Hope in the ‘mist’ of life – The book of Ecclesiastes
Readings: I encourage you all to read the whole book at home before meeting but read Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 to begin your gathering.
- Spend a few minutes checking on each other and open in prayer.
- Why have I called this study (and the service) hope in the ‘mist’ of life?
- I have likened Ecclesiastes 3 to the Big Ben of life. What do you think I mean by that and what is its relevance both for our understanding of the book and of our lives?
- Look at the following verses and work out the kinds of things the ‘teacher’ tried in life in order to establish meaning. 1:12, 18; 2:1-11. Is modern life any different?
- Time is not the only issue in this book, so is death. Look at 12:1-8 as a metaphor for old age and see if you can identify what the images might mean.
- This book has a cynical, sad feel to it. What place does such a book play in our understanding of the bible.
- I mentioned that this book tells us to enjoy the day that God gives us and remember that He will bring all things into judgement. In the light of the New Testament how do we apply these two insights to our lives and what is our understanding of how the ‘mist’ of Ecclesiastes will one day be resolved.
- Pray for each other.
Hugh Begbie