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Sermon Discussion Guide - 06/01/2025
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What I Wish I Knew at 20:
Numb Isn’t Happy
Sermon Recap
This message centers on Solomon’s reflections in Ecclesiastes 2, revealing that chasing pleasure and productivity to numb life’s pain ultimately leaves us empty. Through modern illustrations and personal honesty, the sermon warns against escapism - whether through entertainment, substances, or success - and calls believers to bring their ache to Jesus, who alone offers true healing and peace. Key scriptures include Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, Proverbs 14:13, and Isaiah 53:4-5.
Ice Breakers
- If you could instantly become an expert in one hobby or skill, what would it be?
- What’s your go-to “comfort” activity after a long day - binge watching, snacks, scrolling, etc.?
- What’s the most unnecessary thing you've ever bought online?
Discussion Questions
- Context: The sermon opened with a relatable scene - coming home tired and instinctively reaching for a distraction. Solomon did the same in Ecclesiastes 2, seeking escape through pleasure when life felt relentlessly heavy.
- Application: What does your go-to emotional escape say about what you’re trying to avoid? How might recognizing that help you bring your weariness to God instead?
- Context: Solomon chased experiences - wine, laughter, folly - to find happiness, but concluded that “numb isn’t happy.” The sermon emphasized that we often settle for quick fixes that never truly heal.
- Application: Can you recall a time when something felt good in the moment but left you feeling emptier afterward? What does that teach you about the difference between relief and healing?
- Context: After pleasure failed him, Solomon turned to projects and success (Ecclesiastes 2:4-8), but even those left him unsatisfied. The sermon challenged the cultural narrative that achievement equals value.
- Application: Do you ever find your identity wrapped up in your accomplishments or busyness? What might it look like to find your worth in Christ instead?
- Context: The sermon closed with the idea that Jesus offers eternal peace, not through avoidance, but through surrender. “Your next step matters more than your last.”
- Application: Is there something you’ve been trying to control, avoid, or numb? What would it look like to surrender that area to Jesus today?
- Context: Isaiah 53 shows Jesus not avoiding pain, but embracing it - carrying our sorrows and healing our wounds. The sermon highlighted that God doesn’t shame our ache; He meets us in it.
- Application: What would change in your spiritual life if you believed God welcomes your brokenness instead of expecting you to “pull it together”?
Prayer
• Pray for courage to face our inner ache honestly, rather than numbing it.
• Pray for God’s healing presence to replace harmful escapes with real peace.
• Thank God for being near in our struggles and for carrying our burdens.
• Invite the group to pray for one another’s specific needs and next steps.
Leader Tip
When discussing sensitive topics like emotional exhaustion or escapism, create a safe and nonjudgmental space. Let people share at their comfort level. A gentle follow-up question like “Can you tell me more about that?” can open doors without pressure. Remind your group: healing often begins with honesty, and they don’t have to fix everything—just take one next step with Jesus.