BIBLE STUDY GUIDE for - Pacific Press · PDF fileBible Study Guide for ... or the New American...

GEORGE R. KNIGHT

BIBLE STUDY GUIDE for

2006

Bible Study Guide for Exploring Ecclesiastes • 2

Contents

Part One: Ecclesiastes

Lesson 1 Ecclesiastes: A Bird’s-Eye View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Lesson 2 Exploration of Meaninglessness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Lesson 3 More Exploration of Meaninglessness and a Strange Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Lesson 4 The Uselessness of Striving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Lesson 5 Some Advice and the Futility of Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Lesson 6 More Advice and the Uncertainties and Certainties of Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Lesson 7 Still More Advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Lesson 8 Meaning Captured at Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Part Two: Song of Solomon

Lesson 9 Song of Solomon: A Bird’s-Eye View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Lesson 10 The Dynamics of Courtship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Lesson 11 Marriage Day at Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Lesson 12 The Challenges and Joys of Marriage (Part 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Lesson 13 The Challenges and Joys of Marriage (Part 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Part One

Ecclesiastes


Lesson 1

Ecclesiastes:A Bird’s-EyeView

You are about to begin a study of one of the more challenging books of the Bible. As with otherBible books, one of the best ways to begin is to read Ecclesiastes through in one sitting from a

translation such as the Revised Standard Version, the New Revised Standard Version, the King JamesVersion, the New International Version, or the New American Standard Bible. A first reading should takeabout a half hour. Answering the questions will, of course, take some additional time, but the amount de-pends upon individual goals in the study of this provocative book of the Bible.

I. First Impressions of Ecclesiastes

A. As you complete each chapter in your initial reading, jot down in three or four sen-tences what you think the author is seeking to teach you in that chapter.

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Chapter 10:

Chapter 11:

Chapter 12:


B. � Now that you have read Ecclesiastes, write out your impressions of the book as awhole.

II. First Impressions from Exploring Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon

Read the “Introduction to the Book of Ecclesiastes.” On the basis of your reading:

A. Reflect on the characteristics of wisdom literature.

B. Discuss the literary characteristics of Ecclesiastes.

C. Provide a one or two-sentence statement on the purpose of Ecclesiastes.

D. List the six major themes of Ecclesiastes.1.2.3.4.5.6.

E. In one paragraph indicate the relevance of Ecclesiastes for our lives in the twenty-firstcentury.


Lesson 2

Exploration of MeaninglessnessEcclesiastes 1:1-2:11

Exploring Ecclesiastes . . . , Sections 1-4

A. Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 and section 11. Summarize in your own words what you think the author is trying to tell us in these verses.

2. How do these verses set the tone for the rest of the book?

3. After reading section 1, list those items that helped you to better understand Ecclesiastes 1:1-3.

B. Read Ecclesiastes 1:3-11 and section 21. What is the author trying to tell us in these verses?

2. Which of these verses is the key to understanding the others? Why did you select that one?

3. After reading section 2, discuss the implications of the Preacher’s oft repeated phrase “under thesun.”

C. Read Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 and section 31. Summarize the author’s intent in these verses.

2. How do the sentiments of these verses compare with those expressed in Proverbs?


3. According to section 3, why does Solomon’s experience make such a good backdrop forEcclesiastes?

4 . According to section 3, what are the Preacher’s conclusions regarding the value of human wisdom?

D. Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 and section 41. What is the Preacher trying to tell us in these verses?

2. Why does Solomon’s experience make such a good backdrop for these verses?

3. List the major ways that section 4 helped you understand Ecclesiastes 2:1-11.


Lesson 3

More Exploration of Meaninglessness and a Strange Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 2:12-26Exploring Ecclesiastes . . . , Sections 5-7

A. Read Ecclesiastes 2:12-17 and section 51. Rephrase in your own words what you think these verses are seeking to teach us in the overall

context of Ecclesiastes.

