Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 12

Departing thought: How does a life “under the sun” compare to a life centered on God? Pray that the Lord would give you the wisdom to fear God and keep his commandments, that you would love your neighbor as yourself, and that you would do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 12

Memory Verse: “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 12:

Read Ecclesiastes 12 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

1. Who is the author reminding us that the Teacher was? Look back to 1 Kings 4:29-34. 

2. Verse 11 indicates that there is some pain involved as one who is learning is guided in the right direction in life. How have you experienced “growing pains” as you traverse this journey of faith? How have the words of the wise been painful but helpful? Look up Hebrews 4:12.

3. Keeping Ecclesiastes 7:27 in mind, how can we interpret the advice in verse 12?

4. What is the final conclusion? How does that practically look? Look up Deuteronomy 10:12 and Micah 6:8.

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 12:

Read Ecclesiastes 12 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 

1. How does the “remember your Creator” view differ from the “under the sun” view?

2.  How does the call to remember imply action? Look up Genesis 8:1 and 1 Samuel 1:19-20.

3. How does it look to remember your Creator in one’s youth? Look up 1 Timothy 4:6-16

4. How does verse 7 differ from Ecclesiastes 3:20-21? Why do they differ?


5.  Verse 8 is identical to Ecclesiastes 1:2. How does this bookend everything that has been said in Ecclesiastes so far? What or who makes life so that it is not meaningless?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 11

Departing thought: The further along we get into Ecclesiastes, the more encouragement there is to be found. It can be tempting to complain about and become weary with various situations in our lives. But young or old, we are encouraged to find joy in life and in situations. “Life is too short to focus on problems alone.” There is always someone who wishes they could be in your shoes. Having a difficult time at work? Be thankful that you are employed. Overwhelmed by homework? Be thankful for the opportunity to be educated. Find ways to be thankful and joyful in every situation this week. See what a difference it will make!

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 11

Memory Verse: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 11:

Read Ecclesiastes 11 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 11:7-10

1.  How does verse 7 point to hope?

2.  What are the similarities and differences between the advice to the old and the advice to the young?

3. What advice would you give a youth who wanted to balance enjoyment and accountability?
Look up 2 Corinthians 7:1 and 2 Timothy 2:22.

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 11:

Read Ecclesiastes 11 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

1. How does this section outline the uncertainties of life?

2.  How might verse 2 speak about investing in the lives of others? Look up Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 10:42, Luke 14:12-14, 2 Corinthians 9, Galatians 6:9-10

3. How can we be encouraged by the verses in this section?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 10

Departing thought: In chapter 10, we see the contrast between the wise and the foolish person. We are reminded of the importance of words and what impact they can have, for better or for worse. How can you use your words to encourage someone in the next week? Ask God to give you wisdom as you speak this week, to be able to say words that people need to hear, and to refrain from saying what will only bring destruction.

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 10

Memory Verse: “Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” Proverbs 4:5-9

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 10:

Read Ecclesiastes 10 and then answer the following questions:

Section 3: Ecclesiastes 10:13-20


1. What gets fools into trouble? What are characteristics of fools? Look up Proverbs 12:23 and Proverbs 18:2, 6-7, 13.


2.  How do verses 16-18 reinforce verses 5-7?



3.  In light of the verses 5-19, where foolish leadership has created chaos in society, what is the context of verse 20?
  

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 10:

Read Ecclesiastes 10 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 10:5-12

1.  How does a lack of wisdom in leadership create chaos? Look up Isaiah 3:1-12 

2.  How do verses 8-9 show the importance of wisdom in everyday tasks?

3. What do verses 10-12 tell us about the benefits of wisdom?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 10:

Read Ecclesiastes 10 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 10:1-4

1. What are the consequences for undervaluing wisdom?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 9

Departing thought: What are some of the main themes that you have seen in Ecclesiastes up through this point? Are the themes more positive or negative in nature? Does your answer surprise you? Why or why not? How do you see the themes of Ecclesiastes played out for those who do not know Jesus? How do you see the themes played out for those who do know Jesus?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 9

Memory Verse: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 9:

Read Ecclesiastes 9 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 

1. Make a list of what is contrasted in this section (i.e., what is small and what is great, what is important and unimportant, what is valued and what is not, etc).

2. How do verses 17-18 reinforce what was already said in verses 13-16?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 9:

Read Ecclesiastes 9 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

1.  What does verse 3 tell us about the people described in verses 1-2?

2. Where can people under the sun find hope? Where can people who know God find hope? Look up Romans 15:13 and Ephesians 2:12-13.

3. “Even under the sun, there is life that should and can be grasped. God created has created life to be enjoyed, not just endured.” In verses 7-10, what are the commands given?

4. How can people under the sun have a truly rich and satisfying life? Look up John 10:10b.

5. What do verses 11-12 say about human ability?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 9

Departing thought: “This world is imperfect, to be sure, but that sobering reality must not blind humans to the joys that God has provided in life. God has given substantive blessings in life that are intended to function as a delightful oasis in the desert of human temporal existence.”

What or who are some of the blessings in your life? Take some time to thank God for the ways he has blessed you and enabled you to enjoy life. How can you help others to be aware and thankful of God’s blessings in their own life?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 8

Memory Verse: “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:31-33

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 8:

Read Ecclesiastes 8 and then answer the following questions:

Section 3: Ecclesiastes 8:9-17

1. What do verses 9-14 tell us about the world?

2. What can we learn about God’s providence in verse 15? Look up Matthew 6:25-34.

3. Look back to Ecclesiastes 3:11. How does this help you to understand verses 16-17? What do you learn about God in these verses? What do you learn about humanity in these verses?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 8:

Read Ecclesiastes 8 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 8:2-8

1. What do you think verses 2-6 refer to? Look up Psalm 89:19-21, Proverbs 24:21-22, Isaiah 45:9, Proverbs 16:14-15, and Romans 13:1-7.

