⁷ All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. ⁶ The wind blows to the south and turns to the north round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. ⁵ The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” ³ What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? ⁴ Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. ¹ The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: ² “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. How much importance is placed on “self” and satisfying or meeting the needs of self? Spend a minute considering some of the key themes that drive much of today’s advertising and product messaging. More importantly, the Bible provides clarity and assistance regarding what truly constitutes meaningful and enduring purpose in life.ġ. These are all illusions! God’s Word provides hard truth regarding these illusions. For example, we’re constantly bombarded with advertising that tells us lasting fulfillment can be found in the possessing of things…that well-being can be found in the applause of others… or that attaining a position of power and authority is the solution to our insecurities. Webster defines illusion as, “a false idea or belief.” In this Bible Study we will examine how easy it is to fall prey to illusions. To believe that is to embrace an illusion. ME – ME – ME! How easy it is to believe that life is all about… ME… to embrace the notion that everything really does revolve around ME! That, however, is not reality. And much of the messaging that shapes our world view emanates from a culture that places “self” at the center of the universe. Why is that so hard? How do we manage to so easily miss the boat? Our lives are a tapestry of hopes, and fears, and experiences…all of which go into shaping how we view the world. When we’re completely honest with ourselves, what we truly want out of life is to find meaningful purpose, and to experience the enduring well-being that derives from finding and fulfilling such purpose. And there’s no shortage of “self-help” literature available to assist us in our quest: Dress for Success, Think & Grow Rich, The Power of Positive Thinking… that list is endless as well.īut in our more thoughtful moments, when we’re all alone and completely honest with ourselves, what we really want out of life are not the trappings of success… not the temporary buzz that comes from this or that achievement… not the passing thrill-of-the-moment that results from this or that accomplishment. Who do you know that doesn’t want to get as much out of life as is humanly possible? Financial security, good health, a position of power and authority, great friendships, amazing sex… the list is endless… and has been from the beginning of time. What do you want out of Life? LESSON 3 (– “ORIGINAL STUDY”) We welcome your feedback and encourage you to send us your thoughts via our website’s “contact us” option. From God’s words we get clarity and the hard truth of how we are to live our lives. The only true truth for us on earth comes from God’s words. As defined in the Dictionary, “illusion” is a false idea or belief. The world’s culture creates an “illusion” of what is success and what is important. Books such as Dress for Success and The Power of Positive Thinking stand ready to help us reach our goals in life.Īs the Study asks, “Why is it so hard? Why do we miss the boat in discovering how to live a meaningful and purposeful life?” It is difficult because all of these self-help books are focused on a culture that places “self” at the center of the universe and “not God.” There are thousands of “self-help” books that promise to help us in our personal quest. What will make “me” happy? What do “I” want to achieve in life? How can “I” be successful and have financial security? This Study Guide covers the topic of “what we want out of our life on Earth.” We live in a very self-centered world where we are constantly being bombarded with messages that center on self or me.
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