Introduction

You might be surprised by this, but God has plans for your work. No matter where you work or what it is you do, you can serve God through your career and in your workplace. In week three, Pastor Jesse taught what “culture” means at work and how we can navigate its influence on us and our influence upon it.

Discussion

1. When you hear the term "workplace culture," what immediate thoughts or emotions come to mind? Have you ever experienced a particularly positive or negative workplace culture? Share your story and what contributed most to that culture.

2. H. Richard Niebuhr, author of Christ and Culture, provides several potential approaches in responding to culture. Then Pastor Jesse provided several workplace hypotheticals to apply those approaches to. Talk about your engagement with these and the kind of culture your choices might create.

3. Revisit and read Deuteronomy 6:3-8. If you aren’t intentional about spending regular time with God, especially in his Word, you’ll inevitably be influenced by everything else. Talk about how your time in the Bible, or lack of it, has impacted your experience with work in the past. What does that help inform about your future?

4. Revisit and read James 1:5-8; 16-17. It isn’t always easy to know how to respond to the culture of your workplace, and God is capable of giving you the wisdom you need. Do you approach God as if he can actually give you what you need? How often are you praying big prayers – with big expectations – these days?

5. Spend some time walking through and talking about the application points below. Where can you start practicing these starting this week? What’s going to get in the way?

Application

Immerse yourself in the culture of God’s Word (Deuteronomy 6:3-8). This is something God doesn’t want from us, but for us. He’s inviting us to give him enough space for his work to make it into our hearts. Set intentional time to read the Bible with God.

Make big asks of God – especially for wisdom (James 1:5-8; 16-17). Remember, God can provide you with what you need. Pray and ask him for wisdom confidently, boldly, and regularly.

Plant small seeds. Small seeds yield big results (Matthew 13:31-32). Small acts of consistent faith matter. Don’t get overwhelmed and trust God will use every step of obedience.

Remember that you’re part of a bigger story (Matthew 4:19). As a follower of Jesus you still have work to do, but its now a part of a bigger mission – God’s story and plan – you belong to. Because God is sovereign, your coworkers aren’t accidents or coincidences. And because God is generous, he can give you everything you need to see to effectively navigate and influence the culture you’re in.