Ecclesiastes 1 - 12 Questions and Answers

Q. Who Wrote Ecclesiastes?	A. Ecclesiastes 1:1 = King David's son, known here as "The Teacher." [Solomon.]
Q. What did this Teacher, Solomon, learn about a life that just existed, a nature that just existed, and a history that repeated itself again and again?	A. Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 = Life cycles endlessly and whole civilizations are forgotten, so what's the point?
Q. When Solomon asked God for wisdom, did God just "POOF!" him up with wisdom?	A. Ecclesiastes 1:13 = Yes and no. Solomon devoted his whole life to exploring and understanding the world -- via wisdom that God bestowed upon him.
Q. What did Solomon conclude was the state of mankind's existence?	A. Ecclesiastes 1:13 = God made man's existence a tragic one.
Q. Meaning...?	A. Ecclesiastes 1:13 = One cannot be satisfied -- ever! Injustice happens; there is a puzzle piece missing from the state of existence.
Q. What is the problem with wisdom?	A. Ecclesiastes 1:17 = The more you learn, the greater the sorrow. Note: Conclusions drawn are those resulting from the gathering of earthly data. Existence without the knowledge of God is very tragic! There simply must be a reason to live that is bigger than we are, and bigger than our human wisdom.
Q. Solomon had all the money he wanted and surrounded himself with things that made him laugh. What did he conclude?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:1 = It was meaningless.
Q. Why?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:2 = "It is silly to be laughing all the time, I said. What good does it do to seek only pleasure?"
Q. Did Solomon try substance abuse?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:3 = Yes. Solomon cheered himself with wine.
Q. Why does that fail?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:3 = While seeking wisdom, Solomon clutched at foolishness. Note: Wisdom is found in God's Word only. Cheerfulness is God-given. Don't trust substances to give you some lame substitute for God's best!
Q. Why did Solomon try wine?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:3 = Solomon wanted to experience what most of the people found happiness in, which was wine. Note: Sometimes people have asked me to partake in their brand of "wine fun." I did, and concluded it was empty and fake. But once I did this with them, they stopped asking me to join them! And I learned, firsthand, that they were very unhappy. Now I can sympathize!
Q. What else did Solomon pursue that seemed meaningless?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:4 = Building huge homes for himself, planting beautiful vineyards, making gardens and parks, and filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. Note: Building beautiful things was meaningless to Solomon!
Q. What else did Solomon's wisdom include?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:7 = Solomon had lots of help to accomplish his goals, had livestock, money, and tribute from many provinces. He surrounded himself with beautiful singers of songs and concubines; everything a man could think to desire. He became the greatest of Jerusalem kings.
Q. Did Solomon stay focused on finding meaning in it all?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:9 = Yes.
Q. How did Solomon feel about hard work?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:10 = Solomon found great pleasure in hard work.
Q. And when he was through with a project?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:11 = The thing he made wasn't really worthwhile after all.
Q. Do you need to be a rocket scientist to understand right and wrong?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:12-13 = No. Anyone can see the clear difference, like night from day.
Q. And if a fool cannot see?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:14-16 = The fool is blind. Yet the wise and the foolish share in death and are both forgotten.
Q. If you live for the day, spend all your time in these kinds of pursuits, what will result?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:17 = You'll hate life! You'll conclude that your work is irrational and meaningless and you'll feel like you have been trying to catch the wind.
Q. And the biggest tragedy?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 = You'll leave the fruits of all your hard labor to others. They may even wreck what you have labored over!
Q. Is hard work supposed to lead to satisfaction in life?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:20 = No!
Q. Why doesn't it?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:21 = No matter how proudly you worked, other people will end up with it upon your retirement. It is unfair! What they do with it brings pain and grief.
Q. So what does bring satisfaction?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:24 = Enjoying food and drink and work and realizing that God has provided it. Being thankful.
Q. So the knowledge of God's intervention in man's life gives satisfaction?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 = Yes! Knowing that all we have is from the hand of God, that this great and powerful God bestows on us joy and happy-making duties, skills, treasures, all bring satisfaction to a man.
