Ecclesiastes

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? 
  • 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? 
  • 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 

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PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

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