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 one, Pastor Chip taught how you view work, how you do work, and what motivates you to do work is the key to seeing your work as ministry, regardless of your occupation or job description.

Discussion

1. Before hearing from Pastor Chip, would you have viewed your work – whether it’s manual labor, caring for family, working retail, or creating spreadsheets – as ministry? Or as separate worlds in the secular/sacred divide we tend to create? Why?

2. God joyfully works and created work as a gift to us. Revisit and read Genesis 2:1-3 & 2:15-20. Even if it’s difficult due to sin in our world, do you see your work as a gift right now? What’s most likely to rob this perspective from you? What do you need to help protect this truth in your life day-to-day?

3. God gave us work as a way to serve him and others. Revisit and read Colossians 3:23-24. Doing your work with excellence is an act of worship (an offering to God) when we use the gifts and talents he’s given us. What unique strengths of yours can you identify (or others have identified in you) that you know have the opportunity to benefit your workplace and the people in it? If you have any stories, share them with your group.

4. Our work is ministry when we work from a transformed heart. You will not have a meaningful life without work, but you cannot make work the ultimate meaning of your life. Read that sentence again. Is God’s love and acceptance of you through Jesus the ultimate meaning of your life right now? Or do you find yourself working for the praise of others? What’s at risk if you define your identity through your work?