As people who claim freedom in Christ and the goodness of God abounding in the ordinary, we still often find it difficult to approach the Bible. While scripture has always had an authoritative and formative role in the life of God’s people, we’ve also seen how it has been used to bind, wound, and separate. We are often unsure what to do with difficult texts that don’t align with our understanding and experience of God, and the promise for the reconciliation of all creation. In light of this, it’s particularly tempting to not even read much from the Old Testament. In this season, we enter the story of God through the wisdom literature, or persona, of Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) and find our place as wanderers and wonderers. In this book, history, politics, and human nature are seen in a bleak light – something we might identify with today. And so we assemble, as disciples, to take in the wisdom shared and be reoriented and renewed to participate in what God is doing here and now, in a complex world that is constantly changing.
Week by Week:
September 4 - Holiday Weekend Brunch Gathering
September 11: Intro/Language of Qoheleth [Chapter 1]
September 18: Testing Hevel [Chapter 2]
September 25: Time [Chapter 3]
October 2: Carpe Diem [Chapter 4]
October 9: Contentment [Chapter 5]
October 16: Good, Better, Wise [Chapter 6-7:14]
October 23: Riddles [Chapter 7:15-29]
October 30: Approaching Death [Chapter 8-9:6]
November 6: Quiet Words [Chapter 9:7-18]
November 13: Observations and Diligence [Chapter 10-11]
November 20: Remembering [Chapter 12]
November 27 - Brunch + First Sunday of Advent
Discussion Prompts:
-Re-read this week’s text. What wisdom do you hear in a fresh way? Are you reminded of any other writings/thoughts/lyrics/scripture texts that bring more fullness to what you are processing? Did Jesus speak to this?
-Where are you being challenged this week as you wrestle with the disorienting complexities of life? How does the larger story of God at work in the world meet you in this time/place?
-Take some time this week to just be - breathe, enjoy nature, spend time with friends/family - and notice how you experience the wisdom your body knows. How does that wisdom connect to what we read in Ecclesiastes?
-What are your (and our Trinity community’s) current wanderings and wonderings? Write them down. Talk to someone who can hold your story with care and together begin to explore how the Spirit is orienting you toward the larger story God is writing in the world.
Resources:
This Here Flesh by Cole Author Riley
Making Sense of the Bible by Adam Hamilton
What Do We Do with the Bible? by Richard Rohr
Music:
Down in the deep dark valley - the Oh Hellos
Four of Arrows - Great Grandpa
Literally anything by Julien Baker
Seasonal small groups
Evolving Faith! - October start, end by Thanksgiving
(photo credit: Inga Gezalian)