Ecclesiastes
To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.
To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.
Introduction
Last week we discussed how sometimes God shows us that our plans are not his plans and how by following God’s vision for our lives then we will experience a much more fulfilling life that serves God’s purpose for his creation better.
Discuss together how you have been trying to listen to God’s direction this week instead more this week.
Afterwards, begin your meeting with prayer.
Connect
- What aspects of your life do you try to make a priority? Why are these important to you?
- What do you think determines whether someone is worth respect?
- Who do you respect? How do you show this person respect?
- What do you think it means to live wisely? How do you try to do this?
- How do you think your life is affected by living this way?
Opening Thought
People often try to look for purpose in the things around them. The problem with this is that many times, the aspects of our life we think will help us end up leaving us empty or feeling like there is never enough of it. Our instinct can be to try to look for meaning in something else. The problem is that we eventually find that nothing can give us the purpose we long for in this world. When we turn to God, however, we find the thing that nothing else can satisfy: a meaningful life.
This leads us to our main idea for this week:
Main idea for the week
We can experience a meaningful life when we follow God with reverence
The Story so Far
The kingdom of Israel was united under King David and then passed down to Solomon. God asked Solomon to tell him a way that he could bless him in his newfound kingship and Solomon responded that he wanted wisdom so that he could govern the Israelite people well. God, being pleased with this answer, not only blessed Solomon with wisdom but also with riches and fame. This caused Solomon’s 40-year reign as king in Israel to be known as the golden age of the kingdom of Israel.
Here’s where we are this week
To get a glimpse of the wisdom of Solomon, this week, instead of reading through a narrative, we will be doing an overview of Ecclesiastes, which belongs to a genre of books in the Old Testament known as Wisdom Literature. Ecclesiastes is traditionally thought to be written King Solomon but the author is not explicitly stated. Instead, the author names themselves “The Teacher” or “the Preacher” (depending on translation) and uses Ecclesiastes as a philosophical writing about various aspects of life and their relationship with God. Wisdom literature teaches us practical skills for everyday living and should not be read as God’s promises so this week when reading Ecclesiastes, it’s important to remember that we read these verses to better learn about God and how we can live in relationship with him.
Unpack
This week, we will be reading different verses throughout Ecclesiastes. Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses:
Read
Ecclesiastes 1:1-8
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Unpack
- Why do you think the author of Ecclesiastes says everything is meaningless?
- What do you think the purpose of wisdom is?
- Why do you think people place so much emphasis on physical things or emotions in this world instead of being wise?
- Do you agree or disagree with what the author of Ecclesiastes is saying in the verses we’ve just read? What makes you think this is true?
Read
Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
Ecclesiastes 5:4-7
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
Ecclesiastes 11:5
Unpack
- What do you think the author of Ecclesiastes considers important in life? Why do you think he considers these things important?
- Compare this with what you normally think is important in your life. How do these things line up with the author’s values?
- What do you think the author believes true wisdom is, according to the verses we just read?
- How could having great reverence for God (aka “fearing God”) give our lives meaning?
- How would your life look if this was your main pursuit in life?
- How could having great reverence for God (aka “fearing God”) give our lives meaning?
- While the author makes it very clear that living wisely on earth is essential, how do you think we can we understand the phrase: “God placed eternity in the human heart?”
- How could looking towards the future gift of being with God help us live wisely here on earth?
Read
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Ecclesiastes 12:8-14
Unpack
- The verses we just read repeat the theme of “remembering”. Why do you think the author wrote it this way? What does it mean to remember God?
- Why is remembering God so important?
- How much time each week do you spend remembering God? How could doing this help you have reverence for God?
- Given your current life circumstances, are there specific areas where you could show more reverence to God? If you feel comfortable, share an example with the group.
- How could living with more reverence of God daily change your life?
- Why is remembering God so important?
- The author states in verses 13 that the conclusion for all his search for meaning is “Fear God and obey his commands”. Why do you think this is the most important aspect of all life, according to the author?
Apply
Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be:
- What is one way you will try to live more wisely this week in order to show reverence to God?
- What change in your life will you make in order to show others how important God is in your life?
- What is one aspect of your life you will place less emphasis on to spend more time with God?
- What are some ways we as a group can help each other have more meaningful reverence for God in the way we live?
Closing
Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section:
The Teacher in Ecclesiastes looked for meaning in everything that existed in his world and still could not find it, until he turned to God. This week, let’s try to follow that example. What are the ways you keep trying to look for meaning in your life that just isn’t satisfying you? Let’s try to seek God instead. When we put him in the highest place of honor and reverence in our lives, we can see how God gives our lives meaning and purpose more than anything else in this world can.
Prayer and Verses
Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group.
Thematic Verse for the Week
*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week.
Proverbs 1:7
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us.
**Join us next week as we go through the story of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal.
Daily Devotional Verses
Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below.
Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well.
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read?
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read?
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned.
Day 1: James 3:17
Day 2: Ephesians 5:15-17
Day 3: Proverbs 4:7
Day 4: Job 28:28
Day 5: Proverbs 13:20
Day 6: Jeremiah 9:24