Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• “Philosophy” means “love of wisdom.” It is the study of the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. Do you enjoy philosophy? Why do you think people are interested in philosophy?

• Ecclesiastes applied himself to understanding wisdom (and its opposite, madness and folly). He concludes that it is “herding wind.” Clearly he doesn’t think all wisdom is futile, since he is writing in order to communicate wisdom! The Scriptures are full of God’s wisdom revealed to us, and this wisdom is commended to us as a great treasure: “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” (Prov. 16:16). Ecclesiastes is pessimistic about earthly wisdom (“under the sun”): trying to understand the nature of reality apart from relationship with God. Why do people “desire to know,” as Aristotle claims? Why do people prize, promote, or pursue earthly wisdom? Do you think it is good to have wisdom and understanding about the nature of reality? Do you think there is any value in such wisdom or understanding that comes apart from relationship with God?

• Even as a child, Jesus was “filled with wisdom” (Luke 2:40). He was the wisest of all teachers, always living in the fear of the Lord, connecting everything in his life to God his Father. He “became to us wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:30), revealing true human life with God. “In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). If you want God’s wisdom, you want Jesus, in every part of his life. Do you see God’s wisdom in the Incarnation? Do you see God’s wisdom in Jesus’ ministry? In his crucifixion? In his resurrection? In his ascension? In his pouring out his Spirit upon the church? In his promised return? Do these aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry help you to know how to live all of life in light of your relationship with God? Do you see how all of this is different from—even opposed to—”the good life” as the philosophers would seek to define it?