2. What are the implications of verse 16?

3. In what ways does section 5 help you to better understand Ecclesiastes 2:12-17?

B. Read Ecclesiastes 2:18-23 and section 61. If you had to choose the key text in this passage, which would it be? Explain why you chose

that one?

2. Why is the Preacher so concerned with the heir in this passage?

3. What insights from section 6 helped you understand Ecclesiastes 2:18-23 better?


C. Read Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 and section 71. Summarize the teaching of these verses in your own words.

2. From what you have read so far in Ecclesiastes 1 and 2, why are these verses so strange?

3. How does section 7 better help you understand the Preacher’s “alternate conclusion”?

4. In what ways does section 7 help you understand the limits of earthly enjoyment?


Lesson 4

The Uselessness of StrivingEcclesiastes 3:1-4:16

Exploring Ecclesiastes . . . , Sections 8, 9

A. Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 and section 81. How do verses 1, 9-11, 14, and 15 help us understand the 14 pairs in verses 2-8?

2. Discuss the possible implications of the teaching of verse 11 that God has placed eternity in the human heart.

3. What are the implications of verses 16-18?

4. Summarize the teaching about death in verses 18-22.

5. What did section 8 add to your understanding of Ecclesiastes 3?


B. Read Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 and section 91. Summarize the implications of verses 1-3.

2. What are the central themes that run throughout Ecclesiastes 4 that hold the various parts of the unit together?

3. What can you learn for your personal life in verses 9-12?

4. What is being described in verses 13-16? What is the meaning?

5. After reading section 9, list the ways it helped you to better understand Ecclesiastes 4.


Lesson 5

Some Advice and the Futility of LifeEcclesiastes 5:1-6:12


A. Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 and section 101. What can be learned about spirituality from Ecclesiastes 5:1-3?

2. Think of a certain type of church member and some of the things that Jesus taught in theSermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and then discuss the meaning of “the sacrifice of fools”(Eccl. 5:2).

3. What can we learn about religious practices and attitudes from Ecclesiastes 5:4-7?

4. What does section 10 tell us about the “advice sections” of Ecclesiastes?

5. In what ways did section 10 enrich your understanding of the religious implications of Ecclesiastes 5:1-7?


B. Read Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 and section 111. What are the possible implications of verse 8?

2. What can we learn from verses 10-12?

3. What is the author seeking to tell us in verses 13-17?

4. What are the implications for your personal life of Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 in the context of theentire chapter and in relation to what the Preacher has taught in his first 5 chapters?

5. After reading section 11, discuss the implications of the paradox of wealth.

6. According to section 11, what does Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 teach us about God?


C. Read Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 and section 121. What are the implications of verses 1-5?

2. Summarize what you perceive to be the lessons of verses 7-9.

3. What is the Preacher trying to tell us in verses 10-12?

4. What did a reading of section 12 add to your understanding of Ecclesiastes 6:1-12?


Lesson 6

More Advice and the Uncertainties and Certainties of Life

Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:12Exploring Ecclesiastes . . . , Sections 13-16

A. Read Ecclesiastes 7:1-22 and section 131. What are the implications of verse 2 in the general context of verses 1-7?

2. What are the implications of verse 10? How does a reading of the Bible reinforce this teaching?

3. What do you think the Preacher means in verse 16 in its immediate context and in the contextof Ecclesiastes as a whole?

4. In what specific ways did section 13 heighten your understanding of Ecclesiastes 7:1-22?

B. Read Ecclesiastes 7:23-8:9 and section 141. What happens to be the Preacher’s opinion about women in 7:23-29? About men?

What is the problem?


2. Why is the wise man’s face beaming in Ecclesiastes 8:1?

3. What are the outward lessons of Ecclesiastes 8:2-9?

4. List the lessons or limitations of human authority found in section 14.

5. What ideas about Ecclesiastes did you find insightful in your reading of section 14?

C. Read Ecclesiastes 8:10-17 and section 151. Summarize the lessons of verses 10-13.

2. Explain the meaning of verse 15 in the light of verse 14.

3. What are the implications of verses 16, 17?


4. What lessons related to justice are set forth in section 15?

D. Read Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 and section 161. What do verses 1-6 teach about death?

2. More specifically, what does verse 5 teach in its context?

3. What do verses 7-10 teach about life in the face of certain death?

4. What are the implications of verses 11 and 12?

5. In what ways does section 16 help in understanding the issues surrounding death in Ecclesiastes 9?


Lesson 7

Still More AdviceEcclesiastes 9:13-12:8


A. Read Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20 and section 171. What can we learn from Ecclesiastes 9:13-18?

