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Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes

…. Finding Life's Meaning. Under The Sun. Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes. Lesson 1 – General Introduction. Overview Man often “searches” for life’s meaning. “The meaning of life? Sorry, you’re on the wrong mountain. I’m the guru of handy household tips.”.

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Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes

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  1. …

  2. Finding Life's Meaning Under The Sun Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes

  3. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview • Man often “searches” for life’s meaning

  4. “The meaning of life? Sorry, you’re on the wrong mountain. I’m the guru of handy household tips.”

  5. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview • Man often “searches” for life’s meaning • Asking this question is not bad…the concern is where one looks for answers • God inspired Ecclesiastes to aid the “honest seeker” in his quest

  6. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview • Some see the book in “unflattering” ways • Full of contradictions • Creates cynical, pessimistic readers • Proper view Ù a positive affirmation of what really matters “under the sun”

  7. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview • Like all the rest of Scripture, Ecclesiastes is relevant & timely…even “up-to-date” • When sin entered the world, God subjected creation to futility Rom 8:20 Gen 3:9-19 • He did this “…in hope” • This can give life a “puzzling” aspect

  8. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview • Because life “under the sun” now had to be figured out, men searched for purpose • Not everyone looks in the same place for the answers • Not everyone lives by the same rules Judg 17:6

  9. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview • The book asks the question early on 1:3 • Man tries to find the answers in pursuits that will only frustrate him 5:10-11 • These will fail because they involve things that aren’t as eternal as man is 3:11 Col 2:22a 1 Jn 2:15-17

  10. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview • Besides answering the question, the book also vindicates God’s dealings with man • Yes…life does have injustices • Yes…life is like a “puzzle” at times 1:15 • But, God is always righteous…serving Him is always best 8:12-13

  11. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Overview • After presenting all the “wrong” answers, the book concludes properly 12:13-14 • Life is best lived when man seeks to do his Creator’s will Acts 17:26-27

  12. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Authorship • Who wrote the book? Do we know? • The Bible does have anonymous books… their messages can still be learned • This book is different…we contend we must know the author to properly learn what the book is teaching

  13. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Authorship • The book chronicles the author’s experiences as he pursues life’s meaning • His identity will validate his attempts to answer the probing question re: life’s meaning

  14. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Authorship • He was “Koheleth” (“Preacher”) • “Ecclesiastes” = the Greek equivalent • His description 1:1, 12, 16 2:9a • Who else but Solomon? 1 Kings 4:29-31 1 Chron 29:25 2 Chron 1:11-12

  15. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Authorship • Despite his promising & faithful beginning, he fell…“affectionally,” not “intellectually” • He went after what he felt, not what he knew • This is how all men fall into sin • He fell from what he had been, what he had seen, and from what he had written

  16. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Authorship • Though God did not cause Solomon’s fall, He still could use it to teach others • Solomon reached a “plateau” no other man will ever reach (wisdom, wealth, etc.) • If he could not find happiness in those areas, what will be our chances?

  17. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Authorship • Though God did not cause Solomon’s fall, He still could use it to teach others • Solomon apparently writes as an older man • It is also assumed he repented • If not, he would be the first apostate God would inspire to write Scripture

  18. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Authorship • Though God did not cause Solomon’s fall, He still could use it to teach others • As such an “experienced” older man, he tells his readers to not repeat his mistakes • He tried them all…they all failed him • He points us in the only right direction

  19. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Message • Koheleth is not… • …a “stoic” Ù enjoy God’s gifts 2:24 • …an “Epicurean” Ù judgment 12:9, 14 • …a “cynic” Ù life has a purpose 8:12 • …a “pagan” Ù only 1 God 5:1-7 12:13

  20. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Message • Technically, Ecclesiastes is a “theodicy” • A justification of a righteous God and His dealings with humanity, especially in the face of inequities and unfairness • Life “under the sun” is unfair at times, but Koheleth strongly defends God

  21. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Message • Even though God’s purpose may not be visibly clear at times, He always remains gracious & good in how He deals with man • His revealed will possesses the same characteristics Deut 6:24 1 Jn 5:3

  22. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Message • Some important truths taught about… • …God (He is wise, sovereign) 3:14 7:29cp. Isa 55:8-9 1 Cor 1:18-21 2:4-5 • …death (life is short; death is certain)cp. 3:19 9:10-12 Jas 4:14 Heb 9:27

  23. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Message • Some important truths taught about… • …life (sometimes is hard, unfair)2:10, 21 cp. 2:24-26

  24. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Message • Key phrases found in the book • “Under the sun” (29 times) • The visible or created world • Living without a relationship with God • Without such wisdom & meaning, life truly is pessimistic & hopeless

  25. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Message • Key phrases found in the book • “Vanity” (37 times) • Empty or unsatisfying activities God did not design to have lasting value • To make them more important than God intended is to “grasp for the wind”

  26. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Message • Key phrases found in the book • “Vanity” (37 times) • Man will indeed be left holding an empty bag if he emphasizes temporal activities too much Mt 16:26

  27. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Outline • As with any Biblical book, one can find several different outlines • The one we will use is simple • There are some “sub sections” • But, the basic structure is a simple 3-part approach

  28. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Outline • The Prologue 1:1-11 • An introduction of “themes” Solomon will discuss throughout the book • The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 • The largest section of the book • Solomon’s “failed experiments”

  29. Lesson 1 – General Introduction Outline • The Epilogue 12:9-14 • The firm conclusion and “rational” exhortation re: life’s meaning & purpose

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