Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:4
Book Overview
LIVING OUT OF CONTROL
First Time Back: Has life thrown you any unexpected (or undeserved!) curveballs over the last month?
How are you dealing with that?
How is the Lord walking you through it?
Time, Chance & Traps: The Teacher’s first observation in this passage is that things don’t go according to plan - even when the plan or the person is the best!
How does this sit with you?
How do you square this with God who’s good, is on the throne, and working all things together for the good of those called according to his purpose?
Does The Teacher’s observation tell you more about God - or the world that God made, but fell to sin, Satan, and chaos
Jesus: Jesus certainly experienced the death of friends, encountered the sick and the suffering, and was himself the victim of traps, nets, and the cruelty of time.
How does his experience in our world help (or hinder!) your ability make sense of unfairness?
Does it make you more or less willing to draw near to the Lord when those things happen?
LIVING WITHOUT GETTING
No One Cares: Even when things do go according to plan and wisdom wins the day, it doesn’t always earn the praise or applause of the world. You can find your words forgotten, your wisdom unheeded, and even yourself under the wrath of a politician or boss or family member… all for walking in wisdom!
Have you ever knocked something out of the park, only for people to not really care? (Or maybe even worse, for them to jump on the bandwagon of something else that’s not as good!)
How’d that make you feel?
What did you want to do in that situation?
Does The Teacher’s suggestions or observations speak into any of that?
Does thanklessness steer you away from doing good for others?
Explain your answer. What can make it hard to do the right thing without recognition?
Jesus: In many ways, Jesus embodies both the poor, wise man who delivered the city that later forgot him. He also embodies the Mightiest of Kings, who rose up - but not in anger against his people, but in grace for his people.
How does remembering Jesus’ misunderstood, thankless, and often-attacked ministry make you rethink your expectations for recognition in this life?
How does hearing God’s approval of you (“Well done, good and faithful servant!”) because of Jesus make you rethink your need for recognition in this life?
How can God’s approval (with the help of the community of the church that should love his wisdom, too!) give you what you need to persevere in doing good?
How can thankless deeds actually become intentionally upward praise and outward good to reflect the grace and goodness of God?
Are there any situations or relationships that could use this shift in your perspective?