Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
CLASS ELEVEN: Aging Gracefully
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen to Ecclesiastes 11:1-10
a. What are your initial impressions or questions? Notable translation differences?
III. Making Sound Investments (vv. 1-6)
a. (vs. 1) A reference to a return on overseas investments. (1 Kings 9:26-28)
b. (vs. 2) Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
c. (vv. 3-5) The reasons why one should diversify their investments:
i. Some signs may indicate a future likelihood, while some trends never change.
ii. Waiting for the hope of absolute success before acting leads to inaction.
iii. We don’t need to know everything about something in order to make decisions
d. (vs. 6) Hard work will bring success in at least one of our ventures.
IV. Enjoy Your Youth (vv. 7-10)
a. (vv. 7-8) In the bible, light is often associated with life and darkness is associated with death. What are these verses telling us?
b. (vs. 9) What is the advice to the young man? (Men were the original audience for Ecclesiastes)
c. Compare translations of verse 10.
i. The Hebrew word [r ra` translated as “pain” literally means “evil.” It could be translated as “remove sin from your body.”
ii. The Hebrew word twrxv shacharuwth translated as “prime of life” (or something like it) literally means “black hair.” How does that help us visualize the message given?
V. Read / Listen to Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
a. What are your initial impressions or questions? Notable translation differences?
VI. Turn to God Before Aging Robs You (vv. 1-7)
a. God as our Creator means that we fear Him and we are accountable to Him. He also calls us to enjoy the life He created for us.
b. In this section, what are the three “turn to God before” statements that paint a vivid picture of aging and dying?
c. (vs. 2) This is most likely an apocalyptic reference that alludes to the great works of creation in Genesis 1:3-8.
d. (vv. 3-4) These verses are a metaphor for the body declining with age.
i. What are the guardians of the house?
ii. What are the strong men?
iii. What are the women who grind?
iv. What are the ones who watch through the windows?
e. (vs. 5) Who is described in the first part of this verse?
i. What is the almond tree?
ii. What does the grasshopper and caper berry refer to? (Caper berries were considered an aphrodisiac)
iii. What does the last part of this verse refer to?
f. (vs. 6) The cord, bowl, jar, and wheel are references to drawing water from a well. In the bible, life is often associated with water. What does silver and gold imply?
g. What is the obvious reference in verse 7? (See Genesis 2:7; 3:19)
VII. The Preacher’s Objectives (vv. 8-12)
a. Chapter 1:2 and Chapter 12:8 are like bookends to Ecclesiastes.
b. (vv. 9-10) These verses lend support to the notion that Solomon is the author of Ecclesiastes. (1 Kings 4:30-34)
c. (vs. 11) What are goads and how are these wise sayings like them? How are the wise sayings like embedded nails? Who is the one Shepherd?
d. (vs. 12) What is the point of this verse?
VIII. The Conclusion (vv. 13-14)
a. The Masoretic Text reverses the order of vv. 13 and 14. Why do you think that is?
b. Why do you think Solomon says, “This is for all humanity?”
IX. Application
a. It is best to turn to the Lord while we are young in order to have wisdom through the various experiences in our lives. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
b. As we grow older our mortal bodies will fail but our faith in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will preserve us for all of eternity. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
c. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person, for God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
X. Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: Poem I: The Bride & The Bridegroom
Read Song of Solomon 1:1 – 2:7 to prepare.
