September 5/6, 2015
READ
"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Genesis 2:15
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27
"Who is the head of the body and who reconciles all things . . . " Colossians 1:15-20
“Since then you have been raised with Christ.” Colossians 3:1
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12
“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 1 Colossians 3:17
CONSIDER & DISCUSS
In the western world, work is often our identity. The first question we usually ask when meeting someone is, "Where do you work? What do you do?" We can sometimes be snubbed if we don't answer that just right. Some work is perceived to be more important than other work. But is that true in God's eyes? As you think about life stories from the Bible, what sorts of occupations, if any, does God consider to be valuable?
WHY DO YOU WORK?
HOW SHOULD WE WORK?As members of Christ ...and in whom we have been raised.
WHERE SHOULD WE WORK?
Everywhere and in everything that does not conflict with our identity.
IS WORK YOUR IDENTITY?
IS WORK OVERSHADOWING YOUR LIFE?
DO YOU UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF GOD IN YOUR WORK OR YOUR "UNOFFICIAL" WORK?
NEXT STEPS
HELP EACH OTHER TO RE-IMAGINE YOUR WORK
· Gain God’s vision: Imagine how God feels about your work and how it touches the lives around you.
· Contextualize yourself in the Kingdom: Imagine how your work ties into the Kingdom work.
· Seek opportunities to bring life and healing: How can your work speak life into others? What can you do to make a difference in your family and your community?
HELP EACH OTHER TO RE-EVALUATE YOUR WORK
· Leave behind what is incompatible with your identity: Do you know who you really are? Who God designed you to be? (If you'd like to learn more, sign up for Discover Your Design on September 23 or October 28.) Are you living in the fullness of how God designed you? If not, you may need to make a big step to let go of the things that don't bring you life and joy.
· Pursue where God might be leading you: Do you feel God asking you to make a change? Do you need to take a step in faith? How might that be hard to do? How can you press into what God may be calling you to?
PRAY TOGETHER FOR YOUR WORK
God of heaven and earth, we pray for Your kingdom to come, for Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Teach us how to see our vocations and occupations as woven into Your work in the world this week. For mothers at home who care for children, for those whose labor forms our common life in this city, the nation and the world, for those who serve the marketplace of ideas and commerce, for those whose creative gifts nourish us all, for those whose callings take them into the academy, for those who long for employment that satisfies their souls and serves You, for each one we pray, asking for Your great mercy. Give us eyes to see that our work is holy to You, O Lord, even as our worship this day is holy to You. In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