Q. To all?	A. Ecclesiastes 2:26 = To all who please God, He reveals this truth. To those who are evil, wealth is still bestowed, but it is taken away from that one.
Q. What else did Solomon learn?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:1 = 1) We live in a timeframe that concludes eventually. No guarantees when checkout time is or what the details of events of all eras will be. 2) Farming is on the seasonal clock; you have to follow it. 3) There is a time to kill. 4) A time to heal [Sometimes God doesn't heal]. 5) A time to tear down and rebuild is inevitable. 6) We will laugh sometimes and cry too. 7) A time to dance and grieve. 8) A time to scatter stones and gather them too. 9) A time to embrace and to turn away 10) A time to search for and to lose. 11) A time to keep and to throw away 12) A time to tear and to mend 13) A time to be quiet and to speak up 14) A time to love and to hate 15) A time for war and for peace.
Q. That's life all right! What about it?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:9 = We need to have proper perspective. Pull away and up, up, up, from your limited view into God's eye view. What is there to observe from God's standpoint? 1) God has given various kinds of work for people to do 2) Everything is beautiful, made by God, for its own time (lay off the younger generation!) 3) Each person has eternity planted in his own heart (which makes him long for more of the foreverworld) 4) We don't see everything God is up to in humanity; past, present and future. The whole scope is hidden from us!
Q. So what should we do in conclusion?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 = Be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. Eat and drink the fruits of one's labors, knowing these are gifts from God!
Q. What else did Solomon learn?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:14 = Whatever God does is final. We can't improve on God; grasping this truth is knowing the fear of God.
Q. So we cycle generations that basically repeat?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:15 = Yes!
Q. Why?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:15 = "God calls each event back in its turn." Each even has a time to repeat itself.
Q. What injustices exist with every generation?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:16 = Evil in the courtroom.
Q. And God will one day bring justice?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:16 = Yes.
Q. What other injustices exist with every generation?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:18 = People are allowed to continue in their sinful ways -- which is a test from God.
Q. Why?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:18 = To learn their lessons. Will there be repentance or toleration?
Q. What lessons await those who sin?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:18 = That they are no better than animals, dying like animals and having no real advantage on the earth.
Q. What else did Solomon learn?	A. Ecclesiastes 3:21 = 1) We don't know eternity until we are dead and can add no knowledge of it to our stores of wisdom on earth. 2) We are here to work and be happy in it. 3) There is no reincarnation of life on earth, no future to look forward to on earth after death.
Q. What other injustice does Solomon point out?	A. Ecclesiastes 4:1 = Oppressors are powerful while their victims are powerless. Victims seem better off dead; so much sadness -- aren't they better off never having been born? There is so much evil in the world they would be spared of knowing firsthand, if they were dead!
Q. What motivates most people to success?	A. Ecclesiastes 4:4 = Envy of their neighbors.
Q. Do poor people sometimes refuse to work? Why?	A. Ecclesiastes 4:5-6 = They feel it is better to be lazy and barely surviving than to work hard, especially when in the long run, everything is so futile. Note: Praying with folks at the food pantry gives them focus on reasons to keep moving forward. They do forget, between jobs, that there is purpose, when they suddenly realize that even this food comes from God as a gift to them.
Q. What dilemma does a lonely man with no family face?	A. Ecclesiastes 4:8 = He works just for the sake of piling up treasure. He gives up fun completely, and in favor of work. He knows it is futile.
Q. What is good about having friends?	A. Ecclesiastes 4:9 = 1) Two people accomplish more than twice as much together 2) If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. People who don't have friends are in real trouble when they fall. Note: It is important to create a cushion of friends, a support system, in your life. I know that I can always use more friends! God is always there, but we need the human element too.
Q. What else is good about having friends?	A. Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 = Bodily warmth in cold weather Safety in the streets.
Q. What is inevitable about wise and foolish people both?	A. Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 = Both pass away and whether their successors are wise or foolish is a turkey shoot (i.e., a mystery).
Q. How should one treat the house of God?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:1 = Ears open, mouths shut; focusing on God.
