The Mayfield Class

Reflection Questions What stuck out to you about either the context of Genesis or the opening two verses? Why?  How does understanding the wilderness (Exodus) context of when Genesis was written help us to read Genesis with fresh eyes?   Why is it significant that “God” (Elohim) is plural in verse 1, while “created” is singular?  How does knowing your origin story in Genesis shape your identity as...

Reflection Questions 1. Solomon’s final word is “Fear God and keep His commandments.” What is one step, in light of this passage and this book, you could take this week to live that out more intentionally? 2. What does it mean to “approach God’s Word with great care”? (12:9)  How does that challenge the way you’ve read Scripture this past year? 3. Solomon says the words of the wise are like “goads...

Reflection Questions 1. In light of all we have read in Ecclesiastes, what does it mean to live “worthy of the calling” God has given us, and how can remembering future accountability before God motivate us to live faithfully today? 2. Why is laziness such a danger to our spiritual lives, not just our work lives? (Ecc 11:1-6) 3. Solomon says life is sweet and we should rejoice in our days. What do...

Reflection Questions 1. How does Solomon’s reminder that death comes to all (9:2–3) challenge the way we view our daily lives? 2 Which of Solomon’s points on enjoying God’s blessing (9:7-10) resonated with you and why? Daily provisions, spouse, or work.  3. Solomon reminds us that even wise people are quickly forgotten (9:15). How does this truth redirect us to live for Christ rather than human re...

Reflection Questions 1. How do verses 5–6 remind us that wisdom involves knowing the right time and the right way to respond? What does this look like practically in our workplaces, churches, or communities? 2. How does acknowledging our limits (vv. 7–8) help us avoid rebellion and instead trust God’s sovereignty over authority, justice, and death? 3. How can we teach our children to respect autho...

Reflection Questions:  1. How does impatience reveal pride in our hearts? Can you think of a recent situation where impatience led to anger? (Ecc 7:7-12) 2. How might reflecting on God’s sovereignty, “consider the words of God,” change the way you approach your devotional life? How are you doing that, or what steps can you take to start doing that? (7:13-14) 3. Avoiding Extremes (7:15-18)    A. Wh...

Reflection Questions 1. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting.” Why might sorrow be more spiritually impactful than celebrations? How does this align with the gospel? 2. In 6:1–6, Solomon describes someone who has everything but cannot enjoy it. What does this teach us about the difference between having blessings and receiving them...

Reflection Questions 1. How does the reality of injustice (vs 1-3) deepen your longing for Christ’s return and His perfect justice? 2. Solomon warns against both envy-driven toil and lazy disengagement (vs 4-5). Where do you tend to lean, toward overwork or underwork? 3. What does “one handful of quietness” (vs 6) look like in your current season of life? How can you pursue gospel-centered balance...

Reflection Questions 1. In light of verses 1-8, how does acknowledging that time is in God’s hands, not ours, change the way you approach your daily decisions? 2. Verse 11 says God has “put eternity into man’s heart.” How do you see that longing for eternity show up in your own life? 3. Solomon says there’s “nothing better” than to be joyful and do good (vs 12-13, 22). What does joyful obedience l...

Reflection Questions 1. Solomon pursued every form of pleasure imaginable: wine, wealth, projects, possessions, and relationships (vs 3-11). Why do these things fail to satisfy the soul? How can we enjoy good gifts from God without turning them into idols? 2. Solomon wrestles with the reality that both the wise and the foolish die, and that even great legacies fade (vs 12-17). What legacy are you...

Reflection Questions 1. Solomon says, “Vanity of vanities… all is vanity” in verse 2. What areas of life feel most futile to you right now, and why? 2. (2 Part Question)    a) How does the phrase “under the sun” help us understand Solomon’s perspective on life? Aka, how does death render everything we do as meaningless?   b) What changes when we shift our view to “under the Son”? Aka, how does Jes...

Reflection Questions 1. What would you say changed for Job in light of his encounter with God in Job 38-41 that leads him to repentance? 2. What does today’s passage teach us about the power of God’s word (2 Tim 3:16) and repentance?  3. What stuck out to you about Job 42:7-9 and how God addresses Job’s three friends?  4. How do you feel about the fact that nowhere in the book does God explain to...

