Wrestling with the Meaning of Life

January 3

Think About It …

• What sort of mindless activities do you enjoy? Why?

• Today we look at how Solomon struggled with much of his life seeming mindless.– Then we see how he changed his mind

Listen for descriptions of things that cycle repetitively.

Eccles. 1:1-7 (NIV) The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: [2] "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." [3] What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? [4] Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.

Listen for descriptions of things that cycle repetitively.

[5] The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. [6] The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. [7] All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.

Is Life Meaningless?

• What do you know about Solomon that you could compare him to Warren Buffer or Bill Gates?

• What sweeping statements did Solomon make about life?

• Note the use of the phrase “under the sun” an earthly life lived apart from God– helps us understand Solomon’s perspective here

Is Life Meaningless?

• What question did Solomon ask? How would you state his question in your own words?

• Why do you think Solomon was so dissatisfied with life?

• What four ways did Solomon illustrate the futility of life in verses 4 – 7?

• What things in our lives today cause us to have feelings of futility?

Is Life Meaningless?

• What are some ways people deal with feelings of futility?

• Think of some joyous people you know. What makes them that way in the midst of this seeming world of futility?

Is Life Wearing You Down?

• What are some synonyms for the word “wearisome” ?

• Listen for how Solomon describes life as having these qualities.

Listen for how Solomon describes life as wearisome.

Eccles. 1:8 – 11 (NIV) All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. [9] What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. [10] Is there anything of which one can say,

Listen for how Solomon describes life as wearisome.

"Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. [11] There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.

Is Life Wearing You Down?

• According to Solomon, why is life so wearisome?

• Where is this seen in our culture?• How is there nothing new, according to these

verses?

Is Life Wearing You Down?

• According to the passage, who will be forgotten?

• Solomon’s words reflect a negative perspective on life. How can a positive perspective make the difference between joy and despair?

Negative Perspective Despair

Positive Perspective Joy

Listen for a change of attitude.

Eccles. 12:13-14 (NIV) Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. [14] For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

What Is the Answer?

• With what mood would you say Solomon concluded this book?

• What did Solomon conclude is a person’s whole duty?

• What does it mean to “fear God”?• How can you have a close relationship with

God and fear Him at the same time?

What Is the Answer?

• Why did Solomon tell his reader to fear God and keep His commandments?

• Accountability to God is a daunting motivator. If we have feelings as expressed by Solomon in the first passage, what changes do we need to make?

Application

• This week mediate on the following quote:

Our wrestling match with the meaning of life ends when we immerse ourselves in the meaningful pursuit of experiencing God in Christ and helping others do the same.

Application

• Pray for friends or family members you know who feel they are living futile, empty lives– Ask God to guide them to (or back to) Himself– Ask God how He might use you in this process

Application

• Refocus your life on fearing God and keeping His commands– Look for ways each day to observe God’s working– Praise Him for who He is– Thank Him for what He is doing

Wrestling with the Meaning of Life

January 3