2. Summarize in list form the teachings of Ecclesiastes 10:1-4.

3. Which lessons from Ecclesiastes 10:8-20 are most important for your personal life? Why?

4. After reading section 17, discuss what we can learn from the “buts” of his proverbial sections.

B. Read Ecclesiastes 11:1-8 and section 181. Summarize the teaching in each of the proverbs of verses 1-5.


2. What do you think the Preacher is trying to tell you in verse 6? How can the lesson be appliedin your daily life?

3. How is a Christian to understand verses 7 and 8?

4. According to section 18, what can we learn from the Preacher’s financial advice?

C. Read Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8 and section 191. Summarize the teachings of Ecclesiastes 11:9, 10 in your own words.

2. What is the word picture of Ecclesiastes 12:2-5 describing? Illustrate your answer by interpreting some of the details.


3. What is the function of the two “remembers” of Ecclesiastes 12:1 and 6?

4. According to section 19, how do enjoying life and the certainty of judgment fit together?


Lesson 8

Meaning Captured at LastEcclesiastes 12:9-14

Exploring Ecclesiastes . . . , Section 20

A. Read Ecclesiastes 12:9-141. What do verses 9 and 10 teach us about the author of Ecclesiastes?

2. What do they tell us about the process of inspiration?

3. Summarize the teachings of verses 11 and 12.

4. Relate the teaching of verses 13 and 14 and even 9-14 to the “under the sun” theme thatdominated so much of Ecclesiastes.

B. Read section 201. In what ways does section 20 help us understand the duties of the Preacher?

2. In what ways does section 20 help us understand the responsibilities of his students?

Part Two

Song of Solomon

Bible Study Guide for Exploring Song of Solomon • 25

Lesson 9

Song of Solomon:A Bird’s-EyeView

The Song of Solomon is a unique contribution to the Bible. It treats the topic of human sexuality—atopic central to human existence, but one not explicitly explored in the other books of the Bible.

Perhaps the best way to begin a study of Song of Solomon is to read the entire book through in one sittingfrom a good translation, such as the Revised Standard Version, the New Revised Standard Version, the KingJames Version, the New International Version, or the New American Standard Bible. A first reading willtake about one-half hour. Answering the questions will take some additional time, but the amount dependsupon a person’s goals in the study of this challenging little book.

I. First Impressions of Song of Solomon

A. As you complete each chapter in your initial reading, jot down in three or four sen-tences what you think the author is seeking to teach you in that chapter.Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

B. Now that you have read Song of Solomon, write out your impressions of the book asa whole.


II. First Impressions from Exploring Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon

Read the “Introduction to the Song of Solomon.” On the basis of your reading:

A. List some important interpretive considerations in the study of the Song.

B. Provide a one-sentence statement of the purpose of the Song.

C. Discuss the Song’s literary characteristics.

D. List the Song’s major themes.1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.E. In one paragraph indicate the relevance of the Song for our lives in the twenty-first

century.


Lesson 10

The Dynamics of CourtshipSong of Solomon 1:1-3:5

Exploring . . . Song of Solomon, Sections 1-4

A. Read Song of Solomon 1:1 and section 11. What appears to be the obvious meaning of verse 1?

2. Can you think of other possible interpretations?

3. Why is the word “song” used twice? (The idea of the holy of holies or Lord of lords mighthelp you unpack the meaning of the repetition.)

