Week 697 · Old Testament · about 3 minutes · 272 words
📖 Ecclesiastes 2
Ecclesiastes 2 opens with these words: “I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure”; and behold, this also was vanity.” The line to keep is Ecclesiastes 2:1: “I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure”; and behold, this also was vanity.” Carry the word “heart” from that verse into the rest of the day.
Ecclesiastes 2 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure”; and behold, this also was vanity.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness—and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.” Ecclesiastes 2 opens with these words: “I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure”; and behold, this also was vanity.” The line to keep is Ecclesiastes 2:1: “I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure”; and behold, this also was vanity.” Carry the word “heart” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Ecclesiastes 2:1: “I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure”; and behold, this also was vanity.” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Ecclesiastes 2? Then try this: Read “I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure”; and behold, this also…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
“I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure”; and behold, this also was vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 2:1 · Ecclesiastes 2
Say it
Practice Ecclesiastes 2:1
Tap the words in order. The blanks follow the verse from left to right.
Iinmyheart,“Comenow,Iwilltestyouwithmirth:thereforeandbehold,thisalsowasvanity.
Talk about it
- What happens first in Ecclesiastes 2?
- Read “I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure”; and behold, this also…” once more. What does it show you about God?
- Who can you tell one sentence from Ecclesiastes 2 before bedtime?
Prayer
Father, thank you for Ecclesiastes 2. Help us remember Ecclesiastes 2:1 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.
Parent tip
If Ecclesiastes 2 is long, read Ecclesiastes 2:1 twice and ask one of the talk-about questions. The chapter page has every verse if you want more tomorrow.
Week 697 · the whole night
📖 Ecclesiastes 2
Story, coloring page, word search, and the verse to trace.
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