Maadi Women's Bible Study

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?

 

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?

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?

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)

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?

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?

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.

Welcome back to a new series studying in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Here are a few discussion questions to consider as we begin.

Ecclesiastes asks several very direct and probing questions about the meaning of life. How much thought have you given to questions like: “What is the purpose of life?” and “Why have faith in God when so much in life seems empty and futile?” What conclusions have you come to?

Apart from the personal benefit that might come from gaining a deeper understanding of God and the world in which we live, how might grappling with this issue help us engage with others?

Prayerfully ask God to bring someone into your life over the next few months so that you can share this biblical philosophy of life and satisfaction.

Psalm 13 to yourself and answer these questions then share as a group.

1. When in your life have you felt forgotten by God or others? How do you identify with David?
2. Can you think of a time you have cried out “Why” to God? Do you think you would really want him to answer? Why or why not?

3. Protest—lay out your complaints and your griefs before God. Don’t hold back.

   Petition God for what you want. Be bold!              

   Praise God for listening, for caring, and for considering your prayer.         

   1. Share a pivotal time of God’s hesed in your past? How has or does this experience  encourage you in your future?
   2. Share a point of real gratitude from this past week.
   3. Can you think of a time that unanswered prayer was a blessing?
   4. Pray for one another

1. Did you practice reciting a liturgical prayer (The Lord’s Prayer or another one) this week? Any observations or thoughts? Do you think there is a value in continuing?

2. Are there particular strongholds in your thinking that need to be addressed?

3. As you consider your prayer life do you view it more as personal self improvement or engaging in a battle?

4. What actions might you need to take in order to be more attentive to the command to pray “in the Spirit”?