Truth Rocks 2
Adult Small Group Bible study (Scripture interface)
using “Classic Rock” tunes and lyrics from the ‘60s,
‘70s, and ‘80s
Lesson 4a – Theme: Tick…Tock…My Timing; God’s Timing
Tune: Turn, Turn, Turn by The Byrds
Explanatory notes from Wikipedia
"Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season)", often abbreviated to "Turn! Turn!
Turn!" is a song adapted entirely from the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible (with the
exception of the last line) and put to music by Pete Seeger in 1959. Seeger waited until
1962 to record his own version of it, releasing the song on his The Bitter and the Sweet
album on Columbia Records.
The song became an international hit in late 1965 when it was covered by the American
folk rock band The Byrds, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #26 on the UK
Singles Chart. Many biblical scholars believe that Ecclesiastes 1:1 implies King
Solomon (born c. 1011 BC) as the book's author, but regardless of its precise origins,
The Byrds' version of the song easily holds the record for the number 1 hit with the
oldest lyrics.
(Words-adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes. Music-Pete Seeger)
To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to build up,a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
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To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late
Scripture Interface: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV
1. Solomon begins this chapter with a thesis. By the wording he uses, the careful Bible
student will discover that Solomon makes no values judgment on what follows in vs.
2-8. In each set of opposite items listed in vs. 2-8, every item is legitimate and has
an appropriate time assigned to it. Looking over vs. 2-8, do any of these items
surprise you? Why/why not?
2a. Solomon’s father, King David, under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, wrote Psalm
139:15-16. Similarly, St. Paul was inspired by God in Acts 17:26 to teach the men of
Athens that God had determined when as well as where people will live. How does
knowing this impact your life?
2b. This passage sounds like farming or gardening, but how might it apply to such
things as these:
Habits?
Business decisions?
Church ministries?
3a. The word “kill” in the NIV and other translations seems disturbing, but the Hebrew
word used here (as also in the 5th Commandment) is best translated “slay.” Read
Genesis 9:6 and Romans 13:1-5. When is it permissible to take a human life? A
popular slogan these days goes something like this: US military members don’t fight
because they hate what’s in front of them; they fight because they love what’s behind
them. What is your understanding about taking human life in the following
circumstances:
Self-defense?
Capital punishment?
War?
On what principles do you base your understanding? Have your views changed over the
years? What changed them?
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Is there ever not “a time to heal?” If so, when might that be? (For insight see Matthew
15:21-28).
3b. Compare this passage with Luke 12:16-21. What are the lessons we must learn
from Solomon and from Jesus?
4a & b. Compare this verse with Romans 12:15. Which do you find easier: To rejoice
with those who rejoice, or to weep (mourn) with those who weep (mourn)? Why?
5a. Scatter stones??? Read 2 Kings 3:25 and Matthew 24:1-2. How does this unusual
image relate to what we discussed about war in question 3a above? Gather stones???
Read Nehemiah 4:1-3 and 1 Peter 2:5. Think of gathering stones both literally and
figuratively. When is it good to gather stones?
5b. “Embrace” could mean “hug,” in which case there are sexual boundaries implied.
But “embrace” can also mean “accept” or “endorse,” such as an idea or philosophy.
What ideas or philosophies ought we to embrace, and which ones should we refrain
from embracing? Why?
6a. Several “searches” in the Bible are described as necessary, such as the search for
the lost coin, lost sheep, and lost (prodigal) son in Luke 15, which all point to Jesus as
the One who comes to seek and save the lost. But Jesus describes a kind of searching
in Matthew 23:15 that should be given up. Why?
6b. “Keep” can also mean “obey,” as in Luke 11:28. To “throw away” (or “throw off”) can
be a great blessing according to Hebrews 12:1. Share one Christian discipline that you
want to “keep” or obey or develop more fully; and one sin you desire more than any
other to throw off. Explain your reasons.
7a. In a bitter twist of irony, one of Solomon’s own trusted officials, Jeroboam, was told
by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:28-33) that God was about to “tear the kingdom out
of Solomon’s hand” because of his disobedience. But the most important tearing
recorded in Scripture was also the greatest act of mending, Matthew 27:50-51. How
was this tearing also a form of mending?
7b. How does Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 26:4-5 apply to this passage? How can
you know when it’s better to speak or to be silent?
8a. Hate??? Is there really a time to hate? Read Psalm 97:10. Answer these questions
thoughtfully: How much do you hate evil? How is this evident?
8b. Since we’ve already discussed war (in 3a above), let’s focus on the “inner” war
described in 2 Timothy 4:7. Describe a time when you were more eager to fight the war
against evil “out there” than “in here” (in your heart). How would fighting the “inner” war
impact the “outer” war?
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