Chapter Summary

Exhortation to works of charity and right living.

Discussion Questions for Ecclesiastes, Chapter 11

1. Ecclesiastes 11:1 encourages readers to cast their bread upon the waters. What do you think this metaphor signifies about the value of taking risks and embracing uncertainty in life?
2. Reflect on the idea of diversifying investments and efforts, as suggested in Ecclesiastes 11:2-6. How can this principle be applied not only to financial matters but also to personal growth and decision-making?
3. Ecclesiastes 11:5 acknowledges the uncertainty of life, stating, "As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb[a] of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything." How do you navigate uncertainty and maintain faith or resilience in the face of life's unpredictability?
4. Ecclesiastes 11 encourages action rather than passive observation. How do you balance the need for prudent planning with the recognition that some outcomes are beyond your control?
5. Reflect on the imagery of light and darkness used in Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 to illustrate the fleeting nature of life. How does this metaphor resonate with your own understanding of mortality and the passage of time?
6. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 advises young people to enjoy their youth but also to remember that God will bring them to judgment. How can young individuals balance the pursuit of pleasure with a sense of responsibility and accountability?
7. Ecclesiastes 11:10 states, "Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity." How do you interpret this advice in the context of seeking wisdom and living a purposeful life?
8. Reflect on the principle of sowing and reaping discussed in Ecclesiastes 11 verses 6 and 9. How do you see this principle at work in your own life and in broader societal contexts?
9. Ecclesiastes 11:9 encourages readers to "rejoice in the days of your youth" and to remember their Creator. How does cultivating a spirit of gratitude contribute to resilience and contentment in the midst of life's uncertainties?
10. Ecclesiastes 11:1 advises, "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days." How do you interpret this metaphor of generosity and investment in relation to your own experiences of giving and receiving?

Key Words/Phrase

Give, v. 2.

Characters

God, Solomon.

Strong Verse(s)

1, 9.