All is Vanity - Week 1

Ecclesiastes: Under the Sun or For the SON?

Connecting to one another

Describe what about your daily life is repetitive or cyclical. 

Understanding the Truth with one another

Verse by Verse ~ Topic by Topic ~ Argument by Argument

Nothing changes.  Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-7

Verses 1-2

1a. Using verse 1, list the speaker’s given title, self-proclaimed title, family roots, and culture. 

1b. From verse 2, what do we know is the Preacher’s stance about life?                                       

The phrase “vanity of vanities” means futility of futilities or emptiness of all emptinesses.

1c. What immediately strikes you, the receiver of the Preacher’s message, as unexpected (ironic) or unsettling? 

Verse 3

2a. Write the literal meaning of  “under the sun.”

2b. Then rewrite the question of verse 3 as if someone in 2022 were asking this question. 

Verse 4

3a. Write the literal meaning of “a generation goes and a generation comes.”

3b. How is the truth of humanity’s state contrasted with “the earth”?

Verse 5-7

4a. What do the sun, wind, and streams all have in common? 

4b. How can the cycles of nature (vss 5-7) be compared to the cycle of humanity (vs 4)?  Consider the point this comparison makes about our purpose in life under the sun.

Nothing is new.  Read Ecclesiastes 1:8-11

Verse 8

5. Consider these words from verses 1-7 – vanity, hastens, around...around...around..., returns, not full, again – How do these words connect to the idea of verse 8?

Verse 9-11

6. What is the Preacher’s attitude about the future “under the sun”? (verses 9-10)

7. How does this attitude connect to our purpose for working now “under the sun”? (verse 11)

Living the Truth as we are sent out 

Scripture introduces the topics of work and nature in the creation story in Genesis 1. In chapter 2 regarding nature, it states: “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created...,” emphasizing the newness of the heavens and the earth. Regarding humanity’s work it states that man was put in the garden to work it, meaning to work it to its full potential. All the language and all the details about nature and work are as superlatively positive as they are superlatively negative in Ecclesiastes 1. The difference is Death entered the world in Genesis 3 – “a generation goes, and a generation comes.” Note that “goes” (Death) is emphasized since it is stated first. 

8. Before we get to the good news, let’s live under the sun for a while. Humanity has toiled to subdue the earth in the areas of parenting, education, politics/government, media, arts, health, the environment, business, and economics. Speaking from your expertise in one of these areas, how has humanity failed to address our sin problem despite our achievements? Speak in general terms or you could be here all night .

Read Romans 8:20-25. 

a. According to this passage in what ways are we already new? 

b. In what ways are we waiting to be made new but with hope (sure confidence)? 

10. How does this perspective of living in confident “newness in Christ” change how you will approach the daily routines of your life?

Praying Through the Truth for one another

You are a new creation if you are IN Christ. Consider one area in which you serve Him (parent or other relationship, employment, ministry). 

How might Christ transform you in your inward parts so that your “toil” in this one area is done FOR Him? Share that request for transformation with your group. 

Verses that affirm your newness in Christ  for your encouragement

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8

Daily 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 Below is a concise summary of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. References are provided for further study.        

When the Holy Spirit imparts eternal life to us based on our faith in Christ, we are regenerated, “born again,” then and forever (John 1:12-13; 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). The Holy Spirit sanctifies us in Christ, and we are new creatures made alive in Him (1 Cor 1:2; 15:22; 2 Cor 5:17). We are baptized by Christ into the Holy Spirit and thereby become members of the body of Christ; He lives in us, and we live in Him (1 Cor 12:13; 1 John 4:13). We are adopted into the family of God, fellow heirs with the Son (1 Cor 12:13; Rom 8:15-23), and we are given spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:13). The Holy Spirit’s indwelling is God’s guarantee that we are eternally secure as His beloved children (2 Cor 1:22; Rom 8:38).

You can pray through any of these passages about our newness in Christ for yourself and loved ones and for our church and community. 

#2 Sometimes reading stories where the truth of our newness in Christ is fleshed out is encouraging. Read Acts chapters 8-9 this week. In Acts 2, the Church is birthed as the Holy Spirit regenerates those to new life whose faith is in Christ. You will see the results of Christ’s work in those with faith and the results of their work when it is done FOR Him. 

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