the book of ecclesiastes...the greek word for “assembly” is “ekklesia”, the new testament...

The Book Of

Ecclesiastes

EcclesiastesReadingSchedule

Week1–IntroductionandOverviewofEcclesiastes

Day1-TheAuthor

Day2-YourStory

Day3–AGodEncounter

Day4–Solomon’sFailures

Day5–Let’sBegin

Week2–Ecclesiastes1&2

Day1–ExaminingtheEarth {1:1-11}

Day2–TheVanityofWisdom {1:12-18}

Day3–TheVanityofPleasure {2:1-11}

Day4–ComparingWisdomandFolly{2:12-17}

Day5–TheVanityofWork {2:18-26}

Week3–Ecclesiastes3&4

Day1–ATimeforEverything {3:1-8}

Day2–HeMakesAllThingsBeautiful{3:9-15}

Day3–InjusticeandDeath {3:16-22}

Day4–AfflictionandCompetition {4:1-8}

Day5–FriendshipsandaFickleCrowd{4:9-16}

Week4–Ecclesiastes5,6,7

Day1–DreamingtotheGloryofGod {5:1-7}

Day2–EnjoyingtheSimpleThings {5:8-20}

Day3–CravingMore {6:1-12}

Day4–EndingWell {7:1-13}

Day5-ChoosingWhatisBest {7:14-29}

Week5–Ecclesiastes8,9,&10:1-10

Day1–It’sTimetoShine {8:1-9}

Day2-OurGodisGood {8:10-17}

Day3-FindingJoy {9:1-9}

Day4–TheWisestofAll {9:10-17}

Day5–AvoidFolly {10:1-9}

Week6–Ecclesiastes10:11-20,11&12

Day1-WorkingSmarterNotHarder{10:10-20}

Day2–LivingByFaith {11:1-5}

Day3–It’sGoodToBeAlive {11:6-10}

Day4–RememberGodInYourYouth {12:1-8}

Day5–FearGodandKeepHisCommandments {12:9-14}

VideoNotes1-6

Join the GMG Community:

Share your daily SOAK at 7:45am on Facebook.com/GoodMorningGirlsWLW

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©WomenLivingWellMinistries,LLC

Welcome to Good Morning Girls! We are so glad you are joining us.

od created us to walk with Him, to know Him, and to be loved by Him. He is our living well, and when we drink from the water He continually provides, His living water will change the entire course of our lives.

Jesus said: “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ~ John 4:14(esv) So let’s begin.

The method we use here at GMG is called the SOAK method.

• S – The S stands for Scripture – Read the chapter for the day. Then choose 1-2 verses and write them out word for word. (There is no right or wrong choice – just let the Holy Spirit guide you.)

• O – The O stands for Observation – Look at the verse or verses you wrote out. Write 1 or 2 observations. What stands out to you? What do you learn about the character of God from these verses? Is there a promise, command or teaching?

• A – The A stands for Application – Personalize the verses. What is God saying to you? How can you apply them to your life? Are there any changes you need to make or an action to take?

• K – The K stands for Kneeling in Prayer – Pause, kneel and pray. Confess any sin God has revealed to you today. Praise God for His word. Pray the passage over your own life or someone you love. Ask God to help you live out your applications.

SOAK God’s word into your heart and squeeze every bit of nourishment you can out of each day’s scripture reading. Soon you will find your life transformed by the renewing of your mind!

Walk with the King! Courtney, WomenLivingWell.org, GoodMorningGirls.org

G

Introduction to the Book of Ecclesiastes

{Week 1 is an excerpt from the Workbook titled: Ecclesiastes: Wisdom for Living Well by Courtney Joseph with Beverly Wise}

Day 1 – The Author

Manyofushavelivesthatarefull.Wehavefullbellies,fullclosets,fullcalendars,fulltrashcans,fullpursesandfullemailinboxes.Butattheendoftheday,weareempty.Godmadeusallwithabuiltindesiretofindthemeaningtolifeandtospendtimeonthingsthataremeaningful.

Ecclesiastes1:8says:

“Allthingsarefullofweariness;amancannotutterit;theeyeisnotsatisfiedwithseeing,northeearfilledwithhearing.”

