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Who might have been the author of Ecclesiastes?
Solomon
What is the full theme of Ecclesiastes is revealed in Ecclesiastes 2.
Life is meaningless without God at the center.
What was the Teacher’s conclusion from his search for meaning?
He couldn’t find lasting fulfillment or satisfaction in any of those things.
What does it mean to fear God?
To have a reverence, awe, and respect for God. To recognize that he is sovereign (in control) over all situations.
What is our ultimate purpose here on Earth?
To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Why did the Teacher say that his pursuit of understanding God’s ways was a heavy burden?
No matter how hard he tried, he would never be able to understand all of God’s ways. The more he tried to understand the more he realized he didn’t know.
Why is it hard to understand God’s ways?
We are sinful humans with limited knowledge.
What does the Teacher recommend concerning the enjoyment of life?
He gives the comforting advice that because we can’t control what happens to us in life, we should accept that God is in control and enjoy life’s blessings because they are all gifts from God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 says that God has set eternity in our hearts. What does this mean?
God created us in His image which means our hearts long to be with him in heaven. Because Jesus defeated death for us on the cross, we live in the hope of eternal life and a life free from sin.
According to Ecclesiastes, how do we get wisdom?
By putting God at the center of our lives.
Why might Solomon be the author of Ecclesiastes?
He was a wise man who was able to “test” out power, riches and fame and examine life under God and without Him.
How was Hebrew wisdom literature different from that of the cultures around them?
Hebrew wisdom literature taught people to turn to God for wisdom in hard times.
How should we approach the work we are given here on Earth? Why?
We should work at everything as if working for the Lord—doing our best work and appreciating God’s gifts. We should not be lazy but use our gifts and talents to glorify God.
Explain how it is freeing to know that God is in control in light of uncertainties and injustice.
No matter what happens to us here on earth we can trust that God knows what he’s doing and has a bigger plan than we could ever understand.
What does worldly wisdom lead to?
It causes us to follow our own sinful desires and ideas of what is right. "Following your heart".
What is the Teacher searching for?
The meaning and purpose of life “under the sun” (on earth)
Why should we think critically about the advertisements/commercials we see?
Because they are trying to sell us products and ideas which contain messages about where we should find our fulfillment. Their messages are often subtle so we don’t even realize that we start trying to find our happiness in things or people instead of God.
Matthew 6:19-24 tells us to store up our treasures in heaven. What does this mean?
Our focus should not be on gathering temporary possessions here on earth, but instead on putting God first in our lives because our eternal home is in heaven.
Why is wisdom important?
Wisdom helps us to make choices that honor God.
What does Godly wisdom lead to? Give an example of what Godly wisdom looks like.
Making decisions based on what God says is right.
Give an example of patterns in nature that the Teacher uses to support his theme in chapter 1.
The sun rises and the sun sets, The wind blows to the south
and turns to the north, All streams flow into the sea,
yet the sea is never full, The eye never has enough of seeing,
nor the ear its fill of hearing, No one remembers the former generations
The Teacher tested many things on his quest to find ultimate meaning in life. Name those 6 avenues.
Riches, pleasures, work, advancement, wisdom, glory/possessions.
How does the statement “God has made everything beautiful in its time” give us comfort?
Everything that happens here on earth is under God’s control and sovereignty. This means that we can trust that everything that happens in our lives is part of God’s big plan and that He is working everything out for our good.
What does Ecclesiastes 11:9 tell us about our choices?
You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you into judgment.
Our choices matter because at the end God will judge all things. We must make wise choices that honor God rather than following our own sinful desires.
What is the conclusion of the matter?
Fear God and keep His commandments.