The Book of Ecclesiastes: Following God through the Bible-Understanding What Matters Most, by Stephanie Shott, AMG Publishers: Student/Study Guide Edition, 2011, 192 Pages, Ages 18 and Up, ISBN-13: 978-0899570242, $14.99
Shott’s debut interactive, verse-by-verse Bible study chronicles the life of Solomon from the “often misunderstood book of Ecclesiastes.” Her insightful work equips readers to understand why Israel’s first King made such wrong choices after God fulfilled Solomon’s request for wisdom instead of wealth or long life, although those blessings were granted too.
In the first chapter Shott provides a historical overview of how and why Solomon came to power. The following six week study contains five lessons per week with one memory verse, daily Scripture reading and questions that encourage readers to apply principles learned. Section titles include:
· Life Lessons from History
· From Vanity to Victory
· Days of our Lives
· The Serious side of Life
· Having a Proper Perspective
· Our Heavenly Sieve
The study is primarily for women, but would also be excellent for high-school students with its “clear picture of how empty the pursuits of this life can be…how important it is to live each day with eternity in view!”
“It’s kind of a ‘Been there, done that, seen that…you don’t want to go there,’ kind of story,” writes Shott.
Readers learn, Solomon’s writings, the result of “…his own personal experiences, observations and failures” are filled with gems of wisdom from a man who lived over three thousand years ago.
Shott used the New King James Version of the Bible (NKJV) and New American Standard (NASB) unless otherwise noted with a notes section that completes the Bible Study.
While previewing this Bible study I was impressed with the thought on the back cover, “Times may have changed, but the heart of man has not!” I encourage readers to consider this Following God Through the Bible for group or personal use. For more information:http://www.stephanieshott.com
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