Q. I love God and want to do great things for Him. Is it okay to express this desire?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:2 = Sure! Just don't make rash promises to God about it. [Let God work His will aout in you.] God doesn't expect us to do so much for Him, as He recognizes our human limitations. Therefore, say few words about it. Note: Worship is a time of reflection on God's greatness and our thankfulness to Him. Leave it at that! If God wants to set you apart for something special, He will carve a path for you.
Q. What causes nightmares?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:3 = Being too busy.
Q. What is characteristic of a fool?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:3 = Being a blabbermouth.
Q. God Doesn't make us make promises to Him. But if we do, does He expect us to keep these promises?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:4 = Yes -- without delay!
Q. If we break promises to God, is it sin?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:5-6 = Yes.
Q. I knowfolks who talk a lot about their dreams, but don't do them. What does God say about it?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:7 = There is ruin in a flood of empty words. Fear God instead.
Q. Does having wealth bring happiness?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:10 = No. Those who love money will never have enough.
Q. What happens to wealthy folks?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:11 = People come to help spend it.
Q. Who sleeps well?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:12 = Hard workers.
Q. Who sleeps badly?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:12 = The rich.
Q. Why?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:12 = They are always worrying.
Q. Are people good with riches?	A. Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 5:13-15 = No. They either hoard their riches, to their own detriment, or they invest riskily and lose it all. Even if they kept it, they can't take it to the grave.
Q. What do all people struggle with?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:17 = Frustration, discouragement and anger. Like a cloud, they live with these things close by.
Q. Is it good to enjoy good food and drink?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:18 = Yes. Enjoy work, eat and drink. Know that your days are known only by God and they can end at any time.
Q. Is it okay to be wealthy?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:19 = Yes! God gives wealth and health to enjoy.
Q. What results if I live enjoying my work, playing, enjoying food and drink and life?	A. Ecclesiastes 5:20 = "People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy."
Q. What other injustice happens on earth?	A. Ecclesiastes 6:2 = 1)People get wealth from God, along with illness. 2) A man can have a hundred children and find no satisfaction in life. Unhappiness in life is a tragedy. 3) Most people struggle to survive.
Q. Why is being content with what you have so necessary?	A. Ecclesiastes 6:9 = You can enjoy what you have. Dreaming about nic things is meaningless.
Q. What is something huge that I cannot change?	A. Ecclesiastes 6:10 = My destiny. It was decided long ago by God what I would be. Note: Think about this for a minute: We have free will, yet destiny. Who fights with God about his destiny? Substance abusers and those who lose their minds in extreme cases. It really is to our benefit to let God guide us in life. We will truly be happy with our work if we do what we are designed to do!
Q. Why should we control the amount of words we speak?	A. Ecclesiastes 6:11 = "The more words you speak, the less they mean. So why overdo it?"
Q. We can prepare for the future, but what reality check do we need about it?	A. Ecclesiastes 6:12 = 1) We're never one hundred percent sure we spend our short days the best we can. 2) The future after we're gone is undetermined.
Q. Why should I be concerned that my reputation stays good?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:1 = My reputation is more valuable than the most expensive perfume. When you die, what will be said of you is more important than the day you were born. Spend your life mindful of your reputation! This means treating people well. That takes effort, but that's your job!
Q. If I had the choice of attending a funeral or a festival, which should I choose?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:2 = The funeral.
Q. Why?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:2 = I'm going to die some day and I should think about it while there is still time. Note: Death gives us perspective. We only have so much time on earth. What will we do with it? Think about the legacy you'll leave behind. Attend a funeral and be inspired!
Q. Why must we feel sadness?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:3 = Sadness refines us for good. Its influence is better than laughter.
Q. How can I judge myself, whether I'm getting more wise or foolish?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:4 = Do you think about death much? Wise folks do. It influences their use of time. A fool parties now, focused on immediate pleasure only.
Q. A fool recently denied my claim of being saved. I am annoyed! How should I see it?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:5 = It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool! It is meaningless."
