This is a lesson I did for Kindred Hearts Ladies meeting. I got the idea from Mrs. Kelly Ball when she did my daughter's bridal shower. Some points are from her and of course I re-work lessons to be my own. I loved how she tied it to relationships.
Ecc. 3:1-8
This is a lesson to help in all our relationships including spouses, children, friends, family, co-workers, enemies and God.
We always say there is a time and a place for everything. Often we use this thought when realizing it is NOT the right time or place to say or do something.
---I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't clear your conscience at someone else's expense. Don't tell someone you've wronged them on their death bed. It will only hurt them.
Verse 1 - God says there is a season and a purpose and a time frame for everything in life.
Verse 2 - We are physically born and we physically die. If we trust Christ as our Savior, we are spiritually born and will not spiritually die.
A TIME TO PLANT - We need to plant good seeds of kindness, encouragement, and witnessing, etc to our husbands, kids, family friends, co-workers and enemies - Gal. 6:7
----Men need their egos stroked, they need to feel respected. They want to feel like they are doing a good job of providing, protecting and caring
----Kids need us to believe in them, to love them unconditionally, to hear kind things, to hear they matter and are important
---Family, friends, co-workers need to be shown God's love- to be shown compassion, God's Word - may help get saved
Enemies should be shown kindness also -Romans 12:20 - Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
A TIME TO PLUCK UP - We need to pluck up weeds in relationships ***Nip it in the bud as Barney Fife would say.
If we get hold of and pluck up a bad seed that has been planted BEFORE it takes root, it is easier to get rid of.
---Some weeds to pluck up can be angry or biting words, critical words, condemning words, retaliating or hurtful acts
****EX. withholding affection because we are mad, or punishing a child harshly over a minor offense. - Col. 3:12-13
A good prayer to start each day Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Verse 3 -
A TIME TO KILL - In our relationships we need to kill bad attitudes quickly - Eph. 4:26
A TIME TO HEAL - Do what is necessary to fix a broken relationship, even if the other person doesn't want to remain close. Forgive others their wrongs.
--Eph. 4:32
--Rom. 12:21 - Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
--Matt. 18:15 - Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and thee alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
--Matt. 5:23-24 - Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the alter, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the alter, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
A TIME TO BREAK DOWN - We need to break down walls that hinder communication.
---Things that hinder: angry words, lies, corrupt - Prov. 15:1
---Prov. 16:24 - Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
--Matt. 5:37 - But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
A TIME TO BUILD UP - Everyone needs encouragement and to be built up once in awhile. Give compliments to people.
---Eph. 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
---Gal. 6:1-2
---Prov. 14:1a - Every wises woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
---Prov. 12:25 - Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
Verse 4:
A TIME TO WEEP - means to cry
Allow yourself to cry and allow others to cry - Rom. 12:15
---Women know that a good cry cleanses and refreshes. Women also know that group cries bond people.
---We should also weep over our sin & the sins of others -James 4:8-10
A TIME TO LAUGH - Laughter is good for the body and soul. Laughter releases endorphins and makes you feel good
---Prov. 17:22, Prov. 15:13
Seems like the older we get, the less we laugh - we lose some of our silliness and giggles
---we need to have fun with our loved ones
A TIME TO MOURN - includes crying but mostly last for a longer period of time and shows sadness in ways other than tears (loss of appetite, sleeplessness, loss of interest in hygiene)
There will be sadness in life and relationships. It is ok to feel sad when we have a loss or when others disappoint us or even when we disappoint ourselves.
---Mourn over our own sins and sins of others
Psalm 34:18 - The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
---1 Cor. 5:1-3
A TIME TO DANCE - Dancing is talked about in the Bible even though baptists don't like to admit it. However, the only good dancing talked about is to dance in praise to the Lord.
---Ps. 149:3, Ps. 150:4
------ I thought about that and about leaping for joy. Now women seem to do this better than men but men do jump up and down in glee at a sporting event.
---Women kinda bounce and clap over anything that makes them happy or excited.
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