Reflection Questions 1. How does God’s response in these chapters challenge the way we approach suffering and unanswered questions? In what ways do these chapters expose the limits of human understanding of God? 2. What do the rhetorical questions and creation imagery reveal about God’s sovereignty and wisdom? 3. How do these chapters speak to the dangers of pride, especially in seasons of sufferi...

Reflection Questions 1. Which of Eliphaz’s six “mistakes” stuck out to you and why?  2. How is Ephesians 5:15-21 helpful in light of Job 4-5, in understanding how to be prepared to offer biblically grounded encouragement and counseling to others?  3. In what ways does Eliphaz rely on personal experiences rather than God’s Word? Do you find yourself guilty of that, too? How can we guard against tha...

Reflection Questions 1. Given all that has happened this past week, how is Job 2-3 an encouragement to you?  2. What does Job 2 teach us about God?  3. What does Job 2 & 3 teach us about man/sin?  4. How might Job 3 help to change your mindset when you are experiencing times of suffering?

Reflection Question 1. What are characteristics of Job that we see in Job 1:1-5, and why are they important for us to know about him and to consider about our own spiritual lives?  2. What can we learn from Job’s response to sudden and intense suffering? What does his posture of worship reveal about his view of God? 3. How would you describe God’s role and Satan’s role in Job’s suffering? In light...

Reflection Questions 1. What do verses 23-24 reveal about the Apostle Paul’s heart (aka his desire) towards the church? How is that impactful to you?  2. Which of the 4 desires/words stuck out to you the most, and why? Peace? Love? Faith? Grace?  3. What was more impactful to you from verses 21 and 22: The power of sharing your testimony or the power of being a faithful friend and servant of the L...

Reflection Questions 1. How alert and persevering is your prayer life? Where do you tend to drift or disengage?  2. What role does prayer play in your spiritual warfare? (Preparation, defense, or both?) How did today’s passage possibly change your viewpoint?  3. How do you currently pray for “all the saints”? What new routines might help you intercede for others beyond your immediate circle? 4. Wh...

Reflection Questions 1. What does it mean to “take up the whole armor of God”? Why is it necessary for standing firm? 2. Knowing that the whole armor is meant to be worn altogether, not just in pieces. In your walk with Christ, which part of the armor is strongest and which needs attention? 3. What rhythms currently help you (or could help you) “put on” the armor daily… especially in light of your...

Reflection Questions 1. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says our struggle is “not against flesh and blood”? How does that change the way we view conflict in our lives? 2. The Apostle Paul describes Satan as organized, powerful, and cunning. Where have you underestimated the enemy’s influence in your life? 3. The Apostle Paul commands us to “be strong in the Lord.” What does that look like...

Reflection Questions Which of the four commands to employees/slaves resonated with you? And how does this passage challenge our cultural view of work, authority, and leadership? Respect (Vs 5), Sincere heart (vs 5), considerate (6), and pleasant (vs 7-8).  What does it look like to work “as unto the Lord” in your current job or role? How does this passage connect to the broader theme of walking in...

Reflection Questions 1. What does it mean for children to obey “in the Lord”? How does this shape our understanding of obedience as an act of worship, not just compliance? 2. Why do you think Paul addresses fathers specifically in verse 4? What does this say about spiritual leadership and responsibility in the home? 3. What does “discipline and instruction of the Lord” look like practically? How c...

Reflection Questions 1. Which of the five ways husbands are to love their wives stood out to you? (Sacrifically vs 25, Sanctifying vs 26-27, sensitive vs 28-29, satisfying vs 29-30, and specific vs 31-32) 2. How does Paul’s command for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church challenge our cultural view of love? 3. In what ways does your marriage relationship serve as a witness to t...

Reflection Questions 1. Equal before God, but distinct in their household roles. What stood out to you in the passage about the role of a Godly wife?  2. What stood out to you about the role of a Godly husband?  3. How does verse 18-21 and being Holy Spirit-filled change your perception of verses 22-24 and submission?  4. Why is verse 23, Christ is the head of the Church, critical to understanding...

Reflection Questions 1. What does it look like to “make the best use of the time” in your current season of life (parenting, work, etc.) and how does the reality that “the days are evil” shape your urgency and intentionality?       Hint: What are some practical ways you can evaluate and realign your daily treadmill to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel? 2. The Apostle Paul contrasts foolishness...