Q. What is dangerous about extortion?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:7 = Extortion turns wise people into fools. Note: This is a nasty temptation. No matter how good your relationship with God is, extortion is tempting for all of us!
Q. What's wrong with taking a little bribe?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:7 = Bribes corrupt the heart.
Q. I have started a lot of projects, but don't tend to finish them. Is this good?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:8 = No. Finishing is more important than starting [We need to finish what we begin].
Q. What makes our pride rise up?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:8 = Lack of patience. Note: Get patient and defeat sin!
Q. What else can I choose?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:9 = Not to be quick-tempered. Anger is the friend of fools. Note: Don't run away in shame because you lost your temper. Repent instead, humble yourself right there and continue where you left off.
Q. Why not dwell on the good old days?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:10 = We don't know that the old days were better than the present. Note: We tend to remember those things that touched us emotionally: The very worst and the very best. But it takes up a lot of time to recall all those events and they mean nothing to our lives today. Focus! Think instead of your future legacy. Go forward! Keep your eyes up!
Q. I am wise, but poor. Is this good?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:11 = Yes! Poverty and wisdom is better than being wise and rich! Both can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life. Note: Knowing how to swim, administer CPR, how to invest, how to maintain your car, how to live on one income, how to budget, how to be patient, how to apply God's Word to your everyday life; all are products of wisdom. Learn as much as you can. Wisdom enhances life. Don't let human knowledge be preferred over God's knowledge. That's where you draw the line. God is the people expert! Everything we need to know about how we function, stop functioning and excel is within the pages of the Bible.
Q. Should I see God as someone to imitate?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:13 = Yes! "Notice the way God does things, then fall into line. Don't fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what He has made crooked?" Note: God's ways sometimes seems crooked to us, but it's us who need to turn left or right to follow Him.
Q. Why does God prosper, then give us hard times later on?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:14 = So we will know that nothing is certain in this life. Both riches and poverty come from God.
Q. Does wisdom sometimes contradict itself?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:15 = Yes. [But how it does is explained in the Bible, which is pure wisdom!]For instance, 1) Sometimes good people die young 2) Sometimes evil people live long.
Q. What lessons can we learn from this?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:16-17 = 1) Don't do good works to the detriment of your health -- no extremes! You'll destroy yourself and die young. 2) Don't be dangerously evil and let your foolishness shorten your life.
Q. I can shortenmy own life by the decisions I make?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:17 = Yes! It's your choice!
Q. How do I live my full lifespan?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:18 = In finding a happy medium. My good deeds done with common sense; my idiot foolishness be done not so riskily! Note: God knows we will sin; He just warns against the extremes. Isn't God good?
Q. What is walking this middle course called?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:18 = Walking in the fear of God. Note: Listening to God's warnings, staying away from extremes because of God's warnings, shows you fear God.
Q. What benefit does the wise person have?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:19 = He is stronger than the ten leading citizens of a town!
Q. Are there any people on earth who don't sin?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:20 = No! Everybody sins!
Q. What problems arise from my eavesdropping?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:21 = The conversations you listen in on may be about you; they may be laughing at you. Servants talk about masters as well as do fools. You don't want to know what they are saying!
Q. What should I remember about eavesdropping?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:22 = You talk about people too! Do you want people eavesdropping on you?
Q. What example did Solomon set for us to follow?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:23 = 1) Let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions (move forward thoughtfully!) 2) Determine to be wise, though you may fail anyway.
Q. Why do I fail anyway at times?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:24 = "Wisdom is always distant and very difficult to find." Note: Don't be too hard on yourself when you fail. Two steps forward, one step back, is life! Keep moving forward. Like the song says, "I pick myself up, I dust myself off, and start all over again!"
Q. Is there any hope for a young man in escaping the seduction of an evil woman?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:26 = Only if he lives a pleasing life before God will he see her for what she is. [So guys, stay close to your heavenly Father!]
Q. Are men more upright than women?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:28 = Yes. One out of a thousand men can be said to be upright. But there are less upright women!
