Beginning Life's Journey 

Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:1-18.

Memory Verse: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14).

INTRODUCTION: The opening of Ecclesiastes voices the empty frustrations of a pilgrim anxious to define the value and purpose of life. Isn't it interesting that mankind today is still deeply engaged in the same pursuit? How we hunger to improve our quality of life, to accomplish some meaningful thing, to make a lasting difference to future generations.
  Alas, how elusive is the meaning of life! How little we seem in comparison to the expanse of the universe--how insignificant when matched against the intricate detail of God's creation! We strive to progress only to have circumstances beyond our control knock us back again.
  The course of nature moves in constant flux and change, yet moves in unchangeable cycles beyond our ability to control. We keepers, tenders, and intelligent occupiers of God's earth would like to think that somehow we're really necessary in the whole course of things. But do we donate more than we use? Are we giving back more than we take? Will others be blessed and significantly helped because we existed?
  How hard it is to find real value and importance in life! When our place vacates, in steps another to carry on. It might remind us of a colony of ants working--ever working, never stopping, and yet never rising above what they are. Solomon perhaps sees himself as one of the wisest ants of the hill, but still he's just an ant.
  He wants more--thus his hard journey begins...

LESSON QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the hopelessness of Solomon's opening statements. Eccl. 1:1,2.

2. How does the brief span of a man's life relate to all the hard labor he does? Eccl. 1:3,4; Psalm 39:5; Isaiah 38:12; James 4:14.

3. Does man have any control or lasting effect on the timeless forces of nature? Eccl. 1:5-10; Genesis 3:17-19,23.

4. Why does the sum of knowledge and wisdom gained in a man's life not pass on to his heirs? Eccl. 1:11.

5. What does King Solomon state is his purpose for this writing? Eccl. 1:12,13.

6. What harsh feelings does Solomon have over seeing the injustice, cruelty and hopelessness of life? Eccl. 1:14,15.

7. What value did the king place upon his superior knowledge and wisdom? Eccl. 1:16,17; 1 Cor. 8:1,2.

8. How did Solomon analyze wisdom and knowledge? Eccl. 1:18; James 3:1; Romans 2:17-23.