2. Where in Ecclesiastes have we already seen something similar to verses 5-6?

3. How might verses 7-8 be both encouraging and discouraging?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 8:

Read Ecclesiastes 8 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 8:1

1. Do you think that this verse concludes chapter 7, or introduces what follows in chapter 8?

Why do you think this?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 7

Departing thought: The Lord is the one who is able to give us wisdom. In what ways does God provide opportunities to develop wisdom and understanding? To whom or what do you normally look for meaning and satisfaction? How does it practically look to rely on God for your meaning and satisfaction?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 7

Memory Verse: “My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-6

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 7:

Read Ecclesiastes 7 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 7:15-29

1. You may have noticed that the author of Ecclesiastes seems to be on a quest to find meaning and satisfaction in life. Do you think that the book of Ecclesiastes is a good book to recommend to someone who is searching for meaning and satisfaction? Why or why not?

2. Why is it wise to avoid extremes?

3. What do you think verse 16 means? Look up Romans 12:3, and Ephesians 2:8-9.

4. Where is wisdom found? Look up Job 28:12-28 and Proverbs 2:1-6.

5. What do you think the seductive woman of verse 26 represents? Look up Proverbs 9.

6. Look up 1 King 11:1-3, Genesis 1:27, and Genesis 3:6-7. How do these verses help you to better understand Ecclesiastes 7:27-29?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 7:

Read Ecclesiastes 7 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

1. Why do you think the author of Ecclesiastes said that the day you die is better than the day you were born? Look up Psalm 90:12.

2. How does sadness refine us? Look up 2 Corinthians 7:8-11.

3. How does this section answer the question asked in Ecclesiastes 6:12?


4.  Which of these proverbs is the most encouraging? Which is the most challenging? The most convicting?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 6

Departing thought: Chapter 6 is another reminder that contentment and satisfaction are gifts from the Lord. Are the final three proverbs in this chapter encouraging or discouraging to you? In what way? What are you thankful for this week? While chapter 6 shows us that prosperity is not always as good as it seems, chapter 7 will remind us that problems are not as bad as they seem. Be encouraged: God, who loves us, is in control and sees the bigger picture. Sometimes things are not as they seem, but we can take comfort that God will provide us with all we need.

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 6

Memory Verse: “Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” Isaiah 55:2-3

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 6:

Read Ecclesiastes 6 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 6:10-12

1. How do each of these three proverbs match up with what you have read and studied so far in Ecclesiastes?

2. What are some characteristics of a shadow? Look up 1 Chronicles 29:15, Job 8:9, Psalm 102:11, Psalm 109:23. Compare these verses with Psalm 36:7 and Psalm 91:1. How do these characteristics help you to understand verse 12?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 6:

Read Ecclesiastes 6 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 6:1-9

1. How does the beginning of chapter 6 expound on the end of chapter 5?

2. Which is better, quality, or quantity?  From where or who do we find our satisfaction? Look up Isaiah 55. 

3. Throughout Ecclesiastes, you may have noticed that meaningless things are “like chasing the wind.” Pursuing the wind, especially the hot east wind, was a metaphor in biblical times for anything that was worthless or absurd.  See Hosea 12:1 for an example. How does this enhance your perception of the phrase, “like chasing the wind?” What are some examples of ways we “chase the wind” today?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 5

Departing thought: Even though the previous question, “Who is the source of wealth, enjoyment, and contentment?” seems like a “Sunday school question” where the answer is obviously God or Jesus, how often do we find ourselves with feelings of discontent? How often do you find yourself looking for happiness and contentment from other people and things? Pray that God would show you how to be content with where you are in life.

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 5

Memory Verse: “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 5:

Read Ecclesiastes 5 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

1. What seems to be happening in verses 8-9? Look up Proverbs 3:27-28.

2. What does this passage say is wrong about wealth and riches?

3. Is there anything encouragement for those who are wealthy? Look up Psalm 62:10b and 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

4. Who is the source of wealth, enjoyment, and contentment?

5. What does it mean to accept your lot in life? (See Philippians 4:11-13)

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 5:

Read Ecclesiastes 5 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

1.  What is a “mindless offering to God?” Look up Amos 5:21-24. What kind of offering does the Lord want?

 
2. How important are our words? Look up Matthew 12:36-37 and Ephesians 5:4.

3. Look up Matthew 15:10-11, Romans 3:13-14, James 1:26-27. How can your mouth make you sin?

4. How could verses 1-7 affect the way we pray?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 4

Departing thought: In all of the hustle and bustle of life, we can become too busy. We can be too busy to take care of the oppressed. We can be too busy to spend time in community and fellowship. We can be too busy to spend time alone, spend time with God, or even to spend time enjoying that which we worked so hard to acquire. It is important to try to find balance in life, between work and rest, and who we spend time with; between focusing on that which is temporary, and that which is eternal. What are some ways that you can find balance this week? Pray that God would show you an opportunity to take a break if you need one, or to give someone else the break that they need.

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 4

Memory Verse: The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 4:

Read Ecclesiastes 4 and then answer the following questions:

Section 3: Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

1.  Some think this is a fictional story, told in order to teach wisdom. In our culture we love a good “rags to riches” story. Why are “rags to riches” stories so encouraging? Who in the Bible also has a “rags to riches” story? (See Genesis 41 and 1 Samuel 16) 

2. Look up Psalm 39:4 and Isaiah 40:6-8. With these verses in mind, as well as Ecclesiastes 4:15-16, what is temporary in this world? What is lasting?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 4:

Read Ecclesiastes 4 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

1.  Look up 1 John 2:15-17 and Colossians 3:23. What is the difference between working for yourself and working for the Lord?

2. How do verses 7-8 relate to verses 4-6 (above)? 

3. What are the benefits of companionship, fellowship, community?

4. What or who do you think is being referred to when the author says, “Three are even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken?”

