Hope for a Future World

Study Questions

In this passage, Solomon offers wisdom around the ideas of avoiding foolishness, developing resilience, and leading others well. However, no amount of wisdom can solve the brokenness of this world, and ultimately, we must place our hope in the future world Christ has in store for us.

Application

1. Often, our foolishness feels like wisdom. Do you naturally trust what you think and feel? How can you develop a healthy distrust of your natural tendencies?

2. Our culture reinforces the idea that it’s okay to quit or change course when you are not happy. Why is it so important for us as believers to develop resilience in the face of difficulty? In what circumstance do you currently need this type of resilience?

3. When we choose to indulge ourselves, it leads to ruin and affects others negatively. How is indulgence preventing you from being available and taking responsibility to serve others and do what God has put in front of you?

Key Points

• A small sin can ruin a lifetime of work. This truth should put us on guard so we live in such a way that sin has no place in our lives.

• Others can see the folly of a fool’s choices in a way that he cannot. We must develop a healthy distrust of our own thoughts and feelings.

• The world tells us that our feelings produce truth and should drive our actions. As believers, we cannot be defined by our feelings. Instead, we acknowledge that God defines who we are.

• When the world does not work for us, we are reminded that we must place our hope in something outside this world.

• Applying wisdom should not be ignored nor delayed, even though it does not guarantee insulation from pain.

• Indulging oneself at the expense of others leads to ruin. Living in moderation allows others to be blessed by our leadership.

• Our hope cannot be in the current world changing and getting better, but in the future world that is coming.

Other Scripture References

Philippians 2:14-15

Isaiah 11:1-8