Isn’titinterestingthatdailywecanhoponourcomputersandclickandclickandclickfromthingtothingtothingandalwaysfindsomethingintriguingtolookat.Thenwecanfliponthetelevisionanddothesame.Theeyeisneversatisfiedwithseeingnoristheearfilledwithhearing.Wecouldliterallyspendallourtimeentertainingourselves.Wearedesperatetofillourselvesup.

IlovereadingtheLittleHouseonthePrairieSeriestomychildrenatbedtime.Wearecurrentlyinbook#5.WehavespentmanyhoursreadingaboutthesweetIngallsfamily.EachnightasIread,Isenseatugatmyheart.Theirlivesweresosimpleandyettheyweresohappy.TheIngallsfamilyfoundcontentmentinthemidstofhardshipandfearfultimes.Theypossessedjoy,love,andperseveranceandeachnighttheyinspiremetorememberthatitisthesimplethingsthatcanbringusthegreatestjoysinlife.

WhileIlovealltheamazinganalogiesIcouldusefromLittleHouseonthePrairieasparallelstoourlives,Imustbehonest.Thisstudyweareabouttoembarkon,isnotsosweet.ThestraighttalkfromEcclesiasteswillrockyoutothecore.Wearegoingtoberealhere.Itiswhenwearemostopenwithourinnerstrugglesthatgenuinelifechangetakesplace.

AndsoIamveryexcitedforthis6-weekjourneywewilltaketogetherthroughthebookofEcclesiastes.

Solet’sbegin:

Theword“Ecclesiastes”intheHebrewisQoheleth(ko-hel-eth)whichmeans:

thepreacher,theteacheroranofficialspeakerwhocallstogetheranassembly.

TheGreekwordfor“assembly”is“ekklesia”,theNewTestamentwordforchurch.

ThisgivesustheEnglishtitleofthebook,Ecclesiastes!

AbouttheAuthor:

It’simportantwhenwestudyanybookoftheBible,wefirstdeterminetheauthor,thetimeinhistoryitwaswrittenandthepurpose.

ThetraditionalviewisthatKingSolomonistheauthorofEcclesiastes,althoughnotallscholarsagree.Let’sobservethedetailsthatpointtoSolomonasauthor.

ReadEcclesiastes1:1.Theauthornevercallshimselfbyname.Whatarethethreequalitiesheusedtodescribehimself?

LookatEcclesiastes1:16and2:9.Whatdotheseversestellusabouttheauthor

NowlookatEcclesiastes12:9.WhatdidthePreacherteachthepeople?

Nowlet’scomparewhatwelearnedaboveabouttheauthortowhattheBiblesaysaboutSolomoninIKings4:29-34.Howarethetwosimilar?

InEcclesiastes2:4-10theauthordescribeshisvastwealth.Describehislifebelow:

NowcomparethistothewealthofSolomoninIKings10:21-27

SolomonreignedasIsrael’skingfromapproximately970-930BC.MostlikelySolomonwroteEcclesiastesneartheendofhislifeashelookedbackandreflectedonhislife.

Iamsogratefulamanwiserandmorewealthythanallofussoughtmeaninginallthewrongplacesandwroteallofhisexperiencesinajournal,sothousandsofyearslaterwecanbesavedtheheartacheofseekingfulfillmentinallthewrongplaces.

DiscussionQuestion:

Isyourlifefull?Doyoustrugglewithfeelingtoofullyetempty?Inwhatways?

WriteaprayerofcommitmenttoGod,askingHimtohelpyoucompleteeverypageofthisstudysoyoucanbefilledupbyhislivingwordandneveremptyagain!

Thereisonlyonewhocansatisfy–theLordJesusChrist.

Jesussaidtoher,“Everyonewhodrinksofthiswaterwillbethirstyagain,butwhoeverdrinksofthewaterthatIwillgivehimwillneverbethirstyagain.ThewaterthatIwillgivehimwillbecomeinhimaspringofwaterwellinguptoeternallife.”John4:13,14

Wewillonlylivewell,whenwedrinkfromthelivingwell,thelivingwordsofGod.Let’sstrivetobewomenlivingwellaswewalkwiththeKing!

