What's Next?

This week, the start of our series on Solomon happens to coincide with our Kingdom Builder’s service. Solomon was set up to be a Kingdom Builder! He was God’s chosen king. His position was highly favored. His name and life were meant to represent peace and restoration. Throughout his reign, Solomon grew in both wisdom and understanding. His life’s trajectory could have been so different. But what happened? Where did things fall apart? Solomon did not handle his success with humility. His pride was his downfall. King Solomon is the perfect example of the internal struggle between light and darkness. He had two options – to put God at the center of his life or himself. He chose himself. And it destroyed him from the inside out.

We have that same choice! Do we lay down our pride and exchange a temporary empire for His eternal kingdom? The answer to this question can change the trajectory and purpose of our lives. When we make the decision to be a Kingdom Builder instead of an empire builder, we choose to avoid a prideful downfall. We are humbly choosing to put God’s Kingdom first! Scripture encourages us in this in Matthew 6:33. It says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Here at Venture, we are Kingdom Builders!

1.      How could Solomon’s prideful downfall have been avoided? What can we learn from his actions so that we do not find ourselves in a similar situation?
2.      Am I focused on building God’s eternal kingdom? Is God on the throne of my life? Or am I?
3.      What am I building in my own life? What is my motivation?
4.      How is God asking me to participate in Kingdom Builders?

King Solomon's Empire by Margaret P. Roy
1 Kings 1-11 Proverbs & Ecclesiastes: The Rise & Fall of Solomon by John MacArthur
King Solomon: Life Lessons from the Wisest Man Who Ever Lived by Bill Crowder
The Root of Righteous by A.W. Tozer
1 & 2 Kings: A Theological Bible Commentary on 1 & 2 Kings from Leading Contemporary Theologians