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 4:

Read Ecclesiastes 4 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6

1. Who are the oppressed of today’s society?  

2. Look up Jeremiah 7:3-7 and Zechariah 7:8-10. What does the Bible have to say about those who oppress others? How are we to treat each other? 

3. The idea of being “better off dead” or better yet, never born is not unique to Ecclesiastes (See Jeremiah 20:14-18 and Job 3:11-26). This wording is used to make the point that a life without “the God whom the Bible reveals, [is a] life not worth living.”  How do you think this idea is connected with verse 1?

4. The saying, “Keeping up with the Joneses” is similar to verse 4. What does the Bible have to say about envying what others have? How are we supposed to treat our neighbors? (See Exodus 20:17 and Matthew 22:39)

5. In verses 5-6, the folding of idle hands refers to not working at all. Having “one handful with quietness” is working to earn what you need, but not over-working yourself. Having “two handfuls with hard work” shows that while you may have earned more but at the cost of your own rest and tranquility (perhaps to “keep up with the Joneses”).  How are these proverbs relevant to society today? Do you think the author is condemning hard work?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 3

Departing thought: At this point, you are a quarter of the way through Ecclesiastes. What are your impressions so far? Where is hope to be found? What make life meaningful? How have you seen God in Ecclesiastes? How have you seen God working in your life, and in the lives of those you know? In the coming week, take note of all the ways (both big and small) you see the hand of God in your life. We have much to be thankful for!

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 3

Memory Verse: “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” Titus 2:11-14

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 3:

Read Ecclesiastes 3 and then answer the following questions:

Section 3: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

1.  Look up Matthew 16:27, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 2:6-11, and 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10. Is there any encouragement to be found in verses 16-17 (of Ecclesiastes 3)?

2. According to verses 18-20, how are humans and animals alike? How are they different?

3. Look up Psalm 49:8-15. What is the fate of those who do not know the Lord? Why do you think that the author of Ecclesiastes concludes that for people under the sun, there is nothing better than being happy in their work?

4. Look up Titus 2:11-14. Who redeems us from meaninglessness?

Some Panoramas

In the long process of quitting Facebook, I am going through all of my pictures and deciding which ones to keep, and which ones to toss. I love these panoramic pictures, but probably will never print them...so to the blog they go!

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 3:

Read Ecclesiastes 3 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

1. Look up Genesis 3:17-19. What is the “burden God has placed on us all?” What is this the result of?

2. Look up Job 5:9 and Romans 11:33. What do you think it means that even though God placed eternity in the human heart, but we still cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end? How does this make you feel?

3. Interspersed throughout Ecclesiastes are glimpses of the good life. What do you think it means to live a good life? 

4.  Look up Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19: Leviticus 25:14-17, and Matthew 22:37-40. In light of these passages, what does it mean to fear God? 

5. The saying, “history repeats itself” is similar to verse 15. Have you seen this happen? How?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 3:

Read Ecclesiastes 3 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1. There is a time for everything. Which of these verses speaks to a situation in your life? Why? Are any of these verses confusing to you?

2. The Hebrew words for time in this passage describe “an appointed or divinely determined time.”
God is involved in the lives of his people. Upon close inspection, one can see that despite the apparent chaos of life under the sun, there is divine order. Have you seen God’s hand in your life? How?

3. Are there any aspects of life that seem to be missing from this list?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 2

Departing thought: Chapter 2 of Ecclesiastes is starting to show a glimmer of hope. When we put our trust in Jesus, we have hope that whether we are rich or poor in this life, we can be content. In Luke 12, Jesus reminds us that “a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” How is your relationship with God? Take some time this week to seek after God and spend some time in prayer. What are you thankful for? What is troubling you? What are the desires of your heart? What does God have to say to you?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 2

Memory Verse: “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 2:

Read Ecclesiastes 2 and then answer the following questions:

Section 3: Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

1. Can you think of a modern day situation where someone squandered their inheritance? (Look also to Luke 15:11-31)

 
2. In light of everything you have read to this point, what is significant about verses 24-25? 

3.  Look up 1 Timothy 6:6-19. How does a life with faith and hope in God differ from life under the sun?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 2:

Read Ecclesiastes 2 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

1. Remembering that the author of Ecclesiastes is still referring to life under the sun, for whom does the age-old proverb (Look up Proverbs 17:24) that wisdom is better than foolishness fall flat? (Look up Psalm 49)

2. It seems to be a strong statement when someone says they hate life. Does it make any difference that the author hates life under the sun? What other Scripture uses this strong language? What is the context? (Look up Job 7, Psalm 119:104)

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 2:

Read Ecclesiastes 2 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

1. Look up Luke 12:13-21. How does Jesus’ parable about the rich fool help us to understand this section in Ecclesiastes?

2. What do you think the author means when he says that things like laughter and happiness are meaningless? Look up Proverbs 14:13.

 

3. Verses 4-11 show all of the wealth that King Solomon had acquired (Look up 1 Kings 7:1-12). What are some modern-day symbols of wealth?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 1

Departing thought: The book of Ecclesiastes starts out on a grim note, but it is illustrating what a life without the Lord is like. Do you know someone who is living this “tragic existence” and needs some hope? How can you share your hope this week? What are some ways that you are reminded of hope?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 1


Memory Verse: 

“For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.” Romans 8:22-23

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 1:

Read Ecclesiastes 1 and then answer the following questions:

Section 3: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 

1. Look up 1 Kings 4:29-34. Does it add to your understanding of 1:12-18? How?

 
2. The “tragic existence” dealt to the human race can be found in Genesis 3:19. If you have time, read all of Genesis 3. How did this “tragic existence” come about?

 
3. What does it mean to “learn something the hard way?” With verse 17 in mind, do you think that the author of Ecclesiastes learned things the hard way? What can we learn from him?

 
4. What do you think he means in verse 18 when he says, “The greater the wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.”? Can you think of a time where you were saddened by “knowing too much?

