This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - Calvary Church // Life Under The Sun // 11:00am Service 10/25/2026” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
Small Group Discussion Guide
The Meaning of Life: Remember Your Creator
Based on a Sermon from Ecclesiastes 12
A Note to Facilitators: Welcome! This guide is designed to help any leader — whether you've led groups for years or this is your first time — create a meaningful conversation around Sunday's message. You don't need to have all the answers. Your job is simply to create space for honest, grace-filled dialogue. Read through the guide before your meeting, choose the questions that feel right for your group, and trust God to work through the conversation.
OVERVIEW
In the final message of an eight-week series through Ecclesiastes, the sermon explored one of humanity's oldest and most persistent questions: What is the meaning of life? Drawing from Ecclesiastes 12, the pastor showed that King Solomon — one of history's wisest and wealthiest men — concluded that all of life's pursuits are ultimately empty apart from God. The sermon challenged both young and old to stop searching for meaning in things "under the sun" and instead look above the sun to the God who made us, and in the Son — Jesus Christ — who redeems us. The central call was simple but profound: fear God, keep his commandments, and do it now — because life is short, eternity is real, and the way to know God is through Jesus.
GETTING STARTED
Before your group begins, make sure everyone has a Bible or Bible app available. You may also want to print or display the key scripture passages included in this guide. Plan for 60–90 minutes total.
SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER
(5–10 minutes)
Opening Question:
"If you could sit down for an hour with the wisest person you've ever known — a grandparent, mentor, teacher, or someone else — and ask them just one question about life, what would you ask them? And why that question?"
Allow everyone to share briefly. This question warms up the group and naturally connects to the sermon's setup: Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived, giving his final word of wisdom.
SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING
(5 minutes)
Have someone read each passage aloud. Consider asking two or three different people to read — it helps everyone engage with the text.
Primary Passage — Ecclesiastes 12:1–2, 13–14 (CSB)
"So remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach when you will say, 'I have no delight in them'; before the sun and the light are darkened, and the moon and the stars, and the clouds return after the rain…
"When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil."
Supporting Passage — Titus 3:3–7 (CSB) (Read at the opening of the service)
"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us — not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs of eternal life."
Supporting Passage — Philippians 2:5–11 (CSB) (Read congregationally during the service)
"Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth — and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(30–45 minutes)
You likely won't have time for every question. Read through them ahead of time and mark 5–7 that feel most relevant for your group. Questions are arranged from lighter/observational to deeper/applicational.
THEME A: The Search for Meaning
Questions 1–3 help the group connect with the universal human longing for purpose.
Question 1 (Observational — Start here)
"The sermon opened with the story of Karen, a student who scored perfectly on the SAT but admitted she had 'absolutely no idea' what the meaning of life was. What was your reaction to that story? Does it surprise you, or does it feel familiar?"
[Leader Tip]: This is a great entry point for people at all spiritual maturity levels. It doesn't require biblical knowledge — just honest reflection. If the group is quiet, you might share your own reaction first to model vulnerability.
Question 2 (Interpretive)
"The sermon mentioned philosophers like Sartre and Camus who concluded there is no meaning to life because there is no God. Why do you think so many people today still search desperately for meaning and purpose, even if they don't believe in God? What does that tell us about how we're made?"
Optional follow-up if discussion stalls: "Have you ever gone through a season where life felt purposeless or empty? What did that feel like?"
Question 3 (Personal)
"The pastor quoted several voices — Augustine, J.I. Packer, Rick Warren, the Westminster Catechism — all arriving at the same answer: the purpose of life is to know God. Before you became a Christian, or before you really understood this, where were you looking for meaning? What 'under the sun' things were you hoping would fill that void?"
[Leader Tip]: This question invites personal storytelling, which builds community. Give people space to share honestly. Remind the group that this is a safe, non-judgmental space. You might share your own story briefly to open the door.
THEME B: What It Means to Remember God
Questions 4–5 explore the sermon's central command: "Fear God and keep his commandments."
Question 4 (Interpretive)
"The pastor made an interesting point about the word 'remember.' He said it means more than just mentally recalling something — like when someone says 'Remember our anniversary,' they mean 'Do something about it.' Based on that, what does it actually look like in everyday life to 'remember God'? What would change if you were truly living in constant awareness of God?"
