Encountering the Old Testament, 4th Edition
A Christian Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Materials available for professors by request only
Chapter
23. Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs: Israelite Faith in Everyday Life
Discussion Questions
- How can Christians today apply the book of Ecclesiastes to their lives?
- What theological themes in Ecclesiastes are most useful for Christians to use to build their lives?
- How important is it for us to identify the author of Ecclesiastes?
- What is the major lesson Christians today can learn from the Song of Songs?
- What does the explicit sexuality of the Song of Songs tell us about God?
Class Activities
- Ask the students to work in pairs to identify admonitions in Ecclesiastes. In a general sharing period, have the students read the passages aloud. As they do this, make a list of the admonitions on the board. Class time allowed: 15 minutes.
- Lead a class discussion about the use of the Hebrew literary form x of x (vanity of vanities). Ask the students to identify the ways that this form is used in modern advertising. Class time allowed: 15 minutes.