Life is boring and frustrating.  Welcome to philosophy class 101.

Observation

1. It is the words of who?
2. The Hebrew word, hebel, is referenced how many times in verse 2 alone?
3. How is each human generation contrasted with the earth?
4. What are three examples from creation that the author uses to point out boring, repetitious patterns in life?

Interpretation

1. Why does life feel so empty?
2. In the light of eternity, what is mortality?
3. “What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?”  Would you dare refute this rhetorical question by the Preacher?
4. Can a person guarantee getting ahead in life?
5. Can anyone really change the course of the world?
6. Is there anywhere in life, where you can escape the weariness?
7. “Is there anything of which it may be said, ‘See, this is new’?”

Application

1. What is frustrating in your life?
2. Are you bored by the same old routines and hearing the same old stories?
3. Do you wonder how some of your study in school will really help you in life?
4. Do you have any friends who are exasperated and ask you, “What is the point?”
5. For someone who is a skeptical realist, how would these opening verses appeal to them?
6. How do you explain the absurd things that happen everyday in the news?