Theme: Is life really worth living?

A SUGGESTED OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES

Key verses: Ecclesiastes 1:1–3; 12:13–14

I. The Problem Declared (Ecclesiastes 1—2)

Life is not worth living! Consider:

A. The monotony of life (Ecclesiastes 1:4–11)

B. The vanity of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:12–18)

C. The futility of wealth (Ecclesiastes 2:1–11)

D. The certainty of death (Ecclesiastes 2:12–23)

Enjoy life (Ecclesiastes 2:24)

II. The Problem Discussed (Ecclesiastes 3—10)

Solomon considers each of the above arguments:

A. The monotony of life (Ecclesiastes 3:1—5:9)

1. Look up (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8)

2. Look within (Ecclesiastes 3:9–14)

3. Look ahead (Ecclesiastes 3:15–22)

4. Look around (Ecclesiastes 4:1—5:9)

Enjoy life (Ecclesiastes 3:12–15, 22)

B. The futility of wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:10—6:12)

1. Employing wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:10–17)

2. Enjoying wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:18—6:12)

Enjoy life (Ecclesiastes 5:18–20)

C. The vanity of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 7:1—8:17)

1. We make life better (Ecclesiastes 7:1–10)

2. We see life clearer (Ecclesiastes 7:11–18)

3. We face life stronger (Ecclesiastes 7:19—8:17)

Enjoy life (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

D. The certainty of death (Ecclesiastes 9:1—10:20)

1. Death is unavoidable (Ecclesiastes 9:1–10)

2. Life is unpredictable (Ecclesiastes 9:11–18)

3. Beware of folly (Ecclesiastes 10:1–20)

Enjoy life (Ecclesiastes 9:7–10)

III. The Problem Decided (Ecclesiastes 11—12)

A. Live by faith (Ecclesiastes 11:1–6)

B. Enjoy life now (Ecclesiastes 11:7—12:8)

C. Prepare for judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:9–14)

Enjoy life (Ecclesiastes 11:9–10)