Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Ecclesiastes 1:8

For many Christians, the root cause of sin is temptation. We sin because we fell victim to a tempting situation. But where does temptation come from? What lies under every sin we commit? In this series of teaching videos David Bowden explains why every sin actually comes from our desires, lackings, and unbelief.

Spend four days with Dr. Ramesh Richard, president of RREACH (a Global Proclamation Ministry) and professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, as he offers pastoral insights on how to have a purposeful, meaningful and useful life. You have an immediate and astounding opportunity to build a worthwhile future, beginning now. You may also enjoy the companion plan, “Jesus: Your Soul’s Sole Passion.”

This Bible plan is for anyone who has ever found themselves growing cynical. Cynicism is almost an epidemic today, and it appears to affect Christians and non-Christians alike. Adapted from the book, Didn’t See It Coming, pastor and former lawyer Carey Nieuwhof will help you identify cynicism in your life and discover some practical ways to reclaim optimism in your heart, relationships, faith and life.

In Ecclesiastes, the author attempts to find meaning and purpose in life. As we read, we see anguish and regret over failed attempts at happiness through wealth, fame, and achievement. Ultimately, he realizes that the purpose of humanity is to know God and enjoy what God has given us. Only God can provide the fulfillment for which our hearts and souls long.

At some point, we all end up asking the same questions: “Who am I?” “What was I made for?” Discover God’s purpose for every stage of your life.

Christians are different. They can’t help it. When you’re born again and filled with the Spirit, it changes you. This leads to different values about right and wrong and a different lifestyle to match it. This series of 5-day plans uses the 10 Commandments (following the classic Augustinian ordering) as a vehicle for an alternative, Christ-like morality and Jesus' way of living.

Our world tells us that we can find meaning and satisfaction in our work, relationships, success, and more. But in reality, all of those things ultimately fail us and let us down. Only Jesus can give our lives true purpose and provide us with the lasting joy, life, and satisfaction we so desperately crave.

In this five-day reading plan from Hannah Anderson, consider the wisdom of Ecclesiastes afresh as you search for a solid foundation for life under the sun. Discover how Ecclesiastes is more than self-help or good advice—it frees us to ask questions that Jesus Himself will eventually answer. Through its raw honesty and commitment to goodness, find hope in the One who guides all days under the sun.

Conventional wisdom tells us that freedom means gaining control. But Biblical Wisdom tells us that there’s freedom in the most unlikely circumstances—in losing ourselves, in letting go, in following rules, in slowing down, and in serving others. How can there be freedom in those? Discover the answer here.

In a world that can seem meaningless at times—especially in midlife—God offers perspective that anchors us, renews us, and propels us into fulfillment, mission, and service. Drawing on the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, HOPE International President Peter Greer and Willowdale Chapel Senior Pastor Greg Lafferty offer insight for fresh clarity and purpose.  This plan is based on 40/40 Vision by Peter Greer and Greg Lafferty. Learn more at www.ivpress.com/40-40-vision.

The way that we’ve done things for centuries has been unsettled and unseated. We’re living in a new normal. And while on the surface many of these changes look like the next best thing, there’s actually a complex and fragile web of lies holding it all together. In this devotional, Pastor Daniel Im reveals seven everyday lies that we believe and provides seven biblical truths about how we can respond.

The Bible begins with, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty.” But clearly, that was not a problem for God. He merely spoke and the emptiness was filled with life, beauty, and purpose. This gives us hope that God will do his best work in the emptiness of our own lives. Let’s pray and ask him to fill up our emptiness.

The Bible's all about the meaning of life. But in the middle of it is a book about the apparent meaninglessness of life. Did Solomon really think that life was completely meaningless? In the midst of everything that Solomon describes as meaningless in life, find out what true meaning is in life, even in these first two chapters in Ecclesiastes.

Have you ever misjudged a situation that appeared desirable but ended in disaster? We all face challenging, heartbreaking experiences that require us to make important decisions. Unlike worldly advice, God’s advice is perfect. Use biblical wisdom to improve your perception of the world. In these seven devotions, Dr. Wendy Patrick shows how we can apply His divine wisdom to live peacefully but proactively.

God created us to find meaning in our lives. But we live in a broken world where we’re continually frustrated in our search. So, what’s the point of living life? This is the question the Teacher in Ecclesiastes is asking. At first, the message of this wisdom book seems to lead to despair, but in fact points to the hope of life found in God alone.

Written by an elderly King Solomon, Ecclesiastes reflects on a life of meaningless pursuits. Solomon writes that the world's pursuits, from wealth to self-indulgence, are vain and unfulfilling. Ecclesiastes determines that God and his presence make life fulfilling, and true wisdom is to fear God and keep his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

The book of Ecclesiastes is not an easy part of the Bible – largely because it plumbs depths to our souls and experience that are not easy either. Strap in for an unflinching, possibly uncomfortable, but ultimately hopeful encounter with a very ancient and also very contemporary anguish about what it’s like to be human in God’s marvellous, broken world.

Ecclesiastes is tough to read! The author, Solomon, is deeply reflective and concludes that everything is meaningless. Interestingly, these words are still relatable three thousand years later. Is everything meaningless? Why is this book in the Bible? Study the book of Ecclesiastes with the Story Bible guide, exploring what it meant when it was first written and what it means to us today.

By the end of this study, we pray that you will know God’s voice better, that you will know when and how he speaks, and feel compelled to obey. As we study Scripture, we will discover that God’s plan cannot be thwarted regardless of who is in power. The point of the original monarchy found in 1 and 2 Samuel, illustrates that from the beginning.

In this Advent season, it is a meanigful time for us, as Gentile believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to ask ourselves: what is our identity? Are we rooted in the whole word of God – including the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments? Are we looking for the coming of the Messiah, the Light of the world (John 8:12), who will reign from Jerusalem 'in the midst of His people Jacob'? Join us for daily reflections this Advent as we prepare our hearts and look forward with anticipation. Author: Rev. Henk Poot, Christians for Israel

Based on the "The Stories We Tell: Real Women. Real Lives. Real Love" Church Edition.  This twenty-eight-day devotional experience has been created for you to, in effect, think more carefully about what you’re thinking—about who you are and why you’re here and the role God longs for you to play in impacting the world around you for good. Consider carving out ten or fifteen minutes each day for twenty-eight days, during your first waking hours, perhaps, or just before you close your day and head to bed. 

Daily Bible Reading is designed to facilitate consistent interaction with Scripture. It includes background information on each day’s Scripture passage, a key verse for meditation, reflection questions to help you dive deeper into Scripture, a prayer and prayer concern to help you connect to God and be of spiritual support to others. Journey with us this month as we explore the theme “God’s Word of Wisdom.”