These are the questions that will be discussed in our weekly GROUPS. Anyone can reflect on these questions for their own personal study, and GROUP MEMBERS are encouraged to consider these prior to attending GROUP.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS WILL BE UPDATED ON SUNDAY MORNINGS for that week.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11th
ECCLESIASTES 1:12-18, 2:1-11
OCTOBER 11 – GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (1).pdf
STUDY CONTEXT
Over the past two weeks, we’ve been laying the foundation for Ecclesiastes by looking at two KEY WORDS: HEVEL & YITRON. Hevel describes the frustrating, fleeting, smoke‑like nature of life under the sun — real, but impossible to hold. Yitron means “lasting gain,” the permanent profit we hope our lives will produce. Solomon has already shown us that NOTHING under the sun can give us yitron, because everything under the sun is hevel.
Solomon now turns to test the two biggest places people look for meaning: wisdom (1:12–18) and pleasure/success (2:1–11).
GET TALKING (ICEBREAKER) - options:
- What is one material thing that brings you joy right now?
- If you could have unlimited access to one ‘under the sun’ thing — comedy, food, travel, music, money, or comfort — which one would you pick and why?
- MAIN SCRIPTURES: READ ECCLESIASTES 1:12-18, 2:1-11
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- From Ecclesiastes 1:12–18... What stood out to you about Solomon’s search for meaning through wisdom? What emotions or thoughts or frustrations surfaced as you heard his conclusion?
- Solomon says that “with much wisdom comes much sorrow. "Why do you think wisdom increases sorrow instead of reducing it? How have you seen this play out in your own life or in the world around you?
- Read Ecclesiastes 2:1–11. Which of Solomon’s “under the sun” pursuits felt most relatable to you — laughter, alcohol, comfort, possessions, entertainment, sex, achievement, or affirmation? Why that one? And why do you think REPEATING Solomon’s experiment (chasing everything you desire) is ultimately a bad idea?
- Solomon says all these pursuits were “meaningless — like chasing the wind.” Why do you think these things feel so promising at first but end up so empty?
- How does Jesus offer what Solomon could never find under the sun? What does it mean that meaning is found “in the Son,” not “under the sun”?
PRAYER & REFLECTION