Bible Study -- Ecclesiastes

Lesson 1:

Read Ecclesiastes 1 and then answer the following questions:

Section 2: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

1. In 1:2 (and throughout Ecclesiastes) the Hebrew word translated into “meaningless” is also sometimes translated to the word “vanity,” but it also could mean “vapor.” What do all of these words have in common? (use a dictionary if you need to) 

2.“Under the sun” (1:3, and throughout. Also, “under heaven.”) refers to a life without God in it. With this in mind, what is the outlook for a life without God, as seen in this section?

 

3. There is a pattern of repetition within this section. What seems to be repeated?

4. Look at verse 8. Have you seen a situation like this “under the sun?” 

5. Look up Romans 8:18-25. What can we hope for?

Bible Study - Ecclesiastes

Lesson 1:

Read Ecclesiastes 1 and then answer the following questions:

Section 1: Ecclesiastes 1:1

1. Whose words are these? (See 1 Chronicles 29:23)

2. What are some characteristics of a good teacher?

Bible Study - Ecclesiastes Introduction

Welcome to a Bible study on the book of Ecclesiastes! 

This study is designed to help you become well-practiced and more knowledgable in navigating your Bible, to gain a love for Scripture, and of course to learn about and appreciate the wonderful, mysterious book of Ecclesiastes. 

Through this study, it is my hope that you would grow more in your faith and relationship with the Lord. There are twelve lessons, filled with questions to answer on your own throughout the week. Each lesson is broken up into sections, to help you to pace yourself. Do a little bit each day, and on the questions with several Scripture passages to look up -- look up at least one of the passages, but try to look up as many as time and interest allow. 

Each week will have Scripture to memorize (at the end of the lesson). This is to help you to really know Scripture, so that you can always have it with you as a guide. All of the memory verses and the questions were written with the New Living Translation in mind, but you are welcome to do the study in whichever translation of the Bible you already use. At the end of each lesson is a “departing thought.” This is an opportunity for you to apply what you have been studying to your life. Go as deep as you would like. The departing thought could also be used as a journal prompt.


Introduction to Ecclesiastes:
Authorship and Date: Traditionally, the author was identified as Solomon, but given the date of the book, and other indicators within the text, the most we can conclude is that it probably was not Solomon, but someone who was familiar with Solomon who was “a wise man, who taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs. This description suggests that he was a teacher...”

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when Ecclesiastes was written, but “the language of the book shows that it cannot have been written in the age of Solomon. ... Dates proposed for the book range from the Persian (5th-4th century B.C.E) to the Hellenistic period (3rd or early 2nd century B.C.E). ... As in the case of other Wisdom books, however, exact dating is not crucial here. The author is primarily concerned with aspects of life, and death, that are pertinent to all times and places.”

Literary Context, Genre, Structure, etc: Ecclesiastes belongs to what is called Wisdom literature.

“Ecclesiastes is one of the most rigidly structured books in the Bible. The principle of organization is dialectical, that is, based on a conflict between opposites. ... The narrative conflict underlying the dialectical structure is the contrast between a God-centered worldview and all the other worldviews. ...In addition to giving his work dialectical structure, the author has seized upon one of the oldest of all literary devices, the quest motif.”

Intended Audience and Purpose: Ecclesiastes is a timeless book written to all generations.

“It is an essay in apologetics. It defends the life of faith in a generous God by pointing out the grimness of the alternative.”

Overall Message: “...this book espouses the most basic theme of biblical literature -- that life lived by purely earthly or human values, without faith in God and supernatural values, is meaningless and futile. The key term in the book is the phrase ‘under the sun.’ This phrase, or its equivalent ‘under the heaven,’ occurs thirty times in the book and denotes that which is only earthly. To be ‘under the sun’ is to be earth-bound cut off from the supernatural order.”

So we must read Ecclesiastes with this in mind, that though it may seem like some of it is contradicting itself, we must keep in mind which worldview is being portrayed, life under the sun, or life with God. “When the narrator voices dispair over the futility of life under the sun, he is not affirming this as his final answer to life’s existence.”


Be blessed as you begin your study in Ecclesiastes!

Bible Study - Ecclesiastes

This has been an interesting summer without having the internet at home (minus phones...which are handy for checking social media and googling something...not so great for consistent blogging). It has been nice to have a break, but I will be grateful when we do get the internet back in our house (probably at least another month until that happens). Anyway, I am at a coffee shop today, utilizing their wireless and air conditioning (and a latte of course), to bring back to the world a regular daily blog post...for a little while anyway. Thanks, coffee shop! Thanks, scheduled posting!

So what will I post? I have taken some time to go back and read some lectionary postings, and would really like to get back in the groove of doing those again...but that is easier with a more consistent internet connection. I can only schedule so many of those in advance before I lose steam. So, next best thing: a daily posting of the Ecclesiastes Bible Study that I wrote in seminary. Hopefully it will be a daily encouragement for anyone who happens to stumble upon it.

Come back tomorrow for the introduction, and then daily for Bible study questions and things to reflect upon. Should be enough material to cover the month of August (and then some).

Cheers!

Ecclesiastes -- Works Cited

Here are the sources that I used for this study. I don't know how to do footnotes on this blog, so if you have a question about a specific quote, ask, and I can give you the source, page number, etc.

