Finding Joy @ Work

Becoming a Steward of the Resources Entrusted to You

Monday, November 20                            Luke 12:42-49

If you had to state the theme of this passage, what would it be? What is the job of the wise manager? If the job is done well, what is the reward (see v. 44). Is this what you would expect as a reward? Why or why not?

What is the result of a bad manager's lack of responsibility? What are the abuses? Where do you see the truth of this in our day and age? When have you been tempted to treat your work this way? How does mismanagement take away joy? How does wise management increase joy?

Tuesday, November 21       Matthew 25:14-26  

This is a similar line of story to yesterday's passage. Why do you think Jesus told stories with this theme-what's the message? How do you reconcile this with a loving God?

What do all three servants have in common? How are we like the servants in this regard? In what areas of your life-the things that God has given you-do you feel like you have been faithful enough to receive the "well done, good and faithful servant" greeting? In what areas do you need to grow?

Wednesday,  November 22                     Deuteronomy 8:17-18

In what ways are you tempted to say, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me?" How does verse 18 challenge that notion? How are you challenged by it?

If it is true that God is the source of even our ability to produce wealth, how does that impact how you view your job? The money you earn? Who's money is it, and how should that impact what you do with it? Does it?

Thursday,  November 23                   Exodus 20:8, 23:12

What is the Sabbath? What is the point of it? How have we, in America, lost the idea and practice of the Sabbath? Why do you think its so important that God would put it in His top 10? What does this have to do with joy at work?

Jesus said that man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for man. What do you think He meant? In our culture, we have changed the meaning of Sabbath as a day of recreation. That's only part of it. The other part was to connect with God. How are you doing at connecting with God in a Sabbath sort of way? Is that a choice? If it is on God's priority list, what difference do you think it would make in your life? Your work?

Friday,  November 24     Luke 12: 49

This is the final line in the story from Monday. How would you put this in your own words? What do you think it means? Where do you fall in the scheme of things-have you been given much? Have you been entrusted with even more? What is the challenge, then?

Its Not About ME - Serving as the Route to Joy

Monday, November 13                            Philippians 2:4-10

Why do you think Paul is so intent on setting Christians toward this idea of looking to the interests of others? How different would your workplace look if this were a value carried out by you and your fellow employees? What about if it were just you?

What was the attitude of Christ Jesus that Paul is so focused on? Read Hebrews 12:1-3. What does this passage say about the model for Christians to follow? How can this kind of attitude contribute to your work experience?

Tuesday, November 14   Acts 20:35

What do you think is the point of this passage? What work is Paul speaking of here - secular or religious? How does that context change the passage?

How have you experienced the truth of Jesus' teaching in this passage? Spend some time today praying that God would create in you a heart that actually prefers to give, especially in your work relationships.

Wednesday,  November 15               John 13:12-17

When you read this passage, and think about really taking it seriously, what emotions come to mind? Why? What is the attitude necessary for living out this kind of lifestyle?

How are you at serving the people around you? At home? At work? In your relationships? What is the most challenging part of this teaching from Jesus? Why? In what ways can you practically implement this at your work?

Thursday,  November 16       1 Peter 4:7-11

Where do you find yourself naturally using your gifts for others? How are they blessed when you do so? Spend some time today thanking God for the gifts he's given you, and for the people he has put in your life to serve.

What is the reason, according to this passage, for this posture of service? How often do you think of the ways that you can serve in this light? How is this a shift in the way you normally think about your work?

Friday,  November 17                   Leviticus 25:14-17     

What is the context of this passage? What is the point of this kind of "rule" for dealing with others? Why do you think this matters so much to God?

Take some time to journal about your work. In what relationships/areas are you honoring this command? In what ways are you not? How can you begin to reconcile your work life to mirror this?

Developing Character & Values That Promote Satisfaction

Monday, November 6                      Matthew 5:1-3

What do you think it means to be "poor in spirit?" With all the beatitudes, there is a value that is associated with them. What is the value or character trait of someone who is poor in spirit? What is the promise associated with this beatitude? What does that mean for you here and now?

If you consider the value you listed above, how could that value lived out in your life impact your work? (If you're having trouble, consider being poor in spirit as interdependence on God and the people around you, not a prideful Lone Ranger-type worker). Why do you think this is important to Jesus?

Tuesday, November 7         Matthew 5:4-5

What does it mean to be one who mourns for others? What is the value associated with someone who mourns for other people? How could this value play our in your work life? How could it impact your relationships at work?

Consider the word meek. Americans do not like the word meek. What do you think is the value associated with meekness? How can this value be of value in your work environment? Why is this important to God?

Wednesday,  November 8                 Matthew 5:6

What is the value associated with hungering and thirsting for righteousness. What does it mean to be a person who does this, in regular terms? Of what value is this to a company? Of what value is it personally, if you are a person who hungers for what is right?

How are you at living with this kind of integrity? How would you rate yourself? Pray that God would help you grow in your desire to live this way.

Thursday,  November 9       Matthew 5:7-8

What are the values associated with these two passages? How could these impact what you do from 9 to 5? Who do you know who displays the values associated with these two beatitudes? What is your opinion of that person?

Is there a connection between these two beatitudes? Why or why not? How would you define any differences? Why are these values important to God?

Friday,  November 10                   Matthew 5:9-10

What do these two verses have to do with each other? Have you every felt persecuted for doing what you knew was right? How did you react? What are the character traits you associate with someone who lives this out?

What does it mean to be a peacemaker? Why are they called "sons of God?"