Q. What is the tragedy about that?	A. Ecclesiastes 7:29 = "God created people to be upright, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path." Note: Hence, the need for a Savior!
Q. What tools does wisdom offer us?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:1 = 1) The ability to analyze and interpret things 2) Wisdom lights up a person's face 3) Wisdom softens a hard face. Note: Are you confused, bitter or lost? Get wisdom, get healing. God knows exactly what you need to hear in order to heal. Open your Bible and begin to read. Look for God's personal word for you. Can God give such personalized guidance? Yes! Only He can!
Q. There will always be kings and rulers. Should I try to live outside their laws?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:2 = No. If you submit your life to God, part of that is obeying the king.
Q. What does obeying the king entail?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:3 = 1) Civil duty 2) Obedience to the laws of the land.
Q. Is there a bigger reason to keep the king's laws?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:4 = Yes. They are backed by great power. No one is successful resisting or questioning the laws of the land.
Q. What happens if I honor the king?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:5 = I'll avoid punishment.
Q. Are doing things God's way, the kings way, the right way, easy to do?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:5 = Not always so easy! "Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right."
Q. Is there always a way to do something right?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:6 = Yes. No matter how difficult a problem you face!
Q. Do people have the power to hurt each other?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:9 = Yes. [Another poor use of time, and a poor choice of activities.]
Q. What is odd about wicked people?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:10 = 1) Wicked people are buried with honor. 2) Wicked people love to go to church 3) Wicked people are praised in the very city they commit their crimes.
Q. Should crime be punished?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:11 = Yes.
Q. Why?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:11 = Criminals otherwise feel free to run amok and evil increases.
Q. What is the fate of the life-long criminal who seems to escape punishment?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:13 = He won't live along, good life, for he does not fear God.
Q. What else seems to contradict wisdom?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:14 = Good people are treated as though they were wicked; wicked people are treated as though they were good.
Q. What do I do in light of this?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:15 = Have fun, enjoy life and work hard. Experience this happiness as much as you can.
Q. Will we ever know all there is to know about life, knowledge and wisdom?	A. Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 = No.
Q. Does God follow a rule book? For example, if I do a good deed, God will automatically reward me?	A. Ecclesiastes 9:1 = No. I may be good and full of good deeds all my life and never be shown favor in this life.
Q. What can we count on?	A. Ecclesiastes 9:2 = Death.
Q. Why don't people want to do good?	A. Ecclesiastes 9:3 = They know they are destined to die. They have no hope.
Q. Are there good women out there?	A. Ecclesiastes 9:9 = Yes! God gives good wives to godly, hardworking men.
Q. Does God care about the quality of work I do?	A. Ecclesiastes 9:10 = Yes. [God knows I'll be happiest putting my whole self into my work.]
Q. What takes little planning or effort by contrast?	A. Ecclesiastes 9:10 = Your funeral!
Q. What is true about life?	A. Ecclesiastes 9:11 = 1) The fastest runner doesn't always win the race 2) The strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle 3) The wise are often poor 4) The skillful are not necessarily wealthy. 5) The educated don't always lead successful lives. 6) All is decided by being at the right place at the right time 7) You can't predict hard times 8) Sudden tragedy happens.
Q. What else is true about life?	A. Ecclesiastes 9:16 = Though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor.
Q. What does foolishness weigh?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:1 = One ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom and honor. Note: See how dangerous and powerful foolishness is? Don't sin! Seek God's ways!
Q. What benefit do I get by storing up God's wisdom in my heart?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:2 = My heart will lead me to do right.
Q. Why do people do evil?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:2 = Their hearts are foolish, having no wisdom to draw from.
Q. How do I get over my angry boss's attack on me?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:4 = With a quiet spirit -- humility -- wait for the emotions to pass. Even great wrongs can be overcome by patience. Note: Great patience is learned by anyone who must endure the jabs of a bully. Don't be surprised if someone who doesn't know God is very strong in character, if he has also endured much in life.
Q. Should we be picky in delegating power to people?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:6 = Yes.
Q. Who should we trust?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:6 = People of proven worth.
Q. What do people in authority often forget to do?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:6 = Hire good people! Note: People trust their friends too much. Even if they are unskilled in their positions, they'll hire them first.
