1. A Season for Everything (2) Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

2. Having searched for meaning:
Solomon has begun making observations about life
These verses perhaps some of the most well known in this book – songs about it, used at funerals, etc.
In our last lesson, we began to notice there is a time for everything. Today, we will conclude this section

3. To everything there is a season and a time (3:1)
About the text
To everything there is a season and a time (3:1)
A season – a designated time (that is limited, comes and goes, and is somewhat identifiable)
A time – means times when one choice is wise, and other times when the opposite is the right thing to do
We need to THINK!
This gives life some variety

4. A time to give birth and a time to die
A time to plant and to pluck up what is planted
A time to kill and a time to heal
A time to break down and a time to build up
A time to weep and a time to laugh
A time to mourn and a time to dance

5. A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones (3:5)
A time to accumulate things, and a time to throw them away – consider clutter

6. A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones (3:5)
Spiritually: Will we build upon what we have (cf. 2 Peter 1:5-7, 3:18)
Will we change if we see the need? Adapt – different methods? Will we gather for our “spiritual library”? Prepare to answer the latest attacks? (Ephesians 4:14-16, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

7. A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing (3:5)
There are times when affection is appropriate and other times when it is not. E.g. the marital relationship, dating (1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22), even among friends) The “holy kiss” – Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:10, etc.

8. A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing (3:5)
Spiritually: Fellowship A time for it – Acts 2:42, Philippians 2:1, 1 John 1:3-6; A time to avoid it – Ephesians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 10:20, 2 Corinthians 6:14

9. A time to gain and a time to lose (3:6)
NASB, “A time to search, and a time to give up as lost” Times where we keep looking, and other times where we move on.
Spiritually: The lost coin and sheep – Luke 15:1-10 Move on – Matthew 7:6, Philippians 3:13

10. A time to keep and a time to throw away (3:6)
Repetitious to ideas already discussed
Spiritually: Things we ought to keep – John 8:51- Keep His word; 2 Timothy 4:7 – Keep the faith; John 14:15, 1 Corinthians 7:19 – Keep the commandments; 1 Timothy 5:22, 1 John 5:18 – Keep yourself

11. A time to keep and a time to throw away (3:6)
Spiritually: There are things we ought to give up – Matthew 6:19-21 – treasures on earth Philippians 3:7-8 – Paul’s example

12. A time to tear and a time to sew (3:7)
Similar to gathering and casting away.
Spiritually: Consider mourning – tearing the clothes (cf. Ezra 9:3, Job 1:20, Genesis 37:29, 34, etc.). Repentance – 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 2 Corinthians 7:11, Luke 18:13 But at the end of that time of mourning, mend it and move forward

13. A time to keep silence and a time to speak (3:7)
We must guard our tongues – what we say and WHEN to say it. Sometimes silence is best! Proverbs 10:19, Cf. Job 2:13

14. A time to keep silence and a time to speak (3:7)
Spiritually: We control our tongues. James 1:19
AT times we need to speak up – Psalm 39:1-3, Acts 17:16-17,
Speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silent (Silence is NOT consent)

15. A time to love and a time to hate (3:8)
There are things we ought to love, and others we ought to despise. How often does the world mix these up?
Spiritually: We should love – Matthew 22:37-39 – God, neighbors, 1 John 4:7 – one another, Matthew 5: enemies We should hate – Romans 12:9, 1 John 2:15-17, etc.

16. A time for war and a time for peace (3:8)
This is inevitable in life. There will be conflicts that need to be resolved. Not always pleasant or easy. BUT, our pursuit should be peace
Spiritually: We are at war – Ephesians 6:10-13, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 1 Timothy 1:18
But we pursue peace – Matthew 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:13, Colossians 3:15, Romans 14:19, etc.

17. Is our timing in tune with God’s timing?