Related Scripture: Psalm 119:1–2 — "How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord's instruction. Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart."
Question 5 (Interpretive + Personal)
"The sermon described 'fearing God' not as cowering in terror but as living with a reverential awe — like people who live near an active volcano and order their entire lives around that reality. How does that image change the way you think about the fear of God? What would it look like for your daily decisions to be shaped by an awareness of God's greatness?"
[Leader Tip]: Some people in your group may have grown up with a distorted, fear-based view of God. Acknowledge that gently if it comes up, and emphasize that the fear of God is rooted in love and awe, not terror. John Murray's quote from the sermon is helpful here: "The fear of God constrains adoration and love."
Optional follow-up: "The pastor described it as 'living under one sky' — the constant awareness that God is there. What would have to change in your weekly routine for that kind of awareness to be real?"
THEME C: The Urgency of Now
Questions 6–7 address Solomon's call to remember God "in the days of your youth" — and what that means for all of us.
Question 6 (Personal + Application)
"Solomon's advice to 'remember God in the days of your youth' wasn't just for teenagers. The pastor said, 'You're as young as you're ever going to be.' Thinking about your own life right now — what are the 'days of difficulty,' 'days of decline,' or 'days of decision' that make this message feel urgent to you personally?"
Optional follow-up: "Is there an area of your life where you've been putting off fully surrendering to God — telling yourself 'I'll deal with that later'? What's one step you could take this week?"
Question 7 (Community)
"The sermon emphasized that most people who come to faith in Christ do so before the age of 18, and that's part of why investing in the next generation is so important. Who in your life — a child, grandchild, student, neighbor, or young friend — might God be calling you to invest in spiritually? What would that investment look like?"
[Leader Tip]: This question connects the sermon's emphasis on youth ministry to a practical, personal application for every age group in your room. It's especially meaningful for parents and grandparents, but anyone can answer it.
THEME D: The Answer — Jesus
Questions 8–9 bring the message to its gospel center.
Question 8 (Interpretive)
"The pastor made a beautiful distinction: Solomon in the Old Testament asked the questions, and Jesus in the New Testament is the answer. He said, 'The way to know God is to know Jesus.' Looking at Philippians 2:5–11 and Titus 3:3–7, what do these passages reveal about who Jesus is and what he came to do? How does Jesus specifically answer Solomon's question about the meaning of life?"
Optional follow-up: "Jesus said in John 14:9, 'Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.' What does the life of Jesus — his humility, his sacrifice, his resurrection — teach you about what God is like?"
Question 9 (Personal + Gospel)
"The sermon ended with an invitation: the way to 'fear God and keep his commandments' is to trust Jesus and follow Jesus. For those of us who have already placed our faith in Christ, how has knowing Jesus personally changed the way you understand your own purpose and meaning? What's different about your life because of that relationship?"
[Leader Tip]: This question may naturally surface people who are still exploring faith or who made a decision in response to Sunday's message. Create space for those conversations without pressure. If someone shares that they responded to the invitation, celebrate that warmly and make sure they're connected with a pastor or prayer partner.
SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION
(10–15 minutes)
These questions are for individual reflection. You can invite people to share with the group, journal privately during the meeting, or take them home to reflect on during the week.
Reflection Question 1:
"On a scale of 1–10, how much does your daily life actually reflect the belief that 'the purpose of life is to know God'? What's one specific thing that consistently competes with God for your attention, affection, or action — your head, heart, or hands?"
Reflection Question 2:
"The sermon described the Bible as both a 'cattle prod' (guiding us when we wander) and 'firmly embedded nails' (holding us secure when life shakes us). Which of those two things do you need most from God's Word right now — direction or stability? How are you currently engaging with Scripture?"
Reflection Question 3:
"The closing song asked: 'All my life, have you been faithful?' As you look back over your life, where have you seen God's faithfulness most clearly — even in hard seasons? How does remembering that faithfulness change the way you face what's ahead?"
✅ THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
Choose one (or more) that fits where you are:
For the spiritually new or exploring: This week, read Ecclesiastes 12 in full and write down one question it raises for you. Bring it to your pastor, a trusted Christian friend, or next week's group.
For the growing believer: Identify one area of your life — a relationship, a habit, a decision — where you haven't fully surrendered to God. Spend 10 minutes each day this week praying specifically over that area and asking for the courage to obey.
