Resetting The Way You Work

Get It Back Week 5

John Sellers

We have been talking a lot about rest over the last few weeks. Sometimes it can feel like work is the opposite of rest. Have you ever felt that work was the enemy of rest? It is estimated that the average person will spend around 90,000+ hours of their adult life at work. What if we are missing out on a significant truth that shapes how we view work?

  1. What’s your favorite meme, joke, or saying about work? Why do you think we often view work as something to endure rather than enjoy?
  2. Pastor John talked about hitting the “reset button” on our perspective of work. What stood out to you most about viewing work differently?
  3. What surprised you about the connection between work and worship discussed in the message?
  4. Read Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 2:15. When did God first give humans work to do? What does this timing tell us about the nature of work itself?
  5. In Genesis 2:15, the Hebrew words used for “put” and “work” have deeper meanings related to rest and worship. How does understanding that work was meant to be worship change your perspective?
  6. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” According to this passage, who are we ultimately working for?
  7. Pastor John shared a Martin Luther quote about a maid sweeping floors and a shoemaker making shoes. What point was Luther making about how we can serve God through ordinary work?

Here’s the quote, just in case you missed it. “The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays—not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.”

  1. The sermon asked, “Who do you work for?” and suggested that if we work for approval, we’ll be anxious, for money, we’ll be restless, for people, we’ll be fragile, but for the Lord, we’ll find purpose. Which of these motivations do you most struggle with in your current work or responsibilities?
  2. Pastor John outlined three ways to make work into worship:
    1. Receive your work as a gift – How has God blessed you through your current work, studies, or responsibilities?
    2. Give God your best work – In what areas of your work do you find it hardest to maintain excellence and integrity?
    3. Connect your work to His mission – How might God want to use your workplace, skills, or position to point others toward Jesus?

If you’re feeling burned out or frustrated with work, spend time this week thanking God for the abilities, opportunities, and provision He’s given you through your work.

Prayer

“God, thank You for creating me in Your image and giving me the ability to work. Help me to see my work – whether it’s at a job, at school, at home, or in ministry – as an opportunity to worship You. Forgive me for the times I’ve complained about work or forgotten that You’ve given it to me as a gift. Give me strength to work with excellence and integrity, not to impress people but to honor You. Show me how to use my work to serve others and point them toward Jesus. Help me to remember that I’m ultimately working for You, Lord, and find my satisfaction and purpose in that truth. When work gets difficult or discouraging, remind me that Jesus worked too – as a carpenter, as a teacher, and ultimately on the cross to redeem me. Thank You that because of His work, my work now has eternal meaning. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”