#30SecondBible: Ecclesiastes

Wisdom & Work

By Cláudio Carvalhaes

Qohelet. Ecclesiastes. Two words are fundamental in this book: wisdom and work. Elsa Tamez says: “We have in the book the affirmation of life in eating and drinking with joy, with the person you love, even in the midst of slave work. The writer of Ecclesiastes works, do things, reviews life, reflects on death, searches and concludes that there is no better thing in life than to actually do the very basic, the most common, simple things in life.”

  1. What comes to mind when you think of wisdom and work?
  2. In your opinion, what are the very basic, most common, simple things in life?

Utopian Horizons

By Cláudio Carvalhaes

The good news in Ecclesiastes is to obey God. And to obey God is to find wisdom in the passing things of life, living our lives fully. There is nothing more than that. However, when we live our lives, we look at the situation around us and we realize that there is so much injustice. Thus, we must build utopian horizons of freedom and liberation. Obeying God is to live our lives fully in everything we do and in working against the injustices of our time, building hope for all.

  1. What does it mean to obey God?
  2. What injustices of our time are you called to work against? What does it look like for you to build hope for all?

Straight Up

By Anna Spencer

The bartender asks, “How would you like it?” And this time just for once you say, “straight up”. As if to say, “Do want the kid’s version of the adult’s version of the story?” Make no mistake this is the latter. It’s 12 conversations that span a lifetime of learning and exploring. Hopefully, even after the toughest of these, you arrive at a place where you can toast your life. Welcome to the thinking and dialogue behind ash Wednesday.

  1. What’s the difference between the kid’s version and the adult’s version of the story?
  2. What does it mean to tell your story, “straight up?"

This Is Where You Go

By Anna Spencer

Ecclesiastes is the outspoken friend who doesn’t hold back. The story you win in an arm wrestle with a relative. The midwife who’s done it all before. When you're tired of half truths and idealized depictions, this is where you go. Life is brief but a breath. In + out. The Teacher says, let’s examine that breath together. Let me share what I’ve learned. We are all asking who am I and why am I here. This book is your conversation partner.

  1. Where do you go when you’re tired of half truths and idealized depictions?
  2. What do you notice when you examine your breath?

See the complete #30SecondBible series

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