Part 3 – The Good Life
Discussion Guide
King Solomon spent his life pursuing wisdom, purpose, and meaning in his life. We can “foolproof” our lives by applying the knowledge he gained (without having to live through all the messy experiments!). Let’s dive into what we can learn from Ecclesiastes.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-4 and 8-9. Who is the writer of Ecclesiastes and what do you know about him? Does that matter? How would you describe his state of mind? When do you fall into these types of attitudes and thoughts?
2. Read Ecclesiastes 2:1 and 2:24. What does “the good life” mean to you? What is the difference between going “looking for the good life” and “enjoying the life you have”? What simple points came out in the message about specific ways to find satisfaction? How does verse 24 clarify the mind shift we need to make?
3. Read Ecclesiastes 2:25. Have you ever gotten to the point where you had “enough” but like the Teacher, you did not enjoy it? What is the difference when you are living life apart from Him? Read Luke 6:20-23. From these verses, what do your circumstances have to do with your satisfaction in life? How are you abiding in Christ?
4. Read Ecclesiastes 4:4, Matthew 16:26, and Proverbs 14:30. What is one of the most destructive emotions you can harbor? What does this create in your life? If you “ruthlessly eliminate” it, what does this produce in your life? How can we find contentment when nothing goes to plan?
5. Action Step: “Once you have enough, ‘more’ quits working.” How can you enjoy life without striving? What do you need to find more: balance or contentment? Read these verses and choose one to memorize this week. Write it out. Put it on your bathroom mirror, on your dashboard, or at your desk. Read Ecclesiastes 3:12, 4:6, Philippians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Ecclesiastes 5:10, 6:8, 5:18.
The Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen. Reinhold Niebuhr
Deeper
6. Read Ephesians 5:15-17 and Ecclesiastes 2:9-11. List what is important (according to Ephesians) and what is unimportant (according to King Solomon in Ecclesiastes). Now read Ecclesiastes 3:11. Consider this question: “Will this matter in 100 years?”
7. Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. This is one of the most famous passages in Ecclesiastes. Do you think teamwork is valuable? Why is unity important to God? What can you personally do to promote unity in your family, workplace, marriage, serving team, etc.?