Finding Meaning in Life's Cycles and Relationships

Life often feels like a cycle of repetition—seasons come and go, joys and sorrows intermingle, and sometimes it can seem as if nothing truly matters. Yet, when we pause to consider the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, we are invited to wrestle with the big questions: Is there meaning in all of this? Does anything matter? The teacher in Ecclesiastes voices the ache of the human heart, observing the fleeting nature of life and the apparent futility of our efforts. But as we journey through the text, we discover a profound shift: the realization that, precisely because life is fleeting, everything matters.

We are called to recognize the gift of being—of simply existing, of having relationships, resources, and experiences, even when they are imperfect or marked by loss. Each season of life, with its unique blessings and challenges, is an opportunity to find joy and purpose. The wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for everything: for laughter and for tears, for building up and for letting go, for embracing and for refraining. God has made everything fitting in its time and has placed eternity in our hearts—a deep, innate sense that there is more to the story than what we can see.

Scripture assures us that God is always doing something new, even when our lives feel stuck in cycles. The newness God brings is not about accumulating power or possessions, but about rooting our meaning in love—love of God and love of neighbor. When we do this, even the ordinary and repetitive aspects of life become sacred and purposeful.

We are also reminded that our longing for meaning, our sense of eternity, is a gift from God. It is not foolishness, but a sign that we are created for relationship with the Divine. In the midst of suffering, uncertainty, and unanswered questions, we are invited to stay present, to savor the joys before us, and to bring our full, honest selves to God. Gratitude and blessing are not meant to cover up pain, but to help us live faithfully and joyfully in the tension of the human condition. In community, we carry one another, share our burdens, and celebrate the goodness of God together.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Cyclical Nature of Life Invites Reflection, Not Despair Life’s repetitive patterns can feel meaningless, but they are an invitation to reflect on the deeper rhythms God has woven into creation. Each season—whether joyful or painful—has its own purpose, and recognizing this can help us find meaning even in the mundane. Rather than resisting the cycles, we are called to embrace them as opportunities for growth and gratitude. [13:44]
• 2. God Is Always Doing Something New While Ecclesiastes laments that “there is nothing new under the sun,” the broader witness of Scripture proclaims that God is continually at work, bringing forth newness in our lives and in the world. This newness is not about novelty for its own sake, but about transformation—making a way in the wilderness, giving us new hearts, and forming us into new creations in Christ. Our hope is rooted in God’s ongoing creative work. [15:18]
• 3. Eternity Is Planted in Our Hearts We are created with an innate longing for something beyond ourselves—a sense of eternity that points us to God. This longing is not a flaw or a sign of weakness, but a gift that draws us into deeper relationship with our Creator. Even when we cannot see the full picture, we are invited to trust that God holds the beginning and the end, and that our questions and wrestlings are part of the journey of faith. [25:29]
• 4. Presence and Joy Amid Uncertainty In seasons of suffering or waiting, like the story of baby Isaiah and his family, we learn the power of staying present. Joy is not found in denying pain or anxiously grasping for control, but in savoring the gifts of today—relationships, small victories, and moments of laughter. Practicing presence helps us to balance hope for the future with gratitude for the present, even when the future is uncertain. [30:50]
• 5. Honest Faith Embraces Both Gratitude and Lament Being faithful does not mean ignoring hardship or pretending everything is fine. True relationship with God allows space for honest prayers—help, thanks, and wow. We are invited to bring our full selves, including our doubts and disappointments, to God and to one another. In community, we support each other in living authentically, holding both blessing and brokenness together. [49:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Introduction to Ecclesiastes and Wrestling with Meaning
• [04:30] - Reflections on the Passing of Time and Parenting
• [12:32] - The Blessings of Each Season of Life
• [15:18] - God’s Newness vs. Life’s Repetition
• [16:35] - Rooting Meaning in Love, Not Accumulation
• [18:50] - Ecclesiastes 3: A Time for Everything
• [21:04] - God Has Placed Eternity in Our Hearts
• [24:37] - Finding Joy in Repetition and Presence
• [25:29] - Humanity’s Longing for Eternity
• [27:57] - Balancing Suffering and Meaning
• [29:40] - Jessica and Isaiah’s Story: Joy Amid Hardship
• [31:57] - Roundtable Worship Instructions
• [49:11] - Honest Faith: Gratitude and Lament
• [52:07] - Love Feast and Communion
• [55:52] - Announcements and Blessing

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Finding Meaning in the Cycles of Life”

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Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 (ESV)
1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
9 What gain has the worker from his toil?
10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;
13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.

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Observation Questions

1. According to Ecclesiastes 3, what are some of the different “times” or seasons that the writer lists? Why do you think the writer includes both positive and negative experiences?

[[18:50]]

1. In verse 11, what does it mean that God “has put eternity into man’s heart”? How does this connect to the rest of the passage?

[[25:29]]

1. The sermon mentions that the teacher in Ecclesiastes moves from seeing life as meaningless to recognizing that “everything matters.” What causes this shift in perspective?

[[21:49]]

1. What does the writer say is “God’s gift” to people in verses 12-13?

[[21:04]]

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Interpretation Questions

1. The passage says there is a time for everything, including both joy and sorrow. How might recognizing the purpose in each season help someone find meaning in difficult times?

[[13:44]]

1. The sermon talks about God always doing something new, even when life feels repetitive. How does this idea challenge the statement “there is nothing new under the sun”?

[[15:18]]

1. The phrase “eternity in our hearts” suggests a longing for something more. How does this longing shape the way people approach questions of meaning and purpose?

[[25:29]]

1. The story of baby Isaiah and his family was shared as an example of finding joy in the present, even in hardship. What does this story teach about presence and gratitude?

[[30:50]]

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Application Questions

1. Think about a season of life you are currently in (joyful, challenging, or somewhere in between). How might you look for God’s purpose or presence in this season, rather than just wishing it away?

[[13:44]]

1. The sermon says that God’s “newness” is not about getting more stuff or power, but about rooting our meaning in love. What is one way you can intentionally love God or your neighbor this week, especially in the ordinary routines of life?

[[16:35]]

1. The idea of “eternity in our hearts” means we have a longing for more than what we see. When have you felt this longing most strongly? How do you usually respond to it—by ignoring it, distracting yourself, or bringing it to God?

[[25:29]]

1. Jessica’s story about her son Isaiah highlights the practice of staying present and savoring small joys, even in uncertainty. What is one small joy or blessing you can notice and give thanks for today, even if your circumstances are hard?

[[30:50]]

1. The sermon encourages honest faith that includes both gratitude and lament. Is there an area of your life where you need to be more honest with God—either to express thanks, ask for help, or share your disappointment? What would it look like to bring your “full self” to God this week?

[[49:11]]

1. In community, we are called to carry one another’s burdens and celebrate together. Is there someone in your life or in this group who needs encouragement or support right now? How can you be present for them?

[[49:11]]

1. The teacher in Ecclesiastes finds meaning in enjoying simple things—eating, drinking, and doing good. What is one simple, everyday activity you can approach as a gift from God this week?

[[21:04]]

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Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for the ability to find God’s presence in every season, to be honest with God and each other, and to love well in both the ordinary and the difficult moments.