ECCLESIASTES

Possible Lesson Plan:

1. Open with prayer.

2. Scripture Reference:  the book of Ecclesiastes. The younger classes have focused on Proverbs and Song of Songs; here we meet Solomon’s “other book”. “Ecclesiastes” means “the preacher”. This book delves into one of the most difficult questions of all: What is life all about anyway? It’s one of the toughest books of the Old Testament and seems very negative. Have each of the students read one (or more, if you have fewer students) of the following passages and decide whether it shows a positive, negative, or indifferent approach to life:

1:2-11              2:18-26            3:1-8                3:16-4:3           4:4-16

5:1-9                5:10-6:12         7:1-29              8:1-15              8:16-9:12

9:13-10:20       11:1-8              11:9-12:7        

Cards to be copied and handed out are on the next page. After tallying the responses and summarizing the results, what view do you feel the author has toward life? What might be some reasons for this view? Read together Ecclesiastes 12: 8-14. What do you think of the author’s final conclusion? Do you know anyone who sees life like this author? What causes a person to view life this way?

3. Discussion: Have the students consider the characters in Peanuts: bring a cartoon if you have one. How does Snoopy approach life? Charlie Brown? Lucy? Pick your favorite character; in what way are you most like that character? Share your responses. What’s the difference between an optimistic outlook and a pessimistic outlook? Which do you have most of the time?

When we adopt a cynical or pessimistic outlook, we can easily overlook God’s gifts. Make 4 columns on the board and brainstorm gifts for each column: Material (e.g., a car), Physical (e.g., good health, good looks), Emotional, Spiritual. Why do we sometimes forget about all these good things? Which of the 4 areas has been the easiest to find examples for? The hardest? Why? In what ways have you shown appreciation for these joys of life? In what ways could you?

Did you ever feel life was pointless? Did the author of Ecclesiastes?  The philosophy of life that focuses on the lack of reason behind existence is known as “existentialism”. Does life have any meaning? Will we ever know the answer to that question? What gives life meaning?

4. Close with prayer: Have the students offer a prayer of thanksgiving for ways they can see God in their lives and gifts He has given them.