Works Cited and Consulted

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Chambers, Oswald. Shade of His Hand, Discovery House Publishers; Grand Rapids, MI; 1991

Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Fortress Press; Minneapolis, MN, 2004

Davis, Ellen F. Getting Involved With God, Cowley Publications; Boston, MA; 2001

Eaton, Michael A. Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary, IVP; Downers Grove, IL; 1983

Estes, Daniel J. Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms, Baker Academic; Grand Rapids, MI; 2005

Guinness, Alma E. (editor), Reader’s Digest Mysteries of the Bible: The Enduring Questions of the Scriptures, The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.; Pleasantville, NY; 1988

Kidner, Derek. A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance, IVP; Downers Grove, IL; 1976

Lohfink, Norbert. Qoheleth, Fortress Press; Minneapolis, MN; 2003

Longman III, Tremper & Enns Peter, editors. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry, Writings, IVP; Downers Grove, IL; 2008

Perry, T.A. Dialogues with Kohelet: The Book of Ecclesiastes, Translation and Commentary, The Pennsylvania State University Press; University Park, PA; 1993

Ryken,Leland. The Literature of the Bible, Zondervan Publishing House; Grand Rapids, MI, 1974

Rykon, Leland, Wilhoit, James C. and Longman III, Tremper, editors. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, IVP; Downers Grove, IL; 1998

Tamez, Elsa. When the Horizons Close: Rereading Ecclesiastes, Orbis Books; Maryknoll, NY; 2000

Quitting Facebook

I have been thinking about this for a while. A long while. And today, I decided that I would finally quit Facebook for good. I keep telling myself that I have been using Facebook for the past 9 years in order to keep in touch with people. Long-lost friends from around the country and around the world. And to some extent, I have used it for that. I have been able to keep track of weddings and babies and travels in a way that I surely wouldn't have without it. But as the years go by, in addition to weddings and babies and travels, it has become sort of an obnoxious version of email forwards that I still somehow choose to log in and view, in hopes of finding the rare actual life update. I'm drowning in quiz results, memes, political angst, and much more that I feel is too much. I feel like some of it I don't know my Facebook friends well enough to know their opinion on every. single. thing. So I am opting to take the task of keeping in touch with people the old-fashioned way. Before I delete my account, I will give out my email address, mailing address, and phone number, and hopefully some people will give me theirs in exchange.

The biggest obstacle: the thousands upon thousands of pictures to sift through. What to keep, and what to delete forever? I started this today, and let me tell you, it will take some time. Snapfish is overwhelmed, too. And I may just have to start a travel photo blog, for all the pictures that I probably don't want to print out, but don't have the heart to delete (and are pictures from 2 computers ago). Gosh it's hard being nostalgic. 

So that's that. I have started the long process of quitting Facebook. As soon as I get the pictures figured out, it should be a quicker process.

Have you ever thought about quitting Facebook? What would be the easiest part? What would be the most difficult?

Advent

Lately have been reflecting on The beginning of Genesis 15, where Abraham has already heard God's promise that from him will come a great nation, but is starting to wonder how it will all play out, since he and his wife Sarah are both getting up there in age, and they still have no children. He assumes that his servant will have to be his heir (and later in 16 on Sarah suggests that he marry her servant and the servant will bear him a son. Which he agrees to).  But The Lord has other plans, despite both Abraham and Sarah trying to take control of the situation. Now there are instances in life where you are supposed to take action (Exodus 14:15 always comes to mind: "Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!"), but this seems to be more a scenario where God gave Abraham a vision of the future, that from him would come a great nation, through a son of his own, and Abraham should have not tried to make it work in his own way. Now, I don't think we can be too hard on Abraham, because several times in these accounts he proves his trust and faith in the Lord, with his words and actions (SPOILER God gives Abe and Sarah a son, Isaac, and then tells Abraham to give him up as a sacrifice. The same son he waited 100 years for, and Abraham agrees to it, trusting that The Lord has a plan. At the last moment God provides a sacrifice in place of Isaac). Not only does Abraham prove his faith, but his actions were relatable. If you or I were placed in this situation, where God gave is a glimpse of the future, and some of the details of getting from point A to point B weren't making sense or happening for SEVERAL years, wouldn't we also try to get a jump start on getting some of those things in place?
I have a similar scenario in my own life (ok. God hasn't told me that he was going to make a great nation out of my family, so it's not that similar). A couple months ago, I had a dream that I feel was The Lord giving me a glimpse of the future, a few years down the road. I won't share the details of the dream here, because I feel for now it's between me and Steve and God. But if it really was a glimpse into the future, you will eventually find out, dear blog reader, you will eventually find out.
Anyway the events of the dream were exciting to me, and it makes complete sense that these events need to happen a little ways down the road. Some of the details of the dream simply take years to accomplish. But even I, lately, have been daydreaming of ways to speed things up and make things happen sooner. I know better than this, but I think it is part of human nature to not have patience or to want to take control of things. And yes, there are things that we do need to take action on (I mean, even while he was waiting and trusting, Abraham still needed to be sleeping with his wife). But in this particular scenario, like Abraham, the biggest thing we need to do is to wait, and trust God's timing. I guess it's sort of an Advent lesson. Actively waiting. Living well in the now, yet looking ahead with great hope for the future. I am very thankful for this glimpse down the road. I'm not sure why The Lord gave it to me other than to give us hope and guidance. And who knows, perhaps I am reading too much into a dream. I do have lots of dreams, and I don't take all of them seriously. But this one seemed crystal clear. I hope I get to share it here some day.
What do you hope for? Has The Lord ever given you a glimpse of the future? How does God speak to you? What does it look like to actively wait, yet not meddle in the Lord's timing?

The Simple Life

Friends (friend? blog reader?), I have been craving a simpler life. One with less stuff. Fewer things. Over the past 8 years, we have moved several times...from Minnesota to Pennsylvania to Lithuania, back to Pennsylvania, back to Minnesota. Some of the things that we packed several years ago are still in boxes...the same boxes. Some of the things that we unpack and then repack and then lug around are getting tiresome. Why. Why do we have and accumulate so much stuff? Some stuff we save for "just in case." Some stuff we are merely too busy to sort through and get rid of. Ugh.
Soon, we will be moving again (this time just a couple miles away), to a tiny little apartment. I am ok with living in a tiny little apartment, we have lived in far tinier (though having a toddler makes any place seem even smaller...oddly enough). And even though the task seems overwhelming (especially when I've been so busy re-watching the entire series of How I Met Your Mother), I really, really want to take this opportunity to sift through stuff. Downsize. Simplify. Do we really need so many mugs? Do we really need a closet and dresser full of clothes when we, if we are honest with ourselves, cycle through the same three outfits over and over?
When all is said and done, I'm sure we will still end up putting a lot of things in storage, for just in case, or for seasonal purposes. But my goal is to get rid of a lot of things. I don't want to be crammed into whatever living space we are in. I get anxious around the constant clutter of unused things.

