Lesson Plan 12 – April 22, 2026

Lessons From The Book Of Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 12.

Welcome to Small Group Lesson Plan #12, as we continue with studies in the book of Ecclesiastes. Also, this is the last chapter in the book. We hope you have been blessed by the reading, discussions, and prayer. This will also be our final lesson for the season.

Summary Review of Chapter 11

In Chapter 11, Solomon advises us to diversify investments.

“Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
² Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

Eccl 11:1-2 NKJV

Reading the above verses in the NLT and NIV yields a clearer, more straightforward interpretation.

He warns the young who choose to follow their hearts and live as they want, reminding them that a day of judgment is coming.

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these
God will bring you into judgment.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Walk Through Chapter 12

In Chapter 12, Solomon begins with an admonition to remember God in the days of youth, while also shining a light on what every human being will experience if they live long enough: old age.

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them”:

Eccl. 12:1 NKJV

Remembering God in our youth has a lot of benefits:

• Laying a solid foundation in Christ
• Avoiding a life of compounded sinful living, and thereby hardening of the heart
• Receiving a vision from God at an early age, like David, Samuel, and Daniel
• A longer time and plenty of energy to serve God from your youth and throughout your life

He navigates life and summarizes with the whole duty of man being to worship our Maker. It is recorded that Solomon did his best to teach the people knowledge because he was wise. Today, we must continue to spread knowledge of God’s will, and even in matters concerning life generally, we must aspire to see and live through God’s eyes. The question on our minds should be “how does God see this?”

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
¹⁴ For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

Ecc. 12:13-14 NKJV

Scripture Study Guideline

Today’s Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes Chapter 12:1-14. Please read and discuss your findings.

What stood out to you? What do you think the Holy Spirit is speaking to you? Did any verse or set of verses jump out to you? Please discuss your thoughts, then proceed to the discussion questions below:

• If you are a youth or young adult, is God the center of your life? This question is applicable to us all as well (old and young). How can we make God the center of our lives? Read Prov. 3:5-6, Psalm 1:1-6, Colossians 3:23
• Solomon says the duty of man (human beings) in Verses 13-14 is to worship God. Why would you agree with this statement? And how must we begin to worship God? Read Eccl. 12:1, Psalm 106:19-21. Analyze and discuss the word “REMEMBER” in relation to worship. It’s the opposite of “FORGET.”
• Why does Solomon advise young people to remember God in their youth? (Review points above in the walk-through section and read Ecc. 12:6-7 in NLT

Let’s read the verse again:

Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed,
Or the golden bowl is broken,
Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain,
Or the wheel broken at the well.
⁷ Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Ecc. 12:6-7 NKJV

Conclusion

King Solomon, the preacher or teacher, as he is affectionately called in Ecclesiastes, ends where he began, describing everything in this world as vanity. The man who had seen it all, a large stash of gold in yearly income, received about 25 tons of gold each year, which is estimated to be worth approximately $1.42 billion today based on current gold prices. He had wealth, hundreds of wives, mirth, pleasure, great investments, luxury items, and so on, and he gave good advice. He closes off by telling anyone who will listen, after exclaiming vanity, what the duty of all human beings is – to worship our Maker.

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,“ All is vanity.” Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
¹⁴ For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:8, 12-14 NKJV

Those who worship God never forget Him. If we worship Him, we will remember Him as our Creator in our waking, walking, and working moments and in everything we do, “for in Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28

Prayer Time

• Give thanks to God for the small group season coming to a close
• Pray for JFC Outreach Month in June 2026. Ask the Lord to move many to participate in sharing the gospel, and to see results as new believers become part of God’s family.
• Pray for a swift resolution to the Iran war
• Ask the Lord for wisdom in your life, for our congregation, and for our church leaders.
• Pray for one another’s needs and any other matter.

Announcements

• Do you need prayer for deliverance from oppressive demonic manifestations in your life? Send a message to our JFC Text.
• What’s your giving plan like? Are you consistently giving of your finances to the Lord at JFC?
• Outreach Month June 1-30, 2026. Please get involved!