4. According to section 1, why is this song the best?

B. Read Song of Solomon 1:2-11 and section 21. Describe the general impression that a reading of verses 2-7 make on you.

2. What can be learned about the young woman from these verses?

3. What can be learned about the young man?


4. Summarize what the young man is saying in verses 8-11.

5. In what ways does section 2 help you understand the meaning of Song of Songs 1:2-11?

C. Read Song of Songs 1:12-2:7 and section 31. Discuss what is taking place in Song of Songs 1:12-2:7.

2 . Should this kind of stuff be in the Bible? What biblical evidence can you supply for your answer?

3. List information from your reading of section 3 that helped you understand this section of theSong better.

D. Read Song of Songs 2:8-3:5 and section 41. Summarize the dynamics taking place in Song 2:8-10 and 11-14.


2. Do you think Song 3:1-4 is literal or an exercise in imagination? Why?

3. In what ways does section 4 highlight the cultural basis of love talk?


Lesson 11

Marriage Day at LastSong of Solomon 3:6-5:1

Exploring . . . Song of Solomon, Sections 5, 6

A. Read Song of Solomon 3:6-4:7 and section 51. Describe in your own words what is happening in a general way in Song 3:6-11.

2. What is the function of Song 4:1-7 in the flow of the passage?

3. How much of these descriptions is literal? How much is literary fancy? Does it matter if it’s literal? Why?

4. After reading section 5, discuss how even modern marriages set the beloved on the stage ofroyalty that generally differs very much from their daily reality?


5. According to section 5, what is a wasf? How important are wasfs in the Song? In what waysare they still important today?

B. Read Song of Solomon 4:8-5:1 and section 61. In the context of both the Song and Hebrew culture, what are the implications in Song 4:12

about the bride being a “garden locked”?

2. What is the bride saying in Song 4:16?

3. What is the groom saying in Song 5:1?

4 . In what ways does the openness of the Song of Solomon relate to the teachings of Genesis 1, 2?

5. In what specific ways does section 6 help you understand Song of Solomon 4:8-5:1?


Lesson Twelve

The Challenges and Joys of Marriage (Part I)

Song of Solomon 5:2-7:5Exploring . . . Song of Solomon, Sections 7, 8

A. Read Song of Solomon 5:2-6:3 and section 71 . Should Song 5:2-7 be taken as reality or dream? What indications in the text support your answer?

2. Summarize in your own words what appears to be taking place in verses 2-7.

3. What does the wasf of Song 5:10-16 tell us about the groom?

4. What is the meaning of the bride’s response in Song 5:2,3?

5. After reading section 7, outline the six act play of poem IV.

6. After reading section 7, discuss the relevance of Song 5:2-6:3 for modern couples.


B. Read Song of Solomon 6:4-7:5 and section 81. What can we learn about the groom’s perception of his bride from Song 6:4-10?

2. What more can we learn about what is important to the groom from Song 7:1-5?

3. After reading section 8, discuss the implications of the differences in the praise poems of chapters 4 and 6.

4. In the light of section 8 discuss the role of expressing appreciation in modern marriage.


Lesson Thirteen

The Challenge and Joys of Marriage (Part II)

Song of Solomon 7:6-8:14Exploring . . . Song of Solomon, Sections 9, 10

A. Read Song of Solomon 7:6-8:4 and section 91. Describe what is happening in Song 7:6-9.

2. What do such passages tell us about God’s view of sexuality?

3. What items in section 9 helped you understand Song 7:6-8:14 better?

B. Read Song 8:5-14 and section 101. Reflect on the description of love in verses 6 and 7.

2. What are the implications of the “little sister” discussion in verses 8 and 9?


3. What is the general meaning of verses 11 and 12?

4 . The Song in verses 13 and 14 has an open ending. The lovers are obviously not together. Whatmight be the implication of the Song’s open-endedness for the lovers? For our relationships?

5. What elements in section 10 helped you to better understand the Song?

BIBLE STUDY GUIDE for - Pacific Press · PDF fileBible Study Guide for ... or the New American...

Documents

Transcript of BIBLE STUDY GUIDE for - Pacific Press · PDF fileBible Study Guide for ... or the New American...