Week 3: Work - Ecclesiastes

Lifeway Bible Studies

Finding Meaning in a World of Passing Pursuits

The book of Ecclesiastes offers a biblical perspective on everything “under the sun.” This Bible study explores the wisdom of living in light of the reality “above the sun.” A joyful life begins by stopping the manic pursuit of pleasure and fulfillment in earthly things. Happiness and pleasure are gifts from God when enjoyed as He intends.

By fearing God and keeping His commands—through the grace of Jesus—we can find contentment through the proper perspective of God, life, pleasure, and mortality. (8 sessions)

Session topics:

1. Vanity Under the Sun
2. Wisdom
3. Work
4. Wealth, Fame, and Power
5. Justice
6. Number Your Days
7. Enjoy the Life God Has Given You
8. Fear God and Keep His Commands

To Get The Workbook, Videos, Reading Guide, And More, Click HERE

Ecclesiastes is a challenging book, one that doesn’t even seem to fit in the Bible at first glance. In past reading of Ecclesiastes, you might have found yourself asking the question—what is this even doing in here? Ecclesiastes is wisdom literature like Proverbs and Job, but it seems to have a very different message than those books. Many of us read the book and can't quite figure out what the message is! We often treat it as one of those portions of Scripture reserved for checking boxes on a Bible reading plan, but not really for understanding.

Over the next eight sessions we're going to examine the broad themes of Ecclesiastes.

Regardless of what day of the week your group meets, each week of content begins with the group session. Each group session uses the following format to facilitate simple yet meaningful interaction among group members, with God’s Word, and with the teaching from author Barnabas Piper.

BARNABAS PIPER is an assistant pastor at Immanuel Church in Nashville and is the author or coauthor of several books and small group studies, including The Pastor’s Kid, Help My Unbelief, and Hoping for Happiness. Prior to being

called into ministry Barnabas worked in Christian publishing for almost 15 years. He co-hosts The Happy Rant podcast, writes regularly for He Reads Truth, and has contributed to numerous other websites and publications. Piper speaks regularly at churches, camps, and conferences around the country. He lives in the Nashville area with his wife and two daughters.

A NOTE ABOUT DOING THIS STUDY AS AN INDIVIDUAL. You may choose to do this study as an individual as opposed to participating in the group. If so, treat the group session and the associated teaching video as the first day of study for the week then proceed with the personal study portion.