Bible Reading
Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.”
[02:26]Luke 16:19-31 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”
[15:10]Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
[23:33]Observation questions
- In Ecclesiastes 7:2–4, what distinguishes the response of the wise from the response of fools when faced with death? [04:29]
- In Luke 16:19–31, how do the circumstances of the rich man and Lazarus change after death, and what remains beyond the rich man’s control? [16:19]
- What does the rich man believe will persuade his brothers to repent, and what does Abraham say they already have available to them? [17:08]
- In Matthew 7:13–14, how does Jesus describe the two gates, the roads beyond them, and their destinations? [23:33]
Interpretation questions
- Why can facing death help a person live more wisely rather than simply become more fearful? How does confidence in Christ change that response? [05:17]
- What does Abraham’s response to the rich man reveal about the difference between needing more evidence and being unwilling to listen to God? How might that difference show up in someone’s response to Scripture? [17:23]
- How can Christ’s narrow way of salvation offer a welcome to every kind of person without suggesting that every road leads to life? What would it look like for a church to hold both truths together? [22:31]
- How does the hope of being with God give purpose to a believer’s ordinary days, rather than make earthly life something to escape? [08:14]
Application questions
- When you think about your own mortality, what feels hardest to face? If you feel comfortable sharing, how might trusting the One who conquered death help you approach that concern? [06:22]
- Where are you most tempted to look for lasting security—money, achievement, comfort, or something else? What is one choice you could make this week that reflects trust in Christ rather than that source of security? [04:32]
- Think about your plans for the coming week. Where could you make room to give someone a taste of God’s kingdom through generosity, hospitality, compassion, or service? [08:14]
- Is there something in God’s Word that you understand but have been putting off responding to? What makes that response difficult, and what small step could you take now? [17:08]
- Who in your life believes differently about salvation? How could you speak honestly about your hope in Jesus while showing that person genuine humility, care, and welcome? [22:35]
- God’s restoring work begins now through the Holy Spirit. Where do you long for growth in holiness or healing in a relationship, and what safe, practical step toward that growth might be possible? [28:34]
- Heaven’s deepest comfort is being at home with God. How might that promise shape the way you carry a present loss, disappointment, or unanswered longing? What support would you welcome from this group? [31:33]
