Maadi Women's Bible Study

11. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 10)

1. Consider v. 10 and look at your own life are there places where you are working extra because you are swinging a dull axe? Busyness and overcommitment are two specific ways that we are getting hammered by the enemy in the church today. In light of verse 10 where do you need to stop and sharpen your axe? Get specific here - answering with “i need to read my Bible more” is a good thought, but let’s put some tangible steps to it. Help each other with application and change.
   
2. v. 12-14 talk about the foolishness of a man’s speech. What is the difference between wise speech and foolish speech? What about the effects of wise and foolish speech? How is the fruit of wise speech different than the fruit of foolish speech?
3. Verses 8-20 consists of proverbs about wisdom and folly. Which ones stick out to you the most and why? Do you see any themes repeated in the sayings?

10. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 9)

9. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 8 Really, Who is Wise?)

1. What does Ecclesiastes 8 teach us about the limitations of human wisdom?
2. Reflect on the paradox of the righteous receiving what the wicked deserve and vice versa. How does this challenge or reinforce your understanding of divine justice?
3.  How does Ecclesiastes 8 suggest we deal with the uncertainties and paradoxes of life?

8. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch.7 Reconcile Your End)

Individual: Read ch. 7

1. The Teacher makes some bold claims which ones do you agree with? Why? Are there some that you don’t agree with? Why?

2. v.4 suggests that there is a wisdom to be learned at a funeral that cannot be learned at a birthday party. What wisdom can you learn from a funeral?

3. What are some questions that arise in this text that you want to find some resolution to?

4. Compare Ecclesiastes 7:1 with Proverbs 22:1. What piece of wisdom is being  communicated here? How might you respond to this piece of wisdom?

5. Verse 2 of this chapter begins to drive home one of the main ideas of the book of Ecclesiastes—to live your life in light of your last days. How should having a good understanding of our mortality impact the way we live today?

6. Verses 15-18 describe a reality(Abelesque) that is often highlighted in the Scriptures (Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 37:3, 73:30, 94:3; Job 12:6, 21:13) the righteous often suffer while the wicked prosper. How does it make you feel that the Bible validates this reality?

 

7. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 5:8-6:12)

1. 5:19 says EVERYTHING is a gift from God. Where in my life and thinking does my pride sneak in focus my attention on what I have done or accomplished?

2. Ecclesiastes 6:7 states that “all the toil of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied.” Why does our physical labor allow us to feed and clothe ourselves, yet not have the ability to satisfy our souls? What is missing? How can you relate to this?
3. Ecclesiastes 6 presents a seemingly pessimistic view of life. How can you reconcile this with a hopeful perspective on life?
4. What is something that stood out to you today that you can carry into your coming week or change a practice?

6. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (5:1-7 Don't Forget to Tremble)

Consider this A.W. Tozer quote “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

1. What do you think Tozer meant? How does our genuine belief about who God is determine how we approach Him.
2. How do you approach God? Are you quick to speak, but slow to listen to what He has to say? Do you always come to Him with an agenda?

After Lesson Questions

1. Describe some situations in which you tend to be more ready to do something for God than to listen to God.

      2.  How can the advice in verses 1-3 guide us in our daily prayers and           

           conversations with God?

5. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 4)

1. Look at God’s command in Genesis 1:26-31. God’s plan for leadership fosters the betterment of society. Discuss how God sees oppression, suffering, and our role as His followers. (Ex. 22:21-27, Psalm 146:5-9, Proverbs 14:31, Isaiah 1:17)

4. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (Ch. 3)

1. Of the 14 comparisons found within verses 2-8, which one resonates with you most right now? Why does this particular pair resonate with you?
2. Is one pair more challenging to accept and deal with? Why
3. Based upon what we’ve read, heard, and studied, what strategies do you think people (including yourself) use to avoid facing the reality of death?
4. According to the Preacher, why do you think the idea of embracing and understanding our death allows us a perspective to enjoy life?
5. What is a thought from this lesson that you can carry into your week?

3. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 2)

Questions

1. In verse 11, the Preacher communicates that our lives after we pass will eventually fade from memory. How does that make you feel?
2. How does this impact the way you think about the legacy you wish to leave?
3. What is your view of pleasure and work in your life as Christian women?

2. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (Ch1)

David Augsburger says, “Emptiness is at the center of our humanness. To flee it is to miss the creative openness toward creation and Creator. To stuff it full of things is to block our ability to receive others in listening love. To anesthetize it with addictive experiences is to deaden the creative springs of the true self. Emptiness is to be embraced as a gift.”

Questions to Consider

Taken as a whole, this passage (1:1-11) paints a portrait of immense frustration. Does anything here resonate with you? Do you or have you ever felt a sense of frustration with life that is similar to what this passage describes? 

On his quest, Qoheleth tries many approaches to life. But at the end of them all, he is still left with the seemingly incurable frustration that he hasn’t found the “good life” he’s looking for. In what ways have you tried to create the “good life” for yourself? Talk about some of the things you have tried that haven’t really worked out the way you had hoped.

How can it be liberating , rather than frustrating to know that life is repetitive?

Do you find the message of this first chapter depressing or promising? Explain.