Ecclesiastes 5: 1-7
- What should you go near the house of God to do?
- What should you do if you make a vow to God?
- The accumulation of dreams and of words are what?
- How does religion often start with the grand ideas of people?
- How does a person get to a position of silent awe before God?
The last song in the worship service is a loud and upbeat joyfest that leaves us happily dancing out of the door. The time in the doors of a church is spent with everyone saying how excited they are at their new plans. The endless chatter in the lobby speaks of the endless chatter in our minds. When is it that a person in a church falls face down in wordless worship before a fearsome God?
Going Deeper
Observation
- What should you do when you go near the house of God?
- What should you not be hasty to do in your heart?
- What phrase is repeated in verse 3?
- In what does God have no pleasure?
- What might God do if he is angry at what you say?
Interpretation
- What does ‘guard your steps’ mean (v.1)?
- Why would thoughtless worship lead to more words and not less?
- How is gain and accumulation a topic in this passage?
- What is the biblical definition of a fool?
- How is much dreaming related to much speaking?
Application
- If you go to church, do you think about what to say and do before you arrive?
- How could you be more prepared for church?
- How is a holy God portrayed in your church?
- Have you cut a deal with God? Why did you need that sense of control?
- How does different church architecture affect how you approach God?
