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  Sermon Based Small Group Lessons:  Road To Financial Freedom

 Work:  A Good Thing

  2008 February 3

 

 

Preparation

1.  Print off copies of the daily homework for each group member.

2.  Read through the questions in advance.

3.  Don’t force the group to reveal anything they’d be uncomfortable sharing.

4.  Pray that God will use this lesson.

 

 

Meeting Schedule

1.  Fellowship time & snacks

2.  Share prayer requests

3.  Pray (taking turns with short sentence prayers is good if group members are comfortable).

4.  Begin the lesson.

            a.  Share the title (above)

            b.  Ask the Ice Breaker Question

            c.  Follow the guide, reading the Scripture and asking the questions.

 

 

 

Ice Breaker Questions

 

            1.  Have you ever watched the show Dirty Jobs?

 

            2.  What is the worst job you’ve ever had?  What made it bad?

 

 

Introduction (read this)

 

            So why are we talking about work during a series on financial freedom?  I’m glad you asked.  Here are some of the reasons that this lesson deserves a place.

 

            1.  By God’s design, work is the means to provide for ourselves and our families.

 

            2.  As believers, if we have correct attitudes about work, then that will lead to correct actions, which will usually result in financial improvement. 

 

            3.  God blesses integrity.  When we do things His way and rely on Him, He will meet our needs.

 

            4.  (And maybe the most important)  It is possible that many people struggle financially due to misconceptions about work and it’s proper place in our lives.  Getting work right is critical to the financial freedom of any individual or family!

 

 

Focus Scripture:  Colossians 3:22-24

 

            Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

 

 

Digging for Truth

 

            1.  The focus scripture is full of truth about right working attitudes.  As a group, see if you can list at

                        least five principles.

 

                        a. 

 

                        b.

 

                        c.

 

                        d.

 

                        e.

 

 

            2.  Open your Bible.  See how far you have to read before finding God at work?

 

            3.  Read Genesis 1:26.  If God is a worker, and we are created in His image.  What implications does

                        that have for our lives?

 

                        Comment:  We are not functioning like God when we don’t work.

 

            4.  Do you think work has anything to do with many lottery winners not being happy after winning?

 

                        Comment:

                        Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good

                        works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  This verse shows us that we are not only

                        the object of God’s work, but that God has prepared work for us to do!

 

            5.  Why do you think we often define ourselves by our work?  (Seems like that’s the first question we

                        ask when we meet someone.)

 

                        Comment:  We spend 60-65% of our time there.

 

            6.  Pastor Les said that often Jesus gets left at home and work places become completely secular. 

                        Why do you think this is true?  How can we take Jesus into the work place?

 

            7.  Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A, urges people to work 10% harder (not necessarily longer). 

                        Why is it important for believers to work hard?

 

            8.  As found in the focus scripture and in Les’ sermon, from God’s perspective we work for Him, not for

                        our secular boss.  How does that make a difference?

 

            9.  Pastor Les said that God doesn’t consider some work sacred and some work secular.  Why do you

                        think all work matters to God?

 

            10.  Every believer needs to have balance in life.  People may be overcommitted or under-committed to

                        work.  What are the dangers of each?  What causes someone to be over-committed?

 

            11.  Luke 10:38 tells the story of Mary and Martha.  Martha was busy fulfilling her work while Mary

                        slacked off.   Do you find it odd that Jesus felt Mary made the right choice?  What does this tell

                        us about balance in life?

 

            12.  Pastor Les said that “Our ultimate pay check comes from God.”  What do you think this means? 

                        How does that affect how we live?

 

            13.  As a group, contrast the difference in a believer and a non-believer at work.  Name some areas   where Christ should make a difference in the work life of a believer?

 

 

Closing Questions

 

            1.  How important is our witness for Christ in the way we do our work?  What implications might there

                        be to lost people in the work place.

 

            2.  How balanced is your life between work, spiritual life, recreation, sleep, family responsibilities, etc?

 

            3.  What changes is God calling you to make at work this week?

 

 

Closing Scripture

            Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Ephesians 5:15-16

 

Reminders

 

            1.  Consider the Commitment to Work (see box on homework sheet).

 

            2.  Daily homework sheet.