gifts lately? 4. Which of the five commands in verses 7-10 will you consciously seek to obey this week?

Vapor XII Control Freak Ecclesiastes 8.2-15 The Teacher shares important words for control freaks. I. Your king will _______________________ your life (2-5) II. You are not your own _______________________ (6-8) III. The answer is not in _______________________ (9-15) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. On what do you spend most of your money? What do you spend most of your time doing? 2. What is the last thing that happened to you that was out of your control? How did you respond to it? For deeper discussion 1. If somebody were to watch you for a month, what would they say is your king? 2. Would your friends say that you are a “control freak?” In what area(s) of your life do you feel the need to be in control? 3. Our response to things that are out of our control will make all the difference in the world. How do you respond to such things? 4. ‘I do not understand you in this situation but I understand why I trust you anyway.’ What situations cause you to feel this way? How do you find comfort in this truth?

Vapor XI Some Things Just Don’t Make Sense Ecclesiastes 7.15-8.1 One thing that the Teacher couldn’t understand was why the wicked live long and the righteous die young. While the answer was elusive, he did find a few things. I. The answer is not in being _______________________ (15-22) II. The answer is not in _______________________ (23-28) III. The answer is not in _______________________ (29-8.1) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. What are some things in the world that don’t seem to make sense to you? 2. What are some of the “stories” that you see people living in to try and find meaning? For deeper discussion 1. Have you ever tried to be “super-righteous”? What motivated you to do that? 2. Have you ever tried to be “super-bad?” Did you experience any consequences from this kind of living? 3. How have you seen people (celebrities or friends) sidetracked by the snares of sensuality? How has your life been hindered by this snare? 4. What hardships in your life have caused you to question God’s goodness? How does the bigger story of the gospel encourage you?

Vapor X How to Handle Adversity Ecclesiastes 6.10 - 7.14 Introduction: God has sovereignly set the times (6:10-12) I. Because God has sovereignly set the times it is better to face adversity than to avoid (7:1-3, 8-10) II. Because God has sovereignly set the times we should not live through life like fools, but live life with wisdom (7:4-7, 11-12) Conclusion: Because God has sovereignly set the times, we must trust Him (7:13-14) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. How do you feel about the fact that whatever happens in the present was already predetermined by God in the past? For deeper discussion 1. How do you want to be remembered after you die? 2. How is the day of death, mourning, and sorrow better than the day of birth, feasting, and laughter? 3. What adversity are you facing now? If none, then what have you faced in the past? How are you dealing (or how have you dealt) with it? 4. What's the final outcome for all who are in Christ? How does this help you in times of adversity? 5. How is seeking "the house of feasting", laughter, "the house of pleasure" foolish?

Danny Chen & Alex Pak

Vapor IX Greed: The Never-Ending Story Ecclesiastes 5.8-6.9 Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. What one thing would you need in order to improve the quality of your life? 2. Many people who have tons of money are not happy. Can you give some examples? For deeper discussion 1. Some people who have tons of money are happy. What do you think makes them different from the unhappy wealthy ones? 2. In what areas do you find yourself being greedy? 3. Does your desire for more (whether it be money, possessions, status) ever cause you to not be able to sleep? 4. According to 2 Corinthians, what are two purposes of money? Are you using your finances for these purposes? 5. Are you enjoying the gifts that God has given to you? How does the Gospel allow you to find contentment in Christ?

Vapor VIII How to Make Your Worship Meaningless Ecclesiastes 5.1-7 For the first time, the Teacher moves from observation to instruction as he tells us how to make our worship of God just as meaningless as many other things under the sun. I. Forget that _________________________ (1) II. Come to __________________________________ (2,3,7) III. Make promises without ______________________ (4-6) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. How do you feel as you come to church on Sunday? (excited, hungry, apathetic, tired, etc) Why do you come on Sundays? 2. What do you do on Sunday mornings and throughout the week to prepare for worship? For deeper discussion 1. How does seeing the complete otherness of God change your attitude towards worship? How can you remind yourself of whose house you come to? 2. What are some ways that we can better prepare ourselves to give to God? 3. What is one way you can practically listen better to God during Sunday worship time? 4. What vows have you made in the past (to God, to others) that God is calling you to re-visit today? 5. How is God calling you to live out this message this week?

