Ecclesiastes 2 | The Search For Lasting Fulfillment

Have you ever chased after something you thought would make you happy, only to find it empty in the end? King Solomon, the wealthiest and wisest man of his time, conducted a grand experiment in the pursuit of fulfillment. His conclusion? Life “under the sun” is like trying to grab smoke—futile and fleeting.

Summary:
In Ecclesiastes 2, Solomon tests three major avenues of human fulfillment—pleasure, wisdom, and work. He indulges in every earthly delight, builds vast projects, gains unparalleled knowledge, and achieves incredible success. Yet, each pursuit leads him to the same realization: nothing in this world truly satisfies. His wisdom remains, but even the wise and the fool share the same fate—death. His work is grand, but it will one day be inherited by those who may squander it. Solomon concludes that lasting fulfillment is not found “under the sun” but in something greater—God.

Discussion Questions:
1. What does Solomon mean when he says, “All is vanity” or “all is smoke”?
2. Why do you think pleasure fails to provide lasting satisfaction?
3. Have you ever pursued something that you thought would bring happiness, only to be left empty?
4. How does Solomon’s pursuit of wisdom differ from his pursuit of pleasure?
5. Why does Solomon say that both the wise and the foolish share the same fate? What does that mean for how we live?
6. What do you think Solomon means when he says that work and wealth can be wasted by heirs?
7. How does Solomon’s conclusion about fulfillment point us toward Jesus?
8. What’s the difference between temporary pleasure and eternal joy?
9. How can we learn to enjoy the small things in life without making them our ultimate pursuit?
10. What are some practical ways to seek fulfillment “under the Son” rather than “under the sun”?

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