Finding and Utilizing Your Gifts and Talents

Monday, October 30                                               Psalm 139:13-16

If it's true that God uniquely knit you together, than you are everything you were intended to be - or at least have that potential. Who is it that God created you to be (what are your attributes)? Take some time to give thanks to God for the way He created you.

If all our days are ordained for us before even one day came to be (vs16), how do we become the people we are? Is it predetermined or more like a multiple choice? Does this mean God had a specific job in mind for you from the beginning?

Tuesday, October 31         Ephesians 2:10

Workmanship here translates as ‘work of art'.  How does that phrase change the thought-you are the artwork of God? What is it we are created for? Who determines this purpose for us and when was it defined?

What is the best way to find out what God has planned for you? Do you ever view your work as a gift from God? Why or why not? Have you ever had a job that seemed to be a perfect fit for you? When and why?

Wednesday,  November 1   Romans 12:3-8

What is the warning given here? How are we to think of ourselves? What basis are we to use for this self reflection and who do we get it from? Why do you think God introduces this basis for comparison just before talking about gifts and talents? How are you at being sober in your judgments, especially of yourself?

List the seven gifts delineated here. Why are there all these different gifts? Which ones do you use in your job? Can you identify these gifts in the people you work with? (a practical, workable definition for prophesy is someone who speaks the truth to a situation; the Biblical context involves a high level of spiritual insight from God.)   

Thursday,  November 2         Exodus 35:30-36:1

What does this passage say about the skills of Bezalel? What are his skills and talents? List the top five things you're good at when it comes to your work. Have you ever thought about your gifts so specifically as from the Lord?

It's easy to think of the "talents" that we possess as just that - our talents. How does it change things when you consider that God specifically gave you the abilities you have? How does it inform how you perform your job?

Friday,  November 3                              Psalm 139:13-16

How does your job make you rely on some of the skills that God has created in you? What areas are you developing? How does working in these skills help you feel joyful and satisfied in your work?

Spend some time meditating on this passage. Ask God to speak to you about who you are and who He created you to be.

Finding Your Calling and God's Purpose @Work

Monday, October 23                 Genesis 1:27-31         

What is the job description given to Adam and Eve? How does what you do on a daily basis fulfill this command?

This passage is commonly used by Christians to help understand their role in the workplace-as stewards of God's creation. When you think about your work and your life that way, how are you doing as a steward of what God has given you? If this is the backdrop for our work, how does it provide a sense of calling and purpose?

Tuesday, October 24     1 Chronicles 28:9-10, 20

This passage is the story of how God assigned a job to Solomon-to build Him a temple. In that construction were all sorts of craftsman and artisans. What is David's commands (v. 9-10)? Plug your name and occupation in these verses. How does it change the way you view your job? How can it change the way you perform your work?

This passage is particularly insightful for parents. In 1 Corinthians, Paul refers to our bodies as the "temple of the Holy Spirit." In a very real sense, as a parent we are called to this same work of Solomon. How can you take encouragement from this passage / esp. v. 10?        

Wednesday, October 25   John 6:1-4

According to what we know about Jesus, he had a normal job before starting His ministry. How do you suppose Jesus was as a carpenter? As an employee? Have you ever thought about Jesus' work ethic? Do you think He felt a calling to carpentry? What could there have been the purpose to those formative years spent working w/ Joseph?

Thursday, October  26    Ephesians 2:4-10

On a theological level, this passage points out that we are united with Jesus in what we do-including our work. So He is a part of the work you do daily, as a Christian. What do you think this passage say about our purpose and calling in the work we do?

If you view yourself as God's workmanship, what has God made you to be? What are you good at? What gifts has He given you? Are you using those gifts at work? For the purpose above? How can you be an expression of God's grace and kindness in your work?

Friday, October 27        Proverbs 22:29

What is this proverb saying? How is faithfulness and excellence rewarded? When have you experienced the truth of this verse?

Finding Joy@Work      Genesis 2:8-15

Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

Monday, October 16...Read Genesis 2:8-15

Its interesting that God assigns man a job as the very first thing. Why do you think the whole story starts that way? When have you experienced joy at work? When have you experienced a sense that God was calling you to a particular job (professional career, working at home, or as a student)? Do you ever think of your work this way?

For many of us, particularly in our culture, work already takes such a primary role, even without the encouragement of Scriptures. So much so that it can become unhealthy. What is the balance? When do you tend to sacrifice the other things of value in your life (your r/ship with God, family, friends) in favor of your work?

Tuesday, October 17...Read Colossians 3:22-24

This is a well-known passage in Christian circles about how we are to view the work we perform. What does Paul describe as the appropriate outlook for work? Do you ever feel like a "slave" to the company you work for?

How good are you at keeping the perspective outlined here? Is it realistic? Why or why not? How could having this attitude change the amount of joy you experience at work?

Wednesday, October 18...Read Matthew 25:14-30

This can be a disturbing parable. What do you think God is getting at with this story? What is He saying about work? Do you view your work as a "talent" from God? Why or why not? how does what you do at work fit into God's Kingdom?

How are you at taking risks and/or really using what God has given you to advance His Kingdom or the Gospel message? How does your work fit into this equation? What purpose is there in your "talent" (ie what you do each day)?

Thursday, Otober 19...Read 1 Samuel 10:20-22

Read through the back-story on this passage. What character traits do you identify in Saul? What does his hiding from the work God had given him say about his character?

When do you feel like hiding from the work God has given you? Saul's work was as a leader among his people. In what arenas are you a leader? How can you create an atmosphere of joy that is honoring to God in these areas?

Friday, October 20...Read Proverbs 10:4-5

What is this proverb saying? How can you incorporate this wisdom into your life? How does diligence lead to joy? What about wisdom?