The Mayfield Class

Reflection Questions

1. What was something from the creation story that stuck out to you? Why? 
2. How do you see the Gospel, the good news of Jesus, in Genesis 1? 
3. How does the structure of Genesis 1, three days of forming and three days of filling, shape the way we understand God’s intentionality in creation?
4. How does the fact that light exists before the sun deepen your understanding of God as the true source of light and life?
5. What does it mean that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God, and how does that shape the way we view ourselves and others?
6. What does the rhythm of evening and morning teach us about the gospel pattern of moving from darkness to light?

Reflection Questions

1. What stuck out to you about either the context of Genesis or the opening two verses? Why? 
2. How does understanding the wilderness (Exodus) context of when Genesis was written help us to read Genesis with fresh eyes?  
3. Why is it significant that “God” (Elohim) is plural in verse 1, while “created” is singular? 
4. How does knowing your origin story in Genesis shape your identity as a follower of Jesus? Aka, how does Genesis prepare us to “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called?” (Eph 4:1)
5. How does Genesis 1:1-2 motivate us to share the gospel with others? How does it help you engage friends who believe in naturalism, materialism, or secular origin stories of creation? 

Reflection Questions

1. Solomon’s final word is “Fear God and keep His commandments.” What is one step, in light of this passage and this book, you could take this week to live that out more intentionally?

2. What does it mean to “approach God’s Word with great care”? (12:9)  How does that challenge the way you’ve read Scripture this past year?

3. Solomon says the words of the wise are like “goads” and “nails firmly fixed.” (12:11) Can you share a time when Scripture prodded you back to God or anchored you in truth?

4. Why do you think Solomon warns against relying too heavily on “many books”? (12:12) How can we keep resources like podcasts or devotionals in their proper place?

5. Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is a vapor. How should that truth shape our priorities in 2026?

Reflection Questions

1. In light of all we have read in Ecclesiastes, what does it mean to live “worthy of the calling” God has given us, and how can remembering future accountability before God motivate us to live faithfully today?

2. Why is laziness such a danger to our spiritual lives, not just our work lives? (Ecc 11:1-6)

3. Solomon says life is sweet and we should rejoice in our days. What does it look like to enjoy life in a way that honors God, and why is it tempting to think we can “get serious about God later” instead of now? (11:7-10)

4. How does his vivid description of aging and death serve as a warning and reminder for us today? (12:1-8)

Reflection Questions

1. How does Solomon’s reminder that death comes to all (9:2–3) challenge the way we view our daily lives?

2 Which of Solomon’s points on enjoying God’s blessing (9:7-10) resonated with you and why? Daily provisions, spouse, or work. 

3. Solomon reminds us that even wise people are quickly forgotten (9:15). How does this truth redirect us to live for Christ rather than human recognition?

4. Why is it so easy to waste life on distractions (social media, entertainment, trivial pursuits)? How can we guard against becoming “trivial” ourselves?

5. How do our words reveal whether we are wise or foolish (10:12–15)? What practical steps can we take to use our words to build up rather than tear down?

Reflection Questions

1. How do verses 5–6 remind us that wisdom involves knowing the right time and the right way to respond? What does this look like practically in our workplaces, churches, or communities?

2. How does acknowledging our limits (vv. 7–8) help us avoid rebellion and instead trust God’s sovereignty over authority, justice, and death?

3. How can we teach our children to respect authority in the home so that they learn to respect authority outside the home?

4. Why does Solomon command joy in the midst of confusion and injustice? How does gratitude help us resist the temptation to dwell on the past or worry about the future? (vs 14-15)

5. How can we encourage one another to rest in God’s sovereignty when life doesn’t make sense? (vs 16-17)

Reflection Questions: 

1. How does impatience reveal pride in our hearts? Can you think of a recent situation where impatience led to anger? (Ecc 7:7-12)

2. How might reflecting on God’s sovereignty, “consider the words of God,” change the way you approach your devotional life? How are you doing that, or what steps can you take to start doing that? (7:13-14)

3. Avoiding Extremes (7:15-18)

   A. What does it mean to be “overly righteous”? How might legalism or pride masquerade as righteousness in our lives?

   B. Why is it dangerous to let sin discourage us into a downward spiral? How does fearing God keep us balanced?

4. Why does Solomon describe sexual sin as “more bitter than death”? How does this warning speak to you and our culture today? (7:26)

Reflection Questions

1. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting.” Why might sorrow be more spiritually impactful than celebrations? How does this align with the gospel?

2. In 6:1–6, Solomon describes someone who has everything but cannot enjoy it. What does this teach us about the difference between having blessings and receiving them with joy? What is the key to joy in life? (see Ecc 5:18-20)

3. Ecclesiastes 5:1 says, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.” What does it mean to “guard your steps” in worship? How does this potentially challenge your approach to church and devotional time? 

Reflection Questions

1. How does the reality of injustice (vs 1-3) deepen your longing for Christ’s return and His perfect justice?

2. Solomon warns against both envy-driven toil and lazy disengagement (vs 4-5). Where do you tend to lean, toward overwork or underwork?

3. What does “one handful of quietness” (vs 6) look like in your current season of life? How can you pursue gospel-centered balance?

4. Solomon says in verse 10, “Woe to him who is alone when he falls.” What relationships are you growing, or what steps can you take to start growing relationships, to ensure you’re not walking alone? 

5. What does Solomon’s story in verses 13-16 of the forgotten kings teach us about the fleeting nature of fame and influence?

Reflection Questions

1. In light of verses 1-8, how does acknowledging that time is in God’s hands, not ours, change the way you approach your daily decisions?

2. Verse 11 says God has “put eternity into man’s heart.” How do you see that longing for eternity show up in your own life?

3. Solomon says there’s “nothing better” than to be joyful and do good (vs 12-13, 22). What does joyful obedience look like in your current season? What ordinary routines in your life might be more spiritually significant than you’ve realized?

4. How does knowing that God is sovereign over time (vs 14-17) lead you to fear Him rightly?

5. How does this passage point you to Jesus as the only source of lasting meaning, hope, and eternal life?