We know that Northview people love to be in God’s Word and often ask for direction on different devotional apps and reading plans.

While there are several good options available through various sources, we’d like to encourage you to join in our Northview Devotional Guide which will guide you to read and reflect on the passages preached in our weekend sermons! We hope this will unite our congregation around the study of God’s Word, and help us to more readily absorb and apply the great teaching provided by our preaching pastors. Each week we’ll be providing a suggested schedule for working through a passage slowly (15 minutes a day). You’ll need a Bible and a notebook or blank paper to record your observations.

Each day we include a reminder to pray. If you are new to the Adoration / Confession / Supplication method, here are some questions to help guide you as you pray:

  • Adoration: What can you praise God for today?
  • Confession: What thoughts / attitudes / actions might you need to confess to God today?
  • Supplication: What will you ask God for today?

Click here to download printable version


Day 1 – Commands: Remember

Read Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 and answer the following questions:

  • According to 12:1-5, when should you remember your Creator?
    • Why should you remember your creator?
    • What future events are Ecclesiastes 12:2-5 describing? (when will the sun and moon grow dark,  and life as we know it cease? If you need a hint look at Joel 2:28-32 or Revelation 8:12)
  • According to 12:6-7, when should you remember your Creator?
    • What future event is Ecclesiastes 12:7 describing? (If you need a hint look at Genesis 3:19 and  Ecclesiastes 3:20)
  • Reflect: How does it benefit a person to remember God before the “Day of the Lord” when he returns, and before their own death? 

Prayer:  Pray today in an attitude of confession and supplication. In what ways have you forgotten God in the last week, or in the last day? Ask God to reorient your mind so that you live each day with the end in mind.

Day 2 – Commands: Fear God

Read Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 and answer the following questions:

  • Why should a person fear God and keep his commandments?
  • What does it mean to fear God?  If you’re not sure, here’s a good summary article: https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-God.html
  • Read Psalm 19:7-11.  
    • How does King David describe God’s commandments?
    • What does he say is the benefit of keeping God’s commandments? 
  • Reflect: How does it benefit a person to fear God and keep his commands? 

Prayer:  Pray today in an attitude of confession and supplication. In what ways have you disobeyed God’s commands  recently? Ask God to help you fear him rightly.

Day 3  – Final Reflections: On the Teacher

Read Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 and answer the following questions:

  • What are the first and last words of the teacher in this book? (see Ecclesiastes 1:2 and 12:8)
  • What are the author’s final words about the teacher? 
    • How does he describe the teacher?
    • What does he say the teacher did? 
    • What does he say about what the teacher wrote?

Prayer: Pray today in an attitude of praise!  Think about people who have imparted wisdom and knowledge to you.  Who are they? Praise God for them.

Day 4 – Final  Reflections: On Wisdom

Read Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 and answer the following questions:

  • How are the “words of the wise” described?
    • What does this mean?
    • Who gives us the “words of the wise”?
  • Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 for the Apostle Paul’s reflection on the “words of the wise” as recorded in Scripture.  
    • What do the “words of the wise” do for people according to Paul?
    • According to 2 Timothy 3:16, who gives us the “words of the wise”? 
    • How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 help you to understand what the author of Ecclesiastes is  saying in 12:11? 

Prayer: Pray today in an attitude of confession.  Search your own heart and mind, and ask yourself if you are  allowing God’s wise word to teach you, rebuke you, correct you and train you in righteousness.  Is there a specific way / specific area in which you are resisting God’s word?

 

Day 5 – Final Reflections: On Ecclesiastes

Glance back over the notes you have made as you’ve studied the book of Ecclesiastes over the past few weeks.

  • What have you learned from studying this book of Scripture?

Prayer: As you pray today, praise God for what he has taught you from Ecclesiastes, and ask for Him to help you remember and live in light of what you have learned.