Under the Sun - the search for meaning in our every day lives
A little more rest... more money.... a better job... more … you can fill in the blank yourself. It's too easy to get caught up in the endless, exhausting pursuit of more. The things we chase aren't necessarily bad themselves, but we expect them to give us satisfaction and security that never comes. How do we break this cycle and find what we're really searching for? BridgePointe’s Fall 2023 teaching series, Under the Sun, dives into the book of Ecclesiastes to answer this question. We believe God’s wisdom can put an end to our searching and will help us find meaning in our every day lives.
We hope you join us and use the discipleship resources below to get the most out of this teaching series.
Sunday Teachings
Join us on Sundays for all five weeks of this series, either in person or online. If you miss a message, catch up on the message from our website our YouTube channel.
Time Scripture & PRayer
Spending time in Scripture and prayer is an essential part of growing as a disciple of Jesus. During this teaching series, we encourage you to do three things:
Read through Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, one chapter each day, over the next five weeks.
Consistently pray the following:
God, reveal the things I look to for the significance, security, and satisfaction that only you can provide.
Memorize Ecclesiastes 3:11-14.
Start with one verse and add an additional verse each week.11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfac- tion in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
Recommended Reading
Gods at War by Kyle Idleman.
“Gods at War illustrates a clear path away from the heartache of our 21st-century idolatry back to the heart of God - enabling us to be completely committed followers of Jesus.
What do Netflix, our desire for the corner office, and that perfect picture we just posted on Instagram have to do with each other? None of these things is wrong in itself. But when we begin to allow entertainment, success, or social media to control us, we miss out on the joy of God's rule in our hearts.
In Gods at War, Pastor Kyle Idleman, best-selling author of Not a Fan, helps every believer recognize there are false gods at war within each of us, and they battle for the place of glory and control in our lives…”
Scripture Guide
Overview & Context
Ecclesiastes is one of three wisdom books in the Bible, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. To better understand this book, we recommend using the resources from the Bible Project linked below.
Ecclesiastes overview page on the Bible Project
Ecclesiastes & Proverbs
5 week Reading Plan
S.O.A.P. Bible Study Method
Use a journal and put the S.O.A.P. method to work through any passage of Scripture. If Scripture reading isn’t a regular rhythm we encourage you to reorder your daily routine to make it a priority.
Silence
Take a moment to be silent, pray and listen to the Spirit before you start.
Observation
Read the text and ask the following questions:
• What sticks out to you? (main point, repeated words, key concepts, etc.)
• What can I learn about God and or about people?
• What can I learn about how we relate to God and or how we relate to others?
Application
Write down how the passage applies to your life
• How should this change the way that I think?
• What does this challenge me to do?
Week 1
Read Ecclesiastes, chapters 1-6
Week 2
Read Ecclesiastes, chapters 7-12
Week 3
Read Proverbs, chapters 1-10
Week 4
Read Proverbs, chapters 11-20
Week 5
Read Proverbs, chapters 21-31