At Home Bible Study from your Board of Christian Education – 7/08/20

Lesson 8: The Christian Virtue of Moderation

Aren’t all things a blessing from God and are meant for my pleasure? Can’t I have a nice house, boat, clothes, cars & other toys? Can’t I put in a lot of hours at work if that makes money for my family? Can’t I enjoy my liquor, computer/phone games, social media, gambling, and nights out with my friends? Of course, God wants us to enjoy His blessings…but everything in moderation. And even more importantly, God should still be number one in your life (worship, bible study, prayer, serving others). Do others who know you, both believers and non-believers, see you putting God first, family second and fun last?

 

Webster’s Dictionary’s definition of moderation is: bringing within bounds, avoidance of excesses or extremes, calmness and the absence of violence.

 

Reading: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 & 12:13-14 (the conclusion of the writer). (the purpose of this lesson is to expose cultural myths about excess as a source of meaning in life and to discover how to find satisfaction in moderation).

Questions/thoughts to consider:

  1. List out your own examples of excesses in your lifestyle. What about those of the rich and famous?
  2. Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. What are the ways in which the speaker has gone about trying to find and take advantage of all the good things in this life? Which of these efforts seemed frivolous and which were valuable endeavors?
  3. Why did the speaker even take on this task of investigation? Did he find meaning and true profit in what life has to offer?
  4. In vs. 3 & 9 the writer mentions that “wisdom stayed” with him. Did this mean spiritual insight or street smarts or survival skills or upright behavior?
  5. In vs 10 he says that he delighted in his work and yet in vs 11 he says his work was meaningless. How can that be?
  6. How are you tempted to find meaning in excess? When is enough, enough? Are you being pulled away from giving of your time, talents and treasures to your one true God?
  7. Pray that you will grow in your desire for the things of God instead of things of this world. Read Prov 13: 4, Matt 14:20-21, Col 3: 1-2, Ps 90:14, Ps 145 (all but especially 14-16).

Prayer

Dear Jesus, when you were in this world, every minute of your time, every action that you took, every person you met, and every focus of your life, was to point to God your Father, in total worship to Him. You are our example, in leading our lives here on earth, to God’s glory. Let us study your Word, examining how you led your life, and let us imitate that. We thank you for all the blessings you give us. Let us enjoy those blessings but never let our enjoyment be tempted to turn excessively inward. We are meant to worship you and serve others. Help us to make that our focus, and repent and turn away from anything that takes away from that mission in life. In your holy name we pray. Amen.