Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only €10,99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Ecclesiastes: Chasing After Meaning
    Ecclesiastes: Chasing After Meaning
    Ecclesiastes: Chasing After Meaning
    Ebook71 pages50 minutes

    Ecclesiastes: Chasing After Meaning

    By Bill Syrios and Teresa Syrios

    3/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Are you tired of pat answers to your hard questions of faith? The writer of Ecclesiastes is not afraid to confront your dilemmas. Like "Where can you find fulfillment?" And "Who is really in control of this world that seems so topsy-turvy?" Or "Is there any value in my work, my struggles, my life?"As you explore this fascinating Old Testament book in this twelve-session LifeGuide® Bible Study by Bill and Teresa Syrios, you will discover how God brings meaning to the world and how following God brings meaning to your life.For over three decades LifeGuide Bible Studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thought-provoking questions—making for a one-of-a-kind Bible study experience for individuals and groups. This series has more than 130 titles on Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies.PDF download with a single-user license; available from InterVarsity Press and other resellers.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherIVP Bible Studies
    Release dateApr 10, 2012
    ISBN9780830862399
    Ecclesiastes: Chasing After Meaning
    Author

    Bill Syrios

    Syrios operates a real estate investment company, Stewardship Projects, which is based in Eugene, Oregon. He was formerly an InterVarsity Staff member working at the University of Oregon.

    Related to Ecclesiastes

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related categories

    Reviews for Ecclesiastes

    3/5

    2 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Ecclesiastes - Bill Syrios

      Image de couverture

      ECCLESIASTES

      Chasing After Meaning

      12 STUDIES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS

      BILL SYRIOS

      AND TERESA SYRIOS

      To our sons Luke, Andrew, Phillip and Mark

      When you notice this dedication . . . likely some years from now,

      May you be reminded of your mom and dad’s love for you and that:

      In the pursuit of meaning you will find Jesus

      And in the pursuit of Jesus you will find meaning.

      It has been our greatest desire to pass on to you such a legacy.

      Contents

      GETTING THE MOST OUT OF ECCLESIASTES

      PART 1:  MAKING SENSE OUT OF LIFE

      ECCLESIASTES 1—6

      PART 2:  LIVING LIFE SENSIBLY

      ECCLESIASTES 7—12

      Leader's Notes

      Notes

      About the Authors

      More Titles from InterVarsity Press

      Getting the Most Out of Ecclesiastes

      Everything has changed. The words hung in her office like heavy drapes as I sat down for a meeting with Nancy, a very successful sales manager. And indeed, everything had. Today Nancy wanted to reflect on a most unusual topic for a business meeting: what is the meaning of life? Normally the epitome of efficiency, Nancy continued until every question got some kind of answer. I realized she was having an Ecclesiastes moment. We both were.

      The date was Friday, September 14, 2001, three days and four airplanes after everything changed. We were all asking these questions: Can anyone explain it? How could it make any real sense? Does anything make sense?

      Teresa and I were in the middle of revising this LifeGuide Bible Study, and I happened to have a copy of the original version with me. As I handed it to Nancy, I said, This guide was written about a book that takes on life’s most difficult questions. As a matter of fact the very first sentence lays out the author’s stunning conclusion, ‘Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’

      As Nancy and I continued to agonize aloud about life’s meaning, I took the opportunity to introduce her to what I’m about to introduce to you—the one book in the Bible that just does not seem to fit. What place could such a harsh assertion of meaninglessness have in a Scripture that intends to reveal the redeeming work of God in history?

      Along with the book of Job, Ecclesiastes reminds us that God is bigger, and our life in this world more unpredictable, than we might think. The book invites us to take a realistic tour of life. The sight-seeing stops will likely leave those who enjoy nice, tidy answers rather perplexed, if not downright frustrated.

      Who’s the Author?

      Our guide for this adventure is introduced by the Hebrew title: qoheleth. The title, which translated into Greek is ekklesiastes, comes from a Hebrew word for assembling. It suggests a type of office-bearer. Thus we have such translations as the Preacher (KJV, RSV, NASB), the Speaker (NEB), the Philosopher (TEV) and the one we will use in this guide, the Teacher (NIV).

      The Teacher identifies himself as son of David, king in Jerusalem (1:1). Such an identification naturally links him with the wisest of all Israel’s sages, King Solomon. Many commentators, however, believe that the Teacher was not actually Solomon but wrote in the tradition and from the perspective of Solomon.

      The depth of insight found in the book would certainly argue for an author endowed with the kind of wisdom God granted to Solomon (see 1 Kings 3:5-12). If the Teacher was not actually King Solomon, he surely qualified as a star disciple of this master sage.

      As a wise man, the Teacher represented a group whose influence and prestige

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1