This week in our Bible study, we are continuing to explore Solomon’s quest for meaning in the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon was the king of Israel and had access to whatever his heart desired. He literally wanted for nothing, taking anything that he wanted. Even still, he found himself empty, still longing to be satisfied. He had to learn what many today must learn as well: Satisfaction cannot be found in possessions, relationships, happiness, our work, or anything else besides God. Any quest for meaning and purpose apart from Christ will end up being meaningless.
What is something that you felt you “had to have,” but is now sitting in the back of your closet?
1. Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. Looking at everything Solomon acquired, how would the world have expected Solomon to feel on his search for satisfaction?
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11.
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. 2So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” 3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world. 4I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. 5I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. 7I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. 8I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire! 9So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. 10Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. 11But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
2. Describe Solomon’s attitude on his search for meaning. Is it different from what this world would have expected? Why or why not?
3. Read Matthew 16:24-26. What was Jesus' central message to His disciples in this passage of Scripture?
Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
4. How does this teaching from Jesus speak to what Solomon discovered in Ecclesiastes 2?
1. What false places have you looked to for satisfaction in the past, and what was the result?
2. Look back at the list of places Solomon searched for meaning and purpose. Which of these areas tempts you the most to look to for satisfaction and fulfillment today?
3. What is the alternative that Jesus offers to searching for satisfaction in the things of this world? What is the benefit of accepting this invitation from Jesus?
What is one investment you can make in the things that are eternal, starting this week? Maybe the investment is inviting someone to a weekend church service with you, signing up to serve at Sagebrush, or committing to regularly having conversations with your children about faith and the Bible. Whatever it looks like for you, share with your group how you will invest in eternal things rather than the things of this world. After everyone has shared, pray together, asking God to help each one of you let go of the things of this world and live for things that are eternal instead.
The enemy uses many things of this world to tempt us to turn to places for satisfaction other than Christ. He uses things like possessions, the pursuit of happiness, work, and relationships. Sometimes, however, what we need is to examine our own hearts. It may be that our own negative attitudes are leading us to turn to the things of this world for satisfaction rather than to Christ. For the next few minutes of Bible study together, we will look at three character traits from Scripture that will encourage us to find satisfaction in Christ rather than the temporary things of this earth: Pleasing God over people, praise, and contentment.
We were reminded during the weekend message that, ultimately, we have to ask ourselves who we are trying to please. If we try to please people, we will find ourselves on the same empty, meaningless quest as Solomon. After all, people cannot bring us contentment and fulfillment, even when we do our best to please them and earn their approval. If we want to find true satisfaction, we must look to God and God alone.
1. Read Galatians 1:10.
Galatians 1:10
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
2. Summarize the truth about people-pleasing that can be gleaned from this passage of Scripture.
3. How does focusing on pleasing God over people lead us to find satisfaction?
4. Do you struggle with pleasing God over people? Why or why not?
If we want to find satisfaction in Christ rather than the things of this world, all we need to do is focus on praise, worshiping God for who He is and all He has done for us. Praise causes us to refocus our priorities, focusing on God and His kingdom over anything else in this world. As we worship and praise God, we are not only reminded of God’s power and goodness to us, we also recognize that nothing on this earth is worth our attention and affection other than Him.
1. Read Psalm 100:1-5.
Psalm 100:1-5
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! 2Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. 3Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. 5For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
2. How does the Psalmist describe our relationship with God, according to this passage of Scripture, and how does this understanding lead us to worship and praise Him?
3. How does focusing on praising God impact our quest for satisfaction?
4. Name at least one reason why God is worthy of your praise today.
One certain way to stop our empty pursuit of more is to have contentment. When we stop and recognize that we have been blessed by God with enough, we will no longer feel the need to pursue more in order to be satisfied. As we find contentment in the situations we are currently in, we will find deep satisfaction in Christ.
1. Read Philippians 4:11-13
Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
2. In what situations did Paul find himself content, and why?
3. How does focusing on contentment impact our quest for satisfaction?
4. What is an area in your life where you are struggling with contentment?
Reflect:
Take a few moments to reflect on the Scripture you studied today.
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