Day2

YourStory

Myhusbandgrewupinahomewherehisparentsweredivorced.Asaresult,hespenthisteenyearslivingathisgrandmother’shouse.Myhusband’sstorybeginswithhisparent’sstory.Theirstrugglesbecamehisstruggles,ashegrappledwithhislittleworldfallingapart.

Weallhaveastory.Ourstoriesalwaysstartwithourmotherandfatherandourchildhoodstrugglesandvictories.Thisiswhatshapesus.AndsotodaywewanttounderstandwhatshapedtheauthorofEcclesiastes.

Read2Samuel11:1-5;14-17.WhatdidSolomon’sparentsdowrong?

Weseeinthepassageabove,Solomon’sfatherDavidnotonlyhadanaffairandhadthehusbandmurderedbutBathshebagotpregnant.Ohfriends,thiswasnotgood.Clearly,thisdispleasedtheLord.

Whathappenedtothisbabyaccordingto2Samuel12:15-18?

NowreadaboutthebirthofSolomonin2Samuel12:24.

TheHebrewnameforSolomonisShalomwhichmeanspeace.AfterDavidrepentedofhissin,henowhadfoundpeacewithGod.

Peace.

Don’twealllongtofindpeace–peacewithGod,peacewithothersandpeacefromourinnerturmoil?AswereadSolomon’sjournalsinEcclesiasteswewillseeamaninsearchofpeaceandintheend,hefindsit.

DiscussionQuestion:

Doyouhavepeacetoday?Whyorwhynot?

Allgenerationsofpeopleacrosstimeinvestigateandexplorereallifeissuesandquestions.Questionslike:WhoamI?WhyamIhere?Whatisthemeaningandpurposeofmylife?

Whatisyourparent’sstoryandhowdoesitintertwinewithyourstory?Didtheyhavepeace?

Wearenotaloneinourstrugglestofindsatisfaction.Forcenturiesmanhasyearnedforit.

Jesussaid,“Icamethattheymayhavelifeandhaveitabundantly.”(John10:10b)

Jesusistheonlytruesourceoflife,andHegivesittotheFULL!HaveyouchosentofollowJesus?WhatisthepromiseofRomans10:13?

Onceyouaresaved,yourstorychanges!ThepeaceofGodiswithyou.Hemakesallthingsnew!ApartfromfaithintheSonofGod,JesusChrist,thereisnosatisfactioninthislife“underthesun”.

Hangintherewithmethroughthesenext6weeksaswebegintolivethesatisfied,abundant,meaningfullifethatisonlyfoundinGod.

Day3

AGodEncounter

DiscussionQuestion:

DoyourememberthedayorseasonoflifewhenyouencounteredGodforthefirsttime?Writeaboutithere.

Iwasjust5yearsoldwhenIconfessedmysinsandplacedmyfaithinJesus’sacrificeonthecrossandbelievedinhisresurrection.

Maybeyouwere6yearsoldormaybeyouwere36yearsold.Eitherway,thatwaswhenJesusbecametheLordofyourlife.

In1Kingschaptersoneandtwo,wereadthestoryofSolomonbeinganointedasKingandthefinalwordsofhisfatherDavid’sadvicetohim.DavidtoldSolomon:

“Bestrong,andshowyourselfaman,andkeepthechargeoftheLordyourGod,walkinginhiswaysandkeepinghisstatutes,hiscommandments,hisrules,andhistestimonies,asitiswrittenintheLawofMoses,thatyoumayprosperinallthatyoudoandwhereveryou

turn.”IKings2:2-3(esv)

ThenDaviddiedandhisson,Solomon,satonthethrone.

AsignificantspiritualexperienceoccurredinSolomon’slifewhenGodappearedtohiminadream.GodtoldSolomontoaskforwhateverhewanted,andGodwouldgiveittohim.

WhatdidSolomonaskforaccordingtoIKings3:5-15.

Solomonwouldhavebeeninhislateteensorearly20’swhenhebecametheKingofIsrael.HehumblyknewheneededwisdomtogovernIsraelbutifGodaskedyouthatsamequestionatthatyoungage–wouldyouhaveansweredwisdom?