In what ways do you simplify your own life?

Taking a break.

I have enjoyed trying to keep a daily blog since March. It has been challenging and good. But, it has started to feel like more of a duty than something that is enjoyable. So I am taking a break. I will likely return, but perhaps with not as much pressure on getting a daily blog post out.

Cheers!

April 20, 2014

Easter Sunday

Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10

April 19, 2014

Job 14:1-14 or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24, Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, 1 Peter 4:1-8, Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42

April 18, 2014

Good Friday 

Isaiah 52:13—53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1—19:42

April 17, 2014

Maundy Thursday 

Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35

April 16, 2014

Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70, Hebrews 12:1-3, John 13:21-32

Read today's verses and think on the events that lead up to Easter Sunday.

April 15, 2014

Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 71:1-14, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, John 12:20-36

1 Corinthians 1:21 sticks out to me. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

...and 30-31, God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

April 14, 2014

Monday of Holy Week 

Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 36:5-11,  Hebrews 9:11-15, John 12:1-11

I am pondering the last part of verse 6 in the Psalm, You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. Or as it says in the ESV, man and beast you save, O Lord.

I am trying to wrap my head around it. What do you think it implies?

Here is a devotional I wrote for today in our church's Lenten devotional.

Today in John we see Jesus and his friends and disciples at the home of Jesus’s friend Lazarus -- the same Lazarus who Jesus had just raised from the dead (possibly foreshadowing what would happen in just a few days, demonstrating the power of God over life and death). I can guess that Jesus had talked about what would happen to him, though they might not have fully understood it. How could they? So maybe this is why Mary anointed him, as a way to honor her friend before he would be killed. When Judas protests her extravagant actions, Jesus tells him that it is in preparation for his burial. He knows that he will be killed. He is speaking openly about it. His friends and disciples know first hand that he has the power to raise someone from the dead. They have the pieces of the puzzle. But even we will see at the end of the week, after Jesus was crucified, his disciples were in mourning. 

I can understand where the disciples are coming from. Even when you know something will end well (even if you don’t understand the details of it, and it seems unbelievable), watching people beat and mock and kill another person, your Jesus, is difficult. Why does it have to be so terrible? 

Because sin is terrible. Our sin is terrible. It is good to be reminded of this. If we don’t think our own sin is terrible, we soon think that we are good enough. I am a nice person (most of the time), I haven’t committed any heinous crimes, etc. James 3 says, “wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” This is terrible news. We are all sinners. All of us.

BUT! This is what makes the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus, SO GOOD. If we are just simply nice people, then the Gospel is just simply nice news. Shoulder-shrug news.

Let’s remember this week, this Good News of what Christ did on the Cross. He conquered that sin.

Hebrews 9:13-15 says, Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

Amen!

April 13, 2014

Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Matthew 21:1-11, 

Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14—27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54

There is a lot to read today, and such a contrast between the Palm Sunday verses and the Passion Sunday verses.

April 12, 2014

Psalm 31:9-16, Lamentations 3:55-66, Mark 10:32-34

If you were one of Jesus's disciples and he told you that he would be murdered, but then rise again in three days, could you wrap your head around it? Even if you had seen all the miracles, and knew that he had raised others from the dead, could you fathom it?

April 11, 2014

Psalm 31:9-16, Job 13:13-19, Philippians 1:21-30

Philippians 1:21, "For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better." How does this parallel the Job passage? 

What does it mean to live as a citizen of Heaven? How does that play out?

April 10, 2014

Psalm 31:9-16, 1 Samuel 16:11-13, Philippians 1:1-11

The Psalmist sounds like he is at his lowest of low time of life. How is his prayer encouraging? 

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands.

Perhaps this is a good prayer to remember for our low times.

Philippians 1:6
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

April 9, 2014

Psalm 143, Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41, Matthew 22:23-33

Reading through the Jeremiah passage inspires me to pray for the Church to be united in their worship of God. Not necessarily united in style of worship, but to remember that we are united in the fact that we worship and serve the same God.

The past couple days we have been reading accounts of dead people being brought back to life. Today Jesus reminds us that God is the God of the living, not the dead. What do you think he means by this?

April 8, 2014

Psalm 143, 2 Kings 4:18-37, Ephesians 2:1-10

The Psalmist says, "I am losing all hope..." What is his solution? Verse 5, "I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done." He remembers what the Lord has done in the past. 

The boy in the Kings passage was dead and brought back to life again. How is this a parallel to the Ephesians passage, where we are dead because of our sins?

Does it give you hope to know that you are a masterpiece of God?

April 7, 2014

Psalm 143, 1 Kings 17:17-24, Acts 20:7-12

Lately I've been so thirsty. I take a drink of water, and my thirst is temporarily quenched. Sooner or later (sooner), my throat is dry again, and it persists until I take another drink of water. Thirst is not something I am able to ignore. How does thinking of thirst this way help you to think about the Psalmist saying to the Lord, "I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain." How can this Psalm be a helpful prayer when facing the uncertainties of life?

The other two passages talk about the miracle of bringing someone who was dead back to life. How does this help us to think about the upcoming Easter?

Pray from Psalm 143:

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing.

