Heart Prep:
King Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes as he reflected on his life. Though he had all the riches and wisdom life had to offer, he relayed in this writing that nothing matters apart from fearing the Lord and walking in His ways. Solomon wasn’t commanding his readers to stop caring about working hard, investing in the next generation, or experiencing what life has to offer. Instead, he poetically explained how lives spent on pursuing only the things of this world have no eternal meaning and will not be remembered. When we order our lives with Jesus as our main pursuit, we experience the purpose and meaning that Christ died for us to receive; we experience life everlasting here and now. The gospel frees us from chasing after temporary, empty things and transforms our hearts to love and serve God.
Message:
Solomon was the richest man in the world. He was famous. He was wiser than any man who had ever lived. He was the most powerful person in all of Israel. Yet, Solomon realized that having all these gifts could never give his life meaning and purpose. Solomon wrote a book called Ecclesiastes to teach this truth to other people. The book begins this way:
“Absolutely worthless,’ says the Teacher.
‘Everything is absolutely worthless.’
What does a person gain for all his hard work?
All his sweat and effort that he gives under the sun?
A generation of people dies, and another is born,
But the earth is pretty much the same as it has always been.
The sun rises and sets over and over, the same as it always has.
The wind rushes to the south, then to the north, and it’s always turning in cycles.
The streams all flow to the sea, but the sea is never full, and the streams keep
flowing.
Everything is so tiring, more than anyone wants to say out loud.
No matter what you see, you always want to see more.
No matter what you hear, you always want to hear more.
What has been before will be again.
What you do today, you’ll have to do again tomorrow.
There is nothing new anywhere under the sun.
No one remembers the people who came before them.
And no one who will be born in the future will be remembered either.”
Solomon wanted people to realize that no matter what we do on earth, none
of it really matters unless we are living for God’s glory. Knowing and serving
God is what truly matters (Eccl. 8:12).
Main Point:
People spend their lives trying to get riches, power, and fame, but none of it lasts. Only a life spent trusting in Jesus as Savior and following Him will matter in the end. Jesus lived, died, and rose again so we could find purpose in Him and be with God forever.
Discussion:
Where are people most tempted to place their value, worth, and time? Why?
Discuss how people may place their worth, time, and attention on the things of this world— money, good grades, reputation, and success. We often believe we will experience greater joy by gaining the things of the world. However, King Solomon gained all that the world had to offer yet realized that only God could satisfy and provide him with meaning and purpose. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Eccl. 2:4-11.)
How does faith in Jesus give us purpose?
Tell kids that this world and its values are temporary, but God is eternal. The gospel frees us from chasing after temporary and empty things and transforms our hearts to love and serve God over the ways of the world. Christ came that we may have life and have it in abundance. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Eph. 3:7-11.)
Why should we trust God and His Word over the ways of the world?
Remind kids that because God is our Creator, all authority and truth come from Him. God holds all wisdom and has promised that those who fear Him and trust in Jesus will have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Eccl. 12:13-14.)
