Sermon Bible Study Guides

Ecclesiastes 8:2–9:12 - May 24th, 2019

PROVIDENCE AND JOY

COMPREHENSION
What does it say?

1. Read Ecclesiastes 8:2–9:12
2. What are repeated words/phrases in the passage?
3. What does Eccl. 8:2–9 tell us about man?
4. What does Eccl. 8:10–13 tell us about the fear of God?
5. What does Eccl. 8:14–16 tell us about joy?
   1. What does it tell us about man's finiteness?
6. What does Eccl. 9:1–12 tell us about death and joy? 
7. What does the Preacher say about God?

INTERPRETATION
What does it mean?

1. What does the Preacher mean that "it will be well with those who fear God" in Eccl. 8:12?
2. Why does the Preacher repeat the phrase in Eccl. 8:15
3. Why does the Preacher continue discussing death in Eccl. 9:1–6?
4. What does the Preacher mean when he says that love, hate, and envy have already perished in Eccl. 9:5–6?

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

1. How should this passage change how you think about death?
   1. Has the book of Ecclesiastes made you think more about the end of life and the purpose of life?
2. What certainties do you rely on in your day-today life?
   1. How does your lack of control in life force you to depend on God?
3. How should our finiteness impact our aspirations and dreams?
4. What are some things you could seek to enjoy and relish today and tomorrow?
5. Remind one another of our firm foundation by singing "How Firm a Foundation"

Ecclesiastes 7:1–8:1 - May 17th, 2019

Remember death 

COMPREHENSION
What does it say?

1. Read Ecclesiastes 7:1–8:1
2. What does the Preacher say about death in vv. 1–6?
   1. How is the fool contrasted with the wise in v. 4–5?
3. What does the Preacher say about wisdom in 7:7–8:1?
4. What does the Preacher say about God?

INTERPRETATION
What does it mean?

1. Summarize the main idea in your own words.
2. Why does the Preacher say the day of death is better than the day of birth in v. 1?
   1. How does death teach us about what matters most in life?
3. Is the Preacher arguing that wisdom is useless in 7:7–8:1? Why or why not?

APPLICATION
How should it change us?

1. How should this passage change how you think about death?
   1. Why is it so difficult to embrace the fact that life has limitations?
2. Think about the day of your death and ask yourself, what kind of person should I be?
3. What impact does death have on sins of anger, impatience, greed, and nostalgia from vv. 7–25?
   1. Which of these sins do you need to ask God to help you deal with more wisely?
4. Remind one another of God's faithful providence by singing "What’er My God Ordains is Right"