Life Under the Sun - Bible Study Book: The Unexpectedly Good News of Ecclesiastes

by Hannah Anderson

Turn. Turn. Turn. It often feels like life is spinning at a dizzying rate. All things ever seem to do is change. And just as soon as we get our footing, the ground shifts under us again. How can we keep our balance in such a disorienting world? Through this 8-session Bible study, Hannah Anderson invites us to consider the wisdom of Ecclesiastes afresh as we search for a solid foundation for life under the sun. Together, we’ll learn to name our anxieties, concerns, and disappointments. We’ll discover how Ecclesiastes is more than self-help or good advice—how it frees us to ask the questions that Jesus Himself will eventually answer. And through its raw honesty and unflinching commitment to goodness, we’ll find hope in the One who guides all days under the sun.       Benefits : 

Genres: Christian, Christian Living

208 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Hannah Anderson lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with her husband in and their three children. She is You can connect with her at her blog sometimesalight.com and on Twitter @sometimesalight.

Reviews

[Amy Kannel]

I would have enjoyed this much more if it had been a regular book/commentary on Ecclesiastes rather than a Bible study workbook. I fully acknowledge that may be much more a reflection of my personal style and preferences than of the quality of the study. But I gained far more from Hannah's extensive notes and reflections than from anything the questions drew out.

I will say, I was disappointed that it was arranged topically and skipped around so much. In fact it didn't even cover every passage in the book.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected gem. Divided into 8 chapters plus the introduction. Anderson didn't just refer to the literary structure of Ecclesiastes, but used it to form and direct the study. Multiple outside academic sources (versus writing a study based on one theologian's book). The study gave Scriptural context and comparison, as well as cultural context. I did not expect the impact of Ecclesiastes, particularly beyond the typical culture quotes.

[Katelyn Starrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this study overall! I liked the format of the study a lot and Ecclesiastes isn’t a book I had personally spent much time in so I’m glad to understand it a little better. I did feel some questions were worded vaguely or were confusing at times. And it was hard to draw some connections because the study jumps around in the book quite a bit (but so does the mindset of the author of Ecclesiastes so I guess that just comes with the book 😅).

[Alecia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time with this study. The structure felt super scattered (each week/chapter was a different topic in Ecclesiastes rather than a read through) and the questions were either way too straight forward or confusing. I love Hannah Anderson as an author, but not sure this study was her best. I did appreciate some of the commentary she included — maybe this would have been better it it were just her written commentary and not a Bible study with questions. 😬

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great study, loved the insights. It did throw me off a bit that it was arranged topically rather than going through from beginning to end. I recommend using the reading plan she lays out in the beginning, or take some time afterwards to read through Ecclesiastes.

[Nadiya Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.2
Hannah Anderson is well read in scripture understanding. I began this study as an aide to my time in Ecclesiastes this year. Struggled with feeling that the questions were directly aligned with scripture understanding than it was to aiding making inferences. My expectation in this study was to grow more in my understanding about the book of Ecclesiastes - I fear that expectation was not met. I appreciated her continual reference to Genesis 3 because often I relate to the Fall when interpreting the depravity and aimlessness of a pursuit of fulfillment "under the sun." Probably would have rated this higher if it only had her devotional thoughts without the questions.

I liked it. I would suggest reading it simply for the session on seeking goodness. Devotionals are a struggle for me anyway, so the "low" score of the rating could be a bias.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

“What is the purpose of life? How can we find meaning and joy? Does our work matter? Where is God in all this? These deeply human questions are not bound by specific time and place.
The same things we wrestle with today are the same things the Teacher wrestled with thousands of years ago. And by giving attention to the timeless wisdom of this ancient text, we might just discover how to navigate our present lives.”

“Despite the repetitive nature of life under the sun, we know we are heading toward something. We realize there is more to life than simply moving in circles.” Life is like a record player. A record on a turntable appears to be spinning, but it’s the needle that’s spiraling inward from edge of the record, unlocking music with every turn. We, too, find ourselves in the same place, facing the same challenges, asking the same questions, over and over again. But with each cycle, each season, each turn of the sun, God is drawing us to the Center: Himself.

If you’ve ever been tempted to think your work is meaningless, to wonder whether your sacrifices are in vain, to think that God has forgotten you, meet Jesus. “Like a grain of wheat, He laid His body into the ground, trusting that the Father would raise Him up again and bring life to the world. So too, when we're tempted to despair, to think that our work doesn't matter or that God has overlooked it, all we must do is remember the resurrection. God has already proven His faithfulness.”

If you’ve ever grappled with the limits of education, work, pleasure, community, justice, and time, if you’ve ever looked at the myriad facets through which we derive purpose–and all the ways we're disappointed–Hannah Anderson’s Life Under the Sun is for you. “No longer do we count on life under the sun to reward good and punish evil. No longer do we put confidence in our work or efforts to bring us goodness. No longer do we put our hope in youth or our own wisdom.” Instead of searching for significance in life under the sun, we find fulfillment in the Way, the Truth, and the Life beyond the sun: the Son of God, the Creator and Clockmaker who is beyond time itself. And in our trust, we find rest.

[Marisha Caballero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This study helped me regain perspective and it brought rest to my weary soul. I think we can all relate to the frustration of life feeling meaningless at times. But then we learn to find joy and purpose in fearing God and keeping his commandments. We learn to find complete rest in trusting our all-wise God with every day he gives us to live for him.

“Ultimately, for the Teacher, the secret to life under the sun was found in remembering what life can and can’t give us. Rest from hevel (vanity of life) comes from confessing our limits and remembering God’s limitlessness—including remembering our need of his limitless grace and mercy.” (pg. 205)

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, good content and insightful connections to the original Greek and Hebrew. Did not care for the topical approach, though I understand why Anderson formatted it this way. I personally prefer a chronological verse-by-verse approach. Still enjoyed working through this with my Bible study group!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is really detailed and has very in-depth questions. That being said, it really needs to be done in a group setting where these details can be discussed. It can get a bit overwhelming seeing the number of questions and different sections on your own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've never known what to make of the book of Ecclesiastes, this exceptional bible study will show you the hidden joy of life "under the sun."

[Bridget Mcgahen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I don't think this needed to be 8 weeks. And it was also pretty confusing how it was organized topically and jumping around a bunch

[KB *cursed with a freaking salmon patronus* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This study is annoying me fr. Like other reviewers, I wish this was just a companion/commentary rather than question based bible study.

The topical structure is killing me