Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Book Overview

Have “too many words” ever gotten you in trouble before? Have you ever dug yourself into a deeper ditch, felt compelled to make things up on the fly, or made promises in the moment that came back to bite you in the end?
- Did you learn anything from those experiences?
Read all of 5:1-7. Much of it is about the role our words play in our relationship with God. This passage talks about being quick to speak, quick to use lots of words, quick to make promises, even quick to say things you later say you “didn’t mean.”
- Do you feel called out by any of these misuses of words in particular? Why? What do you think The Teacher would have you do instead?
- Why does The Teacher lump all of these together? Is there a common thread among them?
- Twice he draws a direct connection between dreams and many words. What do you think he means by this? Why are many words connected with a fool’s voice and futility?
  - Read Matthew 12:33-37. Does Jesus shine any light on the heart behind The Teacher’s words here?
Read Hebrews 4:12-16. What’s one way (among many!) that God uses his words?
- How does the Word Made Flesh (Jesus!) free us to approach the Lord boldly, ask him to expose our hearts fully, and receive mercy, grace, and help freely?