Amen

April 6, 2014

Fifth Sunday in Lent 

Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45

Lately I've been thinking about the type of person I want to be, and the type of example I want to be for my little family. For Lent I gave up using my phone for social media. It has caused me to consider what I do in idle moments. Do I resort to staring at my phone every chance I get? Do I create idle moments when something else needs to be done (ie, the house is a wreck, and the dishes and laundry are piling up, and I haven't actually read a book or done something crafty in a while...better just sit here and check Twitter). Ugh. Why do I choose this? Why am I drifting through life without engaging it? Perhaps for you it is something else that distracts you from doing meaningful or necessary things (TV? Netflix? Staring at the wall?). 

I am not saying that partaking in social media is bad. In fact, we are currently in a time of transition, and feeling sort of isolated, and sometimes social media can make us feel like we are connecting in some small way. But if it is taking over our lives, something needs to change. Priorities need to be made.

I would like to work toward spending my evenings not in front of a screen (with the exception of writing this blog). Instead, I would like to finish up any unfinished housework, do something crafty (sew, knit, etc), read a book, play a game, or just have a good conversation. And I would like to model that for my kids. I don't want them to think that the time between the evening meal and bedtime is to be used for mindlessness or idleness. Obviously there will be special occasions where we will snuggle up with some hot chocolate and watch a movie, but it will be together. And I can wait until everyone is in bed to blog.

Anyway, I've been thinking about this sort of thing, and then today's verses are all about the Lord reviving dry bones, not letting sin control you, and Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. I feel like there needs to be a revival in our house, and we are on the way to it. Ok. Time to get off the computer.

April 5, 2014

Psalm 130, Ezekiel 36:8-15, Luke 24:44-53

In Luke we see that the Lord opened the people's minds so they were able to understand the Scriptures. Pray and ask the Lord to help you understand today's Scriptures.

April 4, 2014

Psalm 130, Ezekiel 33:10-16, Revelation 11:15-19

Continuing from yesterday's thoughts, what hope is there in the Ezekiel passage?

April 3, 2014

Psalm 130, Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:8—3:3, Revelation 10:1-11

My soul waits for the Lord

That's how the ESV titles this Psalm, after verse 6. In the NLT, it says I long for the Lord. In reading through today's Psalm, I can say that I can relate with this longing. In general, I can be a pretty impatient person sometimes. I get a glimpse of the future, and I have a really difficult time living in the now. Especially if the now is still Winter, or lonely, or mundane, or stressful, or, or, or. But do I long for the Lord Himself? Sometimes I think my longing for Spring, or community, or adventure, or relaxation, or, or, or, is a longing for the Lord Himself.

In today's other passages, we see a glimpse into the future. Seemingly a glimpse of doom. For me, these passages are a bit confusing. What I can take away is, a future without the Lord is a future of doom, and a future with the Lord is a future of hope.

April 2, 2014

Psalm 146, Isaiah 60:17-22, Matthew 9:27-34

What glimpses of the Kingdom of Heaven can we see in these passages?

April 1, 2014

Psalm 146, Isaiah 42:14-21, Colossians 1:9-14 

About once a year, I reread the book The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Have you read it? YOU SHOULD! Oh, it’s so good. It is the story of the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord in very dark times. It takes place in Holland in World War 2. Corrie and her sister are in their 50s, living at home with their father, and helping him run the family watch/clock shop. They are believers who take in Jewish people and hide them in their house when their lives are in danger. Eventually Corrie and her family are caught and taken to a concentration camp where terrible things happen. But, the Lord is there the whole time with them. God is SO REAL in this book. Of course He is real all the time, but whenever I finish this book I say, I want to know the God of Corrie ten Boom. The God who gets you through the terrors of war, who performs miracles, who acts and loves us and gives us hope every day. The God of Corrie ten Boom is our God. Why do we so easily forget?

One thing that Corrie and her family cherished was Scripture, and the daily reading of it. While she was in the camp, her most treasured possession was her tiny Bible that she smuggled in. Her sister, Betsie, showed enormous faith and knew that her purpose in life was to tell people about Jesus, whether at home, safe and cozy, or in a cramped, flea-filled barrack, filled with sick, hopeless prisoners. It didn’t seem to matter to her where she was, she was happy for the opportunity. She loved the Lord so much. If you want an example of what it looks like to love and serve the Lord in any circumstance, I recommend this book.

How have you seen God work in your own life? Do people look at your life and say, “I want to know their God!”

Pray through the Colossians passage:

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Amen.

March 31, 2014

Psalm 146, Isaiah 59:9-19, Acts 9:1-20

What is encouraging to you in each of these passages? Where do you see hope?

March 30, 2014

Fourth Sunday in Lent 

1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41

When it says that Samuel mourned for Saul, do you think it means that he mourned for Saul as a person, or do you think he was mourning for the loss of a king in general? Or something else? Do you think yesterday's passage about Samuel had anything to do with the elders of the Bethlehem trembling at his arrival? 

What do people look at when they assign value to others? What does the Lord look at? How do you think David felt, not even being asked the first time around, to come and stand among his brothers when Samuel came looking for a king? Before he was anointed king, David was a young shepherd. How do you think this shaped his Psalm writing?

What are some properties of light and dark in the Ephesians and John passage?

March 29, 2014

Psalm 23, 1 Samuel 15:32-34, John 1:1-9

In Psalm 23, I usually read "the Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need" and conclude, "if the Lord is your shepherd, he will provide all your needs." But now I am thinking that it is more about the Lord being our shepherd is all that we need. What do you think?

March 28, 2014

Psalm 23, 1 Samuel 15:22-31, Ephesians 5:1-9

What are rebellion and stubbornness compared to in the Samuel passage? What did that mean for Saul? What does it mean for us? Do you think that Saul was truly repentant for his sin? What makes you think that? 

What does it look like to imitate God/follow the example of Christ, according to the Ephesians passage? Are we guilty of sometimes trying to excuse the sins of sexual immorality, impurity, or greed; obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes? Or perhaps do we excuse some of them (the ones that come more naturally to us), but are more harsh on others in this list? How is a greedy person an idolator, according to this passage? Why do you suppose in this list, Paul choose greed as the example? 