Whatdoyouthinkyouwouldhaveaskedfor?

GodwaspleasedwithSolomon’srequestforwisdomandgrantedit.GodalsoaddedadditionalblessingsSolomondidnotaskforincludinggreatrichesandhonor.Accordingto2Chronicles1:12,Solomonwouldbecomethewisestandwealthiestmanwhoeverlived.Hewouldhavenoequal.

DoyoueverwishGodwouldgrantyouthissamewisdom–andmaybeaddinsomerichesandhonorasabonus?Metoo!

TurntotheNewTestamentandreadJesus’wordsinMatthew6:28-34.HereJesusmentionsSolomonandhiswealth.WhatdoesJesussay3timesweoughtnottobe?

MymotherisoneofthemostcontentpeopleIhaveevermet.Matthew6:33isherlifeverseandshehadmysistersandImemorizethisversewhenwewereveryyoung.Itistuckedinmyheartforever.

WhatdoesMatthew6:33sayweshouldseek?

Istheresomethingyouareanxiousabouttoday?

WriteaprayerhandingoveryourworriestoGod.

IamsoproudofyouforcommittingtodothisBiblestudywithus.Let’smakeitapointtostartourdaysonourkneesinprayerseekingGodfirst.KeepdiggingintoGod’swordandseekinghisrighteousnessfirst.WatchhowGodtransformsyouranxiousthoughtsintopeace.PursuepeacebypursuingHim–theKingofKings.

Day4

Solomon’sFailures

Todayisourfinaldaytopeekintothe“behindthescenes”lifeoftheauthorSolomon.TomorrowwewillbeginourstudyinEcclesiastes.

NotonlywasSolomonthesonofaKing,awiseandwealthyman,buthealsowasfamous.Let’sfaceit,SolomonhaditALL!

Solomonoversawmanybuildingprojectsduringhisreign,thegreatestofwhichwasthemagnificentFirstTempleinJerusalem,theHouseoftheLord.ThiswasGod’sdwellingplaceonearthamongHispeoplefor400years.

DuringSolomon’sreign,Israelexperiencedaperiodofpeace,prosperityandsecurity.Solomon’sfamespreadthroughouttheworld,andmanycamefromfarandwidetohearhiswisdom.(IKings4:34)

SolomonisalsoknownforbeingtheauthorofamajorportionofthewisdomliteratureintheOldTestament.SolomonwrotethebookofProverbs,theSongofSongs,Psalm72and127andofcourseEcclesiastes.

EventhoughSolomonhadallthesegreatsuccesses,heexperiencedsomefailure.

SolomondidnotobeyGod’scommandsgivenfortheking.Canyoubelieveit?AfterallGodhaddoneforhim,hesinnedintheareasofwealthandwomen.

ReadDeuteronomy17:16,17.Whatwere3ofthelawsGodhadforIsrael’sKing?

SolomonviolatedtheLord’scommandandownedvastnumbersofhorses(IKings10:25-26,28)andScripturestatesthatsilverwasascommonasstonesinJerusalemduringhisreign.(IKings10:27)

Intheareaofwomen,Solomonhadahugeproblem.HowmanywivesdidhehaveandwhathappenedasaresultaccordingtoIKings11:3?

Iknowofsomanyspiritualleaderswhobeganwell…butdidnotfinishwell.Somewherealongtheway,prideentersinandtheleaderfallstotemptation.Inthesameway,weseethatSolomon’slifeandreignbeganwell,butdidnotendwell.

IKings11:9-14astates:

“9AndtheLordwasangrywithSolomon,becausehishearthadturnedawayfromtheLord,theGodofIsrael,whohadappearedtohimtwice10andhadcommandedhimconcerningthisthing,thatheshouldnotgoafterothergods.ButhedidnotkeepwhattheLordcommanded.11ThereforetheLordsaidtoSolomon,“SincethishasbeenyourpracticeandyouhavenotkeptmycovenantandmystatutesthatIhavecommandedyou,Iwillsurelytearthekingdomfromyouandwillgiveittoyourservant.12YetforthesakeofDavidyourfatherIwillnotdoitinyourdays,butIwilltearitoutofthehandofyourson.13However,Iwillnottearawayallthekingdom,butIwillgiveonetribetoyourson,forthesakeofDavidmyservantandforthesakeofJerusalemthatIhavechosen.”14AndtheLordraisedupanadversaryagainstSolomon.”