Q. What happens?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:7 = Servants are made royal; princes are made servants. Note: Be fair and your business will prosper accordingly. In church, place the right people in ther rightful places and be blessed.
Q. What reward do I get by gaining wisdom?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:10 = I don't have to work or labor so hard. Wisdom in my trade sharpens me to success.
Q. Is there any wisdom apart from God?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:13 = No. "Since fools base their thoughts on foolish premises, their conclusions will be wicked madness."
Q. What is characteristic of fools?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:15 = They are so exhausted by a little work that they have no strength for even the simplest task.
Q. Can we really calculate where we will be in twenty years?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:14 = No.
Q. Should children rule a nation?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:16 = No, never!
Q. Should kings party?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:16 = No, never. Note: Kings should party only to eat for strength to work. No booze!
Q. What is the problem with laziness?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:18 = Lazy folks won't maintenance their homes and soon they rot away.
Q. Should we honor whatever king we have?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:20 = Yes. Don't even think bad thoughts about him. (He is God's elect!)
Q. Should we avoid mocking a rich man?	A. Ecclesiastes 10:20 = Yes. Word does get back to him (and he influences many).
Q. Should we give minimally or generously?	A. Ecclesiastes 11:1 = Generously!
Q. Why?	A. Ecclesiastes 11:1 = We get it back anyway.
Q. Should I focus all my gifts on one thing?	A. Ecclesiastes 11:2 = No. Divide your gifts among many projects.
Q. Why?	A. Ecclesiastes 11:2 = You don't know what risks might lie ahead. Note: Lots of opportunities to give arise. A little here and there is good. If we all gave, there would be no need! Try not to turn anyone away and look for ways to give.
Q. What should I remember when making plans?	A. Ecclesiastes 11:3-6 = Discerning a launch time is always a blur Don't wait for a sign from heaven, trust God and move forward, knowing that He is in it. The fruit of your work always has some surprises. It's all good!
Q. Should we remind old folks of their coming death?	A. Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 = Yes. Rejoice with them in life, but then also talk about the inevitable end.
Q. Should I hold my son to his life plans?	A. Ecclesiastes 11:9 = No. He'll discover new roads and want to explore a lot. This is normal!
Q. What can I say to advise him?	A. Ecclesiastes 11:9 = 1) Be excited for him 2) Warn him that he must give account to God for everything he does 3) He should banish grief and pain 4) He should do things he will be remembered for or else face meaninglessness 5) He shouldn't let the excitement of youth cause him to forget his Creator 6) He should honor God while he is young 7) If he waits to be thankful to God when he is old, at a time when he doesn't feel healthy anymore, he will find it hard to find something to be thankful for!
Q. What does old age bring with it?	A. Ecclesiastes 12:2-7 = 1) Failing eyesight 2) Limbs trembling 3) Weakening legs 4) Teeth falling out 5) Blindness 6) Sleeplessness 7) Deafness 8) Tuneless voice 9) Quavering voice 10) Phobias of heights and of falling 11) White hair 12) Withering body 13) Dragging along the way 14) No sexual desire.
Q. How is death described?	A. Ecclesiastes 12:6-9 = 1) The silver cord of life snapping 2) The golden bowl is broken 3) The water jar is smashed 4) The spring and the pulley are broken at the well.
Q. Whee does my body and spirit go after death?	A. Ecclesiastes 12:7 = The body goes to the earth and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Q. What should a wise person do for a living?	A. Ecclesiastes 12:9-12 = 1) Teach everything he knows! 2) Collect proverbs and classify them 3) Teach the plain truth in an interesting way 4) Spur students to action and emphasize important truths 5) Know that his collected sayings are life guidance from a shepherd 6) Stay away from talking and teaching opinions -- they'll suck his entire life and he'll be exhausted!
Q. What conclusion did Solomon make?	A. Ecclesiastes 12:13 = Fear God -- obey His commands, which is the duty of all people. God will judge us all!

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