Single lesson
Ecclesiastes 1: Everything Is Futile
Ecclesiastes 1:1–11; Ecclesiastes 1:12–18
Ecclesiastes 1 uses strong wisdom language to describe life as the Preacher observes it. Students will compare his broad examples from the world with his personal search by wisdom, then explain the main teaching of the chapter.
Before you teach
The passage begins by naming the speaker as the Preacher, a son of David and king in Jerusalem. He first asks what gain comes from labour under the sun, then gives examples of repeating patterns, weariness and fading memory. After that, he describes his own search by wisdom and the sorrow he found in it.
Students will be able to compare the Preacher’s public observations in Ecclesiastes 1:4-11 with his personal investigation in Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, and explain that in this passage labour under the sun does not show lasting gain and increased knowledge increases sorrow.
Welcome: A big question from wisdom writing
5 minTell students that this chapter asks an honest question about life. Read Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 aloud. Explain that the Preacher repeats the word “vanity” and asks what gain comes from labour under the sun. Ask students to listen for examples that help answer that question as the chapter continues.
Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:3
Read and explain: Repeating patterns and limited memory
8 minRead Ecclesiastes 1:4-11. Trace the examples in order: generations come and go, the sun rises and goes down, the wind turns, and rivers keep flowing. Then notice the human side: all things are weary, the eye and ear are not satisfied, there is “no new thing under the sun”, and later people forget what came before.
Ecclesiastes 1:4, Ecclesiastes 1:5, Ecclesiastes 1:6, Ecclesiastes 1:7, Ecclesiastes 1:8, Ecclesiastes 1:9, Ecclesiastes 1:10, Ecclesiastes 1:11
Discuss: From world examples to the Preacher’s own search
7 minRead Ecclesiastes 1:12-18. Point out the shift in voice. In verses 4-11, the Preacher gives broad observations about the world and human experience. In verses 12-18, he speaks personally: “I applied my heart”. He says he had great wisdom and knowledge, yet his search still led him to call it vanity and a chasing after wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:12, Ecclesiastes 1:13, Ecclesiastes 1:14, Ecclesiastes 1:16, Ecclesiastes 1:17
Make and respond: Reminder card from the passage
6 minStudents choose one verse or short phrase to copy onto a card, such as “no new thing under the sun”, “the eye is not satisfied”, or “chasing after wind”. They add a small drawing and then explain how their verse fits the chapter’s message about repetition, limits or sorrow in knowing more.
Ecclesiastes 1:8, Ecclesiastes 1:9, Ecclesiastes 1:14, Ecclesiastes 1:18
Closing: What the Preacher found
4 minReview the movement of the chapter. The Preacher starts with examples from life and creation, then tells what happened when he examined everything by wisdom. Include verse 15: some things cannot be made straight or counted. Finish by restating the chapter’s words about labour under the sun, chasing after wind, grief and sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 1:3, Ecclesiastes 1:14, Ecclesiastes 1:15, Ecclesiastes 1:18
Questions to explore
What examples in verses 4-11 show the repeated patterns the Preacher sees?
Name the examples in order, then include what he says about weariness, “no new thing”, and memory fading.
Ecclesiastes 1:4, Ecclesiastes 1:5, Ecclesiastes 1:6, Ecclesiastes 1:7, Ecclesiastes 1:8, Ecclesiastes 1:9, Ecclesiastes 1:10, Ecclesiastes 1:11
How is verses 12-18 different from verses 4-11 in what the Preacher is doing?
In verses 4-11 he gives general observations, but in verses 12-18 he describes his own search, his wisdom, and what he concluded.
Ecclesiastes 1:4, Ecclesiastes 1:11, Ecclesiastes 1:12, Ecclesiastes 1:13, Ecclesiastes 1:16, Ecclesiastes 1:18
What did the Preacher discover when he used wisdom to search, and which words show that clearly?
Use his own conclusions about vanity, chasing after wind, what cannot be made straight, and the sorrow linked with increased knowledge.
Ecclesiastes 1:14, Ecclesiastes 1:15, Ecclesiastes 1:17, Ecclesiastes 1:18
Make, think or respond
Key Verse Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils
- textas or crayons
- Bible
Try it together
- Ask each student to choose one short phrase or verse from Ecclesiastes 1.
- Have them copy the words carefully onto a small card.
- Invite them to draw one simple picture that matches the verse, such as a turning wind, flowing river, eye, or a person searching.
- Let each student read their chosen words aloud and explain in one sentence how the verse fits the chapter.
The card helps students remember the chapter’s own language about life under the sun, repeated patterns, chasing after wind, and the sorrow connected with increased knowledge in this passage.
Adapt for your group
- For younger readers, offer three verse choices only: Ecclesiastes 1:3, Ecclesiastes 1:8, or Ecclesiastes 1:9, and help them explain the meaning with a spoken sentence.
- For stronger readers, ask them to write two short headings, “observations” for Ecclesiastes 1:4-11 and “investigation” for Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, then place verse ideas under each heading.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “God, thank you for giving us honest wisdom words. Help us listen carefully to this passage, understand what the Preacher says, and speak truthfully about what we learn. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Ecclesiastes 1
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
3 What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?
4 One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.
6 The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.
7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.
8 All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 That which has been is that which shall be, and that which has been done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there a thing of which it may be said, “Behold, this is new”? It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us.
11 There is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after.
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
15 That which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.
16 I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
17 I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.