Vapor VII How to Have a Miserable Life Ecclesiastes 4.7-16 Countless studies are in agreement regarding the most important ingredient to a happy life. The Teacher paints pictures of people who neglect this to their misery. I. Sacrificing _____________ for anything makes you miserable (7-8) II. Surrounding yourself with _____________ won’t cure your loneliness (13-16) III. Curing loneliness is about the ____________, not quantity of your relationships (9-12) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. Do you feel lonely these days? 2. On a scale of 1-10, how happy are you with the quality of your life? On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with the relationships in your life? For deeper discussion 1. Have your relationships with close friends improved or gotten worse over time? Why is this so? 2. What do you find yourself sacrificing relationships for? What excuses do you give for not cherishing relationships? 3. Who are the people whose relationships you value the most? How can you invest in those relationships this week? 4. When followers of Christ gather, the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit is able to work. Are you letting the Spirit work or are you quenching the Spirit’s flow?

Vapor V Letting God Make the Brownies Ecclesiastes 3.1-15 Wisdom, pleasure, and work didn’t work for the Teacher. Where can we find answers to the questions of life? I. the fact of God’s sovereign control (1-8) II. the comfort of God’s sovereign control (9-11) III. the goal of God’s sovereign control (12-15) Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. Share a time when you realized that you are not in control of your life. 2. Share a time when you recognized clearly that God was in control of your life. For deeper discussion 1. How does knowing that God’s timing is different than yours give you comfort today? 2. What future event are you waiting for so that you can “really live”? How has that kept you from really living today? 3. What does it mean for you to “seize the day” today? What does it look like for you to be happy...do good...enjoy food and work...in a God-honoring way? 4. What is going on in your life these days that causes you to question God? How does this teaching give you comfort?

Vapor IV 8 Hours a Day Doesn’t Define You Ecclesiastes 2.1-17-24 Wisdom and pleasure were dead-ends in the pursuit of meaning in life. Turning to work, the Teacher concludes that: I. Under the sun, work is meaningless because it can’t... II. Under the sun, work is meaningless because it can’t... III. Under the sun, work can be meaningful if... Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. Share about a time when you felt the frustration of not seeing the fruit of your hard work at work/school? 2. Do you enjoy the work you do at work/school? What do you enjoy about it? For deeper discussion 1. Are your reasons for enjoying the work that you do biblically grounded? 2. How have you tried to “make a name for yourself” or define yourself by work or school? 3. What is the biblical view of work? How can we redefine our work according to this view? 4. How does the Gospel free us to enjoy work the way God intended us to enjoy it?

Vapor III The Pleasure Experiment Ecclesiastes 2.1-11 Realizing the dead-end that wisdom was, the Teacher then turned his pursuit to pleasure. I. The S_________________ of pleasure II. The S_________________ of pleasure III. The S_________________ to pleasure Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. Do you feel bored with life? Where do you turn when you are bored? 2. The Teacher pursued many “under the sun” pleasures such as laughter, partying, women, homes, possessions, etc. What “under the sun” pleasures tempt you into thinking that they will give life more meaning and significance? For deeper discussion 1. What cost has there been to your life, family, relationship with God as you seek pleasure in things other than God? 2. CS Lewis gave 4 options when what we seek pleasure in fails: the fool, the self-hater, the cynic, and the saint. How do you respond to the unsatisfying nature of earthly pleasure? 3. How have you been trying to build your own Garden of Eden? How can you find true pleasure in God? 4. Reflect on this thought: If you were in heaven with all your loved ones and the great pleasures of this world, but God was not there, would you be happy?

Vapor II How to Outrun a Bear Ecclesiastes 1.12-18, 2.12-16 Solomon is resurrected through the quill of the Teacher to teach us that wisdom under the sun is also just a vapor. I. The L_________________ for “under the sun” wisdom II. The L_________________ of “under the sun” wisdom III. The L_________________ of “under the sun” wisdom Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. What is your source for “under the sun” wisdom (school, TV, radio, internet, etc)? 2. Reflect and share about a time when wisdom was better than folly. Reflect and share about a time when you experienced wisdom’s limitations. For deeper discussion 1. How do you use wisdom or knowledge to try to control your life? 2. Do you seek earthly wisdom or heavenly wisdom more? How can you grow in heavenly wisdom? 3. What makes it easier to trust your wisdom rather than God’s? Why do you want to be in control rather than letting God in in control of your life? 4. What is one way you can turn over control of your life to God?