Series: Thank God It’s Monday
Final part of our ‘Thank God it’s Monday’ series this weekend! We are privileged to have Pastor Jeffrey Rachmat from Jakarta Praise Community Church speaking with us at service.
BEYOND THE DAILY GRIND
Text: Ephesians 6:5-9
Series: Thank God It’s Monday
Before we are employees or employers in the marketplace, we are servants and followers of Christ. What kind of workers should we be, knowing that Jesus is our ultimate boss?
Discussion Guide
1) Work For the Audience of One (vv5-6)
Every adult comes under some form of authority at work. And to a large extent, the state of our work life is affected by the type of bosses we have. Were there any difficult situations you faced due to the demands of your immediate superiors? Share some of your personal stories. What are some typical behaviours subordinates tend to exhibit towards difficult bosses?
Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23 to work with all our heart in whatever we do, because ultimately we are working for the Lord, the audience of One. Since Jesus is our ultimate boss, what difference should it make in our attitude towards work? How will this translate to our behaviours at work? One way to work for the audience of One is to respect the authority placed over us by God. Reflect upon our own attitude towards the bosses over us. Is there proper respect? Does it reflect our desire to obey God? Discuss how we can grow in this aspect.
While we want to worship God through our work, we want to be mindful that we do not end up worshipping our work. What are some possible signs that reflect the latter? What are some safeguards we can put in place in order to not fall into this?
2) Know That What We Do Matters to God (vv7-8)
Share some instances at work where you encountered either injustice due to your boss’s decisions, or felt small / insignificant due to your boss’s response towards you. How did you feel during these moments? To what extent did these affect your attitude towards your work? How did you resolve these feelings and thoughts eventually?
What does Bible say in response to times where our work may not be appreciated by our earthly bosses? What is the right attitude to adopt in such situations? Our work is a gift from God, and how we treat it matters to God. How well have I been stewarding this gift so far? Think of how we can grow to be better stewards, and share to one another.
3) Seek the Good of Those We Work With (v9)
Most of us work within hierarchies, interacting with people of different job scopes and responsibilities daily. If we are not careful, it might be easy to naturally equate work position with a person’s value and dignity. As a Christian, what is the basis for us to see every person as equal? If there is no such thing as an unimportant person in God’s eyes, how should we be treating the people around us at work? What are some obstacles that make it challenging for us to seek the good of those we work with? What motivates us to love difficult people at work? How can we look out for their interests even if we experience conflicts or misunderstandings with them?
Would we describe ourselves as more task-oriented or people-oriented? Share some instances at work that shows our tendency towards either. How has being task-oriented / people-oriented at work been beneficial for those around us? Reflect on recent situations at work. Were there any instances where our tendencies led to strained relationships or hurt feelings? What did we learn from those experiences? Share with the LG. Identify 1-2 areas that we can grow in, in terms of our attitude and behaviour at work, so that we can glorify God and be a bigger blessing to the people around us. What steps are we taking to grow in these areas?
Reflection Questions
1) Work For the Audience of One (vv5-6)
Since Jesus is our ultimate boss, what difference should it make in our attitude towards work? How will this translate to our behaviours at work?
2) Know That What We Do Matters to God (vv7-8)
What does Bible say in response to times where our work may not be appreciated by our earthly bosses? What is the right attitude to adopt in such situations?
3) Seek the Good of Those We Work With (v9)
As a Christian, what is the basis for us to see every person as equal? If there is no such thing as an unimportant person in God’s eyes, how should we be treating the people around us at work? What motivates us to love difficult people at work?
BACK TO THE ORIGIN
Text: Genesis 2:4-20
Series: Thank God It’s Monday
Discussion Guide
1) Work is a Gift from God (vv. 4-15)
Many do not see work as a gift from God. Why do you think this is so? What are most people’s view of work? The fact that God included man in his work at the beginning of the world shows that work is a privilege and grace that man doesn’t deserve. Put yourself in Adam’s shoes – how do you think you would feel, knowing that the Creator entrusts to you his precious creation to care for it? God graciously provided everything Adam needed to do his work well. How has God provided for you so that you could do your work well? Reflect carefully on your work for the past week – do you see traces of God’s grace at your workplace? What are they? Since work is a gift from God, how should we approach the gift as a way to thank and honour the Giver? Some of us enjoy our work, perhaps to the extent of loving it so much that we work at the expense of our relationship with God. How does seeing work as a gift from God prevent us from prizing it over the Giver? What are some safeguards we need to establish so that our work, while a good thing, does not become our idol and become the centre of our lives?
2) Work is to be Done in God’s Way (vv. 16-17)
Do you think that some Christians may have the idea that “God is only present in the church building but not at the office”? What is wrong with that view? What happens if Christians separate their work life from their worship life? If we really believe that God is present at our workplace and cares about our work, why is it important to do our work God’s way? In the garden of Eden, God gave Adam freedom and yet He also set boundaries. Why do you think God sets boundaries for our work? Why do you think some people cross the line at times? What are some common temptations people face at work? In a hostile work environment, it can be challenging to do work God’s way when we face much pressure to do otherwise. How can Christians stand firm? What are some ways we can find encouragement or support to honour God at our work? Knowing how to do work God’s way can be complex with ethical dilemmas and tricky politics. What are some ways we can grow in wisdom at work?
3) Work is Meant to be a Partnership with God (vv. 5, 19-20)
When God created Adam, work is meant to be enjoyed in the garden of Eden together with God. Our relationship with God steers our view of work and our conduct at the workplace. What are some attitudes or behaviour a Christian who is walking right with God would exhibit at work? Which attitude would you want to grow in? It is God, not our work, who gives us our worth and purpose. What are some simple spiritual habits we can practise from now on to be more aware of God’s partnership in our workplace? How can we better partner with God at work?
Reflection Questions
1) Work is a Gift from God (vv. 4-15)
Since work is a gift from God, how should we approach the gift as a way to thank and honour the Giver? How does seeing work as a gift from God prevent us from prizing it over the Giver?
2) Work is to be Done in God’s Way (vv. 16-17)
If we really believe that God is present at our workplace and cares about our work, why is it important to do our work God’s way? In a hostile work environment, it can be challenging to do work God’s way when we face much pressure to do otherwise. How can Christians stand firm?
3) Work is Meant to be a Partnership with God (vv. 5, 19-20)
What are some attitudes or behaviour a Christian who is walking right with God would exhibit at work? What are some simple spiritual habits we can practise from now on to be more aware of God’s partnership in our workplace?
