The sermon text, and the man behind it. Wisdom beyond measuring, wealth beyond spending, access to anything he wanted — and his opening verdict is that it is all a vapor.

Who is speaking, and what did he have access to that you do not? Name one thing he could afford to test that you never could.

The Teacher says the ground wears us out and gives back less than we put in. Genesis tells you when that started and why.

Mark every word in Ecclesiastes 1:3–8 that describes labor or motion. How many are going somewhere?

David prays what Ecclesiastes observes. He asks God to teach him how fleeting he is, using the same vapor word for every human life.

David and the Teacher use one word for a human life. What does calling life a vapor mean — and what does it not mean?

All humanity is grass, and the grass withers. Isaiah agrees with the Teacher completely, then names the one thing that stands forever.

What is on your calendar this week that you have been treating as though it stands forever?

Paul says creation was subjected to futility — the Greek Old Testament’s word for the Teacher’s vapor. Then he adds what Ecclesiastes has not said yet: it was subjected in hope.

Pray Romans 8:24–25 back to God. Name one thing you are waiting for, and ask him for the patience to keep waiting.