Ecclesiastes 4.1-6.12; 2 Corinthians 6.14-7.7; Psalm 47.1-9; Proverbs 22.16

People who study these things tell us that people today feel more alone than any other time in history. While there may be many causes for this, the result of this loneliness may need to be our focus. The writer of the Ecclesiastes reminds us going at it alone can be dangerous, not to mention more difficult. Who have you surrounded yourself with who make up a part of your three-stranded cord?

Questions:

Have you ever felt like the world is in such poor shape that it would have been better to have not been born? How do we address this feeling of despair?

What reasons does Paul gives–or do you presume he thinks–as to why one should not team up with an unbeliever?

What has God done that makes you want to applaud him?

Would you agree that those who oppose the poor today end up in poverty? Why or why not?