The Pursuit of Pleasure - Week 2
Ecclesiastes: Formula for an abundant life
Choose one person in the group that you will pray for when group closes tonight. Listen to what they share today so you know how to pray for them.
Connecting to one another
Consider a moment (not a day or week or season, just a moment) in your life when you felt THIS is the point to life. What was it that made that moment so fulfilling? Write down those ideas.
Understanding the Truth with one another
Verse by Verse ~ Topic by Topic ~ Argument by Argument
Read Ecclesiastes 1:12- 2:1-11
1:12-18
In verse 13, the Preacher introduces his “Great Experiment.” Let’s break down its parts.
1a. What is the King’s hypothesis about God’s purpose for His children?
1b. What is the King’s plan for conducting his experiment? Note the repetition of the word “wisdom” in these verses.
1c. Last week we realized it was ironic that a wealthy King could conclude that life is futile. However, according to these verses, why is King Solomon the perfect test subject for this experiment? Consider both his assets and his limitations.
2:1-11
Part of testing an hypothesis is to repeat the experiment with minor variations. Is life meaningless? In these verses, Solomon tests his hypothesis that it is with this variation: the pursuit of self-indulgence.
2. Make a list of each type of pleasure the King indulged as part of his experiment.
v2 ___________________________________ v3 ___________________________________
v4 ___________________________________ vs5-6 ___________________________________
vs7-8 money and possessions v8 ___________________________________
v8 ___________________________________ v9 ___________________________________
v11 __________________________________
3. God gave us each of these as gifts. None is evil in and of itself. Choose one and share how you enjoy this gift as God intended it to be enjoyed. Take a few notes about how you enjoy it.
4. From the King’s list, discuss how much time and effort would his “toils” have taken. How did he involve others in his experiment?
5. Choose one from this list again and this time share how you abused (or are abusing) this gift in self-indulgence. Include the time your “toils” have taken and who else you involved in your experiment.
6. Last week we discussed how once Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, death entered the world. Review 1:18. How does increasing in wisdom increase your sorrow?
7. Review your answer to 1a. We are going to try to see how it connects to sorrow. Why might God give us the unhappy business of expending our lives on trying to right what is crooked (1:15) under the sun?
Living the Truth as we are sent out
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
The “great cloud of witnesses” the author of Hebrew references includes believers who “did not receive what was promised” (Heb 11:39) because they lived before the promised Messiah came, before the cross. These knew good and evil and trusted God to right the crooked in them and the world. Their reward was God commends them for their faith in Hebrews 11.
8a. Review our opening question under “Connecting to one another.” When you consider the gifts for pleasure God has given you and what you’ve discussed with your group (review your notes) what would you say is the “formula” for the abundant life?
8b. How did Christ model that for us? What was His reward?
9. Read the verses below and underline what will keep you from pleasure that is like vapor and root you in pleasure that is eternal.
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17
10. Plan a day of rest you will enjoy this weekend. How will you spend your time so that it “looks like” what you just underlined? Take five minutes and share your ideas with your group.
Praying Through the Truth for one another
Each person will pray for his or her chosen person. Leaders, close with a blessing for the group.
Daily Personal Worship
At Grace we trust Christ to transform us as we abide in Him daily.
If you are not already engaged in a Bible reading plan, then below are two options for engaging in God’s Word this week –
#1 Read through Hebrews 11. Choose one or more of the people listed and read about their story in the Old Testament. Each of these people evolved. Trace how God allowed them to try to make the crooked straight and how this “unhappy business” softened their heart for God.
#2 Memorize any of the Scripture included in this week’s lesson. Plan for when you will need to remember that Scripture to help you choose the abundant life. (Consider what time of day or what day of the week you are tempted to self-indulge in futile pleasures.)
You can pray through these passages for yourself and loved ones and for our church and community.
God’s joy and strength to you!
kpaulson@gracelaredo.org