GodhadpersonallyappearedtoSolomon,Hehadblessedhimgreatly,yetSolomonfailedtoobeyGod’scommands.Asaresult,IsraelwouldbedividedafterSolomon’sdeathbecauseofhissinagainstGod.

DiscussionQuestions:

WhatdowelearnaboutGod’scharacter,Hisheart,andHiswaysregardingHisrelationshipwithSolomon?

Howdoesthistransferinyourownlife?WhathaveyoulearnedaboutthecharacterofGod,hisheartandhiswaysregardingyourrelationshipwithHim?

ThisbringsustotheendofourbackgroundstudyoftheauthorofEcclesiastes.AttheendofSolomon’slifeheappearstobereviewingandreflectinguponhissuccessesandfailures.Duringhistimeonearth“underthesun”hesearchedforthetruemeaningoflifeandhefoundit!

Isn’titwonderfulwedon’thavetogolookinginallthewrongplaces.Solomonalreadydidthatforus!Ican’twaittogetintoEcclesiasteswithyoutomorrow!

Day5

Let’sBegin

SinceIwasaweechild,thenumberonetoolIwatchedmymomuseduringherquiettimewerehercoloredpencils!MomalwayshadherBible,Biblestudynotebookandasetofcolored pencils on our kitchen table and if you walked into her kitchen today, you’dprobablyfindthemthere!

She examines eachword andmarks keywordswith different colors or symbols. Shenumberslists.Shemarkssentenceswherethescripturecomparesandcontrastsdifferentthings.ShelooksuptheoriginaldefinitionoftheHebrewandGreekwordsandwritesitinthemargins andwhen something doesn’tmake sense, she goes to her commentaries,BibleDictionariesorother versionsof theBible to figureoutwhatGod is saying.MomworkshardatunderstandingscriptureandIprayyouwillputthatsortofeffortintothisstudy!

DoyourbesttopresentyourselftoGodasoneapproved,aworkerwhohasnoneedtobeashamed,rightlyhandlingthewordoftruth.2Timothy2:15(esv)

Throughoutthisstudywearegoingtodosomecoloring. Ifyouwanttodothis inyourBible,youmay.

We will be using the English Standard Version (ESV) since it is a close word for wordtranslationoftheoriginalscriptures.Thiscoloringisoptional.YoucandoitinyourBible,purchaseaspecialBiblejustforcolorcodingorprintoutthebookofEcclesiastesfromtheinternet. Dowhateverworksbest foryou. Thepointofcolorcoding is tohelpusslowdownandsoakinGod’sWord,aswereaditcarefully.

GMGB IBLE COLORING CHART

COLORS KEYWORDS

PURPLE God,Jesus,HolySpirit,Saviour,Messiah

PINK womenoftheBible,family,marriage,parenting,friendship,relationships

RED love,kindness,mercy,compassion,peace,grace

GREEN faith,obedience,growth,fruit,salvation,fellowship,repentance

YELLOW worship,prayer,praise,doctrine,angels,miracles,powerofGod,blessings

BLUE wisdom,teaching,instruction,commands

ORANGE prophecy,history,times,places,kings,genealogies,people,numbers,covenants,vows,visions,oaths,future

BROWN/GRAY Satan,sin,death,hell,evil,idols,falseteachers,hypocrisy,temptation

OpenyourBible(ortothebackofthisbook)toEcclesiastes1verse1.Markitorange.

Aswesawondayone,theauthor introduceshimselfasthePreacher,sonofDavidandKingofJerusalem.

Nowreadverse2,andmarkitblue.

In the original language of Hebrew, theword “hebel”, is used for vanity,whichmeansemptiness.

In scripturewhenwe see that Jesus is the Lord of Lords or the King of Kings it showssuperiorityorthegreatnessofJesus.Inthiscase–repeatingtheterm“vanityofvanities”showsthatlifeisextremelyvain.Itcanfeelextremelyemptyandfutile.