What does the light from the Lord produce?

March 27, 2014

Psalm 23, 1 Samuel 15:10-21, Ephesians 4:25-32

Why did Saul insist that he had obeyed the Lord? Why hadn't he actually obeyed?

What is especially convicting to you in the Ephesians passage? 

March 26, 2014

Psalm 81, Jeremiah 2:4-13, John 7:14-31, 37-39

In the Jeremiah passage for today it says, 

They worshiped worthless idols,
only to become worthless themselves.

and then, 

Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones,
even though they are not gods at all?
Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God
for worthless idols!
The heavens are shocked at such a thing
and shrink back in horror and dismay,”
says the Lord.
“For my people have done two evil things:
They have abandoned me—
the fountain of living water.
And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns
that can hold no water at all!

An idol is anything that takes the place of God in your life. What has the potential to become an idol in your own life?

March 25, 2014

Psalm 81, Genesis 29:1-14, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4

Christ was with the Israelites when they were traveling in the wilderness. He was their rock. Can you think of a time when you were in a spiritual wilderness? Was Christ your rock? Is he now?

March 24, 2014

Psalm 81, Genesis 24:1-27, 2 John 1-13

The Lord wants his people to listen to him, to follow him and walk in his paths. He loves us and wants to protect us and satisfy us. Do we have the faith to follow the Lord?

March 23, 2014

Third Sunday in Lent 

Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42

The Israelites, who have seen the Lord do great things, and experienced his presence, still question Him saying, "Is the Lord here with us or not?"

Have you felt times where it seems like the Lord is not with you? How could looking back on times where the Lord has brought you through help you? How could looking to Scriptures and reading truths about God help you? How could prayer/crying out to the Lord help you? What else could help in times like these?

March 22, 2014

Psalm 95, Exodus 16:27-35, John 4:1-6

What can we learn about keeping the Sabbath from the Exodus passage? Can you relate to the Israelites who still went out on the morning of the Sabbath to look for food? The Sabbath is a gift from the Lord, and keeping it is one of the commandments. Do we accept this gift well? I like the idea of gathering twice as much food the day before. In my final year at seminary, I started the practice of doing no homework on the Sabbath. It made for really busy Saturdays, but it was so nice to have a day off from thinking about assignments before the week started again. We have not done anything formally in recent months for the Sabbath, though maybe it is time to start again. I have no schoolwork...but maybe I could arrange for no cooking on that day? Or no preparing (gathering) food? Definitely something to think about. What does your Sabbath look like? I do know that a common response to the question, "how was your weekend?" is "I wish I had a day to recover." What if we made it a priority to take a day and recover and prepare for the coming week! It is a gift from the Lord.

March 21, 2014

Psalm 95, Exodus 16:9-21, Ephesians 2:11-22

How does God care for his people? Have you seen in your own life times where he has given you "just enough?" How can we best care for others? 

I have had this song in my head for days. I think these lyrics could be our family's mission statement.

Will you let me be your servant

Let me be as Christ to you

Pray that I might have the grace

To let you be my servant too

We are pilgrims on the journey

We are brothers on the road

We are here to help each other

Walk the mile and bear the load

I will hold the Christ light for you

In the night time of your fear

I will hold my hand out to you

Speak the the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping

When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you

I will share your joy and sorrow

Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven

We shall find such harmony

Born to all we’ve known together

Of Christ’s love and agony

)

March 20, 2014

The first day of Spring!

Psalm 95, Exodus 16:1-8, Colossians 1:15-23

Why are people separated from God? What does God do to care for his people anyway? For the Israelite's immediate needs? For all humanity's eternal needs?

March 19, 2014

Psalm 128, Ezekiel 36:22-32, John 7:53—8:11

How does the Lord view our sin? Why does he rescue us? What did Jesus say to the woman caught in the act of adultery? What do you think happened to the other person in this situation (takes more than one person to commit adultery!)?

The part of these Scriptures that stood out to me is the repairing that God does of the human heart. Ezekiel 36:25-27, "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."

Have you experienced this? Has God taken out your stony, stubborn heart and given you a tender and responsive one?

March 18, 2014

Psalm 128, Isaiah 65:17-25, Romans 4:6-13

Even though Lent is traditionally a solemn time of reflection and preparing our minds and hearts, we look ahead with hope, knowing that Christ beat death and sin.

In the passages today, we see a glimpse of that future life, where death and sin are no longer even a thing to worry about. For those who fear the Lord, times of great joy are coming!

As you are reading these passages, what speaks to your heart? For me, it is in verse 21 of Isaiah 65, “In those days people will live in houses they build and eat the fruit of their own vineyards.” Sometimes it’s easy to picture the new heavens and new earth as kind of an ethereal time of sitting on your cloud, playing gentle harp music, and thinking rosy thoughts for all of eternity. But in this picture, people are still doing relatively everyday things, but without all the worry and strife that might accompany it now on earth.

Some commentaries speculate about when this new heavens and earth will take place in the end times. I don’t know those answers. BUT, I am sure that when this new heavens and new earth do happen, we will not worry about such things! It will seem like a trivial detail. We will be too busy having the Lord take care of our needs before we are even done talking about them. We will live without the burden of sin. The sin of others, AND our own sin. Romans 4:7-8 says there is great joy for those whose sins are put out of the Lord’s sight. Verse 13 says, “Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.”

Death and sin are things to be solemn about. But we know that Christ beat those things when he was crucified and raised from the dead. We can live with that hope now, and for the future, when we will see the Lord. How then, should we live in light of this? What Scriptures come to mind that help you think about this?

(Philippians 1:21-30, Mark 12:28-34, and James 3 are helpful to me!)

Prayer:
Your Kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.

March 17, 2014

Psalm 128, Numbers 21:4-9, Hebrews 3:1-6

How does God bless his children?

Is there a correlation between the bronze snake and Christ?