For the mature believer: Identify one young person in your life (a child, grandchild, student, neighbor) and take one intentional step this week to invest in their faith — a conversation, a book, a meal, a prayer together.
For everyone: Write Ecclesiastes 12:13 somewhere you'll see it every day this week: "Fear God and keep his commands, for this is for all humanity." Let it be your anchor verse for the week.
SECTION 5: PRAYER FOCUS
(5–10 minutes)
Close your time together in prayer. You can pray as a group, in pairs, or have one person lead. Use these suggested topics to guide your prayer:
Suggested Prayer Topics:
Gratitude — Thank God for the gift of meaning found in knowing him. Celebrate his faithfulness over your lives.
Surrender — Ask God to reveal any area where you've been seeking meaning apart from him — and invite him into that space.
The Next Generation — Pray specifically for young people in your lives and in your church community. Ask God to draw their hearts to himself early, before the days of difficulty come.
Urgency — Pray for a fresh sense of urgency about your own faith and the faith of those around you. Ask God to keep your heart tender and responsive to his voice.
One Person — Each person silently names one person they know who hasn't yet placed their faith in Christ. Spend a moment praying for that person by name.
Suggested Closing Prayer (for the facilitator to read or adapt):
Lord, thank you for the reminder today that you didn't leave us to search for meaning alone. You made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Help us to remember you — not just as a thought in the back of our minds, but as the center of everything we do, everything we love, and everything we pursue. Give us courage to obey you today, not tomorrow. And give us hearts that burn for the people in our lives who don't yet know you. May we live as people who have found the answer — and who can't stop sharing it. In Jesus' name, Amen.
SECTION 6: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
For groups with extra time or who want to go further
Deep Dive Question 1:
"Ecclesiastes uses the phrase 'under the sun' 29 times to describe life as we can see and measure it. The pastor contrasted this with life 'above the sun' and 'in the Son.' Read 2 Corinthians 4:16–18. How does the Apostle Paul describe the relationship between what is seen and what is unseen? What does it look like practically to 'fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen'?"
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 — "Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Deep Dive Question 2:
"The sermon quoted Psalm 119 extensively — the longest chapter in the Bible — as a celebration of the joy of living according to God's law. Read Psalm 119:33–40. What is the posture of the psalmist toward God's instruction? How is that different from the way we often think about following God's commands? What would it take for you to genuinely find delight in God's Word and his ways?"
Psalm 119:33–40 — "Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your statutes, and I will always keep them. Help me understand your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart. Help me stay on the path of your commands, for I take pleasure in it. Turn my heart to your decrees and not to dishonest profit. Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in your ways. Confirm what you said to your servant, for it produces reverence for you. Turn away the disgrace I dread; indeed, your judgments are good. How I long for your precepts! Give me life through your righteousness."
Deep Dive Question 3:
"The sermon ended with the gospel: God reconciles us to himself through Jesus, not through our own effort or righteousness. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17–21. What does it mean that we are 'new creations' in Christ and that God 'made him who had no sin to be sin for us'? How does understanding what Jesus did for us on the cross change the way you approach the call to 'fear God and keep his commandments'? Is obedience something you do to earn God's love — or something you do because of it?"
2 Corinthians 5:17–21 — "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For Further Study:
- Read Ecclesiastes in full — it's only 12 chapters and reads quickly. Consider reading one chapter a day.
- Explore Psalm 119 — try reading it in sections over a week.
- Book recommendation: Knowing God by J.I. Packer — a classic exploration of what it means to truly know God personally.
Related Passages to Explore:
- John 17:3 — "This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
- Proverbs 1:7 — "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
- Romans 5:8 — "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
- John 14:6–9 — Jesus as the way to the Father
QUICK REFERENCE: GUIDE AT A GLANCE
| Section | Activity | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Icebreaker | Opening question | 5–10 min |
| Scripture Reading | Ecclesiastes 12, Titus 3, Philippians 2 | 5 min |
| Discussion Questions | Themes A–D (choose 5–7 questions) | 30–45 min |
| Personal Application | Reflection questions + This Week's Challenge | 10–15 min |
| Prayer Focus | Group prayer using suggested topics | 5–10 min |
| Total | 55–85 min |
This guide was prepared for small group use at Calvary Baptist Church. Permission granted to reproduce for ministry purposes.
"When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity." — Ecclesiastes 12:13