NowreadEcclesiastes1:3andmarkitblueaswell.

Themost importantphrase inunderstanding the textofEcclesiastes is the term“underthe sun”, which is used 29 times. This reveals the perspective of the author, as hejournals his search for meaning in wealth and wisdom and projects and women andanything…butGod.

Whenwe search “under the sun” formeaning – allwe find is an empty treadmillwithnothingthatsatisfies.Why?BecausewemustlookABOVEthesunforouranswers.

But isn’t that howwe live sometimes?Wemove from thing to thing, searching for thenextrainbow,thenexthigh,thenextvacation,thenextgirlsnightout,thenextshoppingtrip, the next steak dinner, or the next spa day. We chase after thewind rather thanchasing our Savior. Nothing “under the sun” can satisfy our souls like knowing andwalkingwiththeKing.

Weknowthisinourheadsbutdowelivelikewebelievethis?

We live inaculture thatdoesn’tbelievepeopleneedGodexcept for ina timeofcrisis.Eventhen, it’satimetoblameGodorbeangrywithHimratherthanhumbleourselvesbefore him. But this sort of living only leads to further confusion, depression anddisillusionmentinthislife“underthesun.”

Let’slookahead.

Iamthetypeofpersonwhoneverpeeksaheadtoseehowastorywill finish. I liketoenjoy the unfolding journeywithout any spoilers. But todaywe are going tomake anexception.

OpentoEcclesiastes12:13&14,tothefinalwordsofSolomon.

What2thingsdoesSolomonconcludeinverse13?

Wewilllookdeeperintothispassagelater,butfornow–youknowwhereweareheaded.While our journey through Ecclesiastes will cause us to wrestle with the reality of life“underthesun”,wearenotleftwithouthope.Ecclesiastes12:13opensthedoortojoyandpeaceandhopelikenoneother.

Let’snotwait6weekstofindGod–let’sstartwithGod!

“Jesussaid,‘Iamtheway,andthetruth,andthelife.NoonecomestotheFatherexceptthroughme’.John14:6(esv)

ThetruthofJesus’sdeathonthecrosshasmadeawayforustoliveanabundantlifefreeofemptiness!Hegivesusforgivenessofoursins,apersonalrelationshipwithhim,andahopeofeternallifeinheaven.

DiscussionQuestion:

ReadJohn3:16.Whatdoesthispassagemeantoyou?

Aswestrivetobewomenlivingwell,mayweneverforgetthatJesusisourlivingwell.Heisourlivingwater.Wemustgotohimdailytoberefreshed.

Let’scloseourweekinprayer.

DearHeavenlyFather,

Youaresogood.Thankyouforthesacrificeofyoursonandtheforgivenessofoursins.Forgiveusforputtingourhopeandtrustinthewrongthings.Helpusnottochaseafteremptyand futile thingsandopenour eyes andhearts to understand yourword clearly.Changeusandmakeusmorelikeyou.Maywefindjoyandpeaceinyourpresenceandalifefullofmeaningforyourglory.

InthestrongnameofJesuswepray,Amen.

Week 2

ECCLESIASTES 1:1-11

S – The S stands for Scripture

O – The O stands for Observation

A – The A stands for Application

K – The K stands for Kneeling in Prayer

ECCLESIASTES 1:12-18





ECCLESIASTES 2:1-11





Week 3

ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8





ECCLESIASTES 3:9-15





ECCLESIASTES 4:1-8





ECCLESIASTES 4:9-16





Week4

ECCLESIASTES 5:1-7





ECCLESIASTES 5:8-20





ECCLESIASTES 6:1-12





ECCLESIASTES 7:1-13





Week 5

ECCLESIASTES 8:1-9





ECCLESIASTES 9:1-9





ECCLESIASTES 10:1-9





Week 6






ECCLESIASTES 11:1-5





ECCLESIASTES 12:1-8






VIDEO 2 - NOTES


VIDEO 3 - NOTES


VIDEO 4 - NOTES


VIDEO 5 - NOTES


VIDEO 6 - NOTES

the book of ecclesiastes...the greek word for “assembly” is “ekklesia”, the new testament...

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