Work

God’s Good Design: Work

Oftentimes, work is viewed either as a necessary evil or the sum of our identity and the measure of an individual’s worth. This week Josh leads us to examine God’s good design for work, the effects of sin on our work, and the cultural lies distorting our view of work. Ultimately, we are to view and value work as part of God’s good design, while stewarding our lives and gifts for the glory of God and the good of all of creation.

Josh’s Main Points

1. Work has always been a part of God’s plan.

2. We were created to work!

3. Work is in part, how we image God.

4. Work is broken.

5. The greatest work that needed to be done for a restored relationship has been done through Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

  • Work is intrinsically good. God declared work good in the Garden of Eden before sin entered the world.

  • Josh’s definition of work: “Work is accomplishing your God-given responsibilities.”  

  • Work is inclusive of your employment, but not exclusive to only how you earn a paycheck.

  • Work is not a curse to be endured, but a gift to be stewarded. God has given each of us unique responsibilities and gifts to be used to honor Him and help others.

  • Through work, we are to create, cultivate, and sustain the welfare of the world and life God created.

  • With the Fall in the Garden of Eden, work was corrupted and has been painful, frustrating, and laborious ever since.

  • Cultural lies:
    1) My work gives me my identity.
    2) The purpose of work is to have leisure.
    3 My job is the most important thing I do.

  • Fathers have a God-given responsibility to not only provide for their children, but be present in their children’s lives.
     
  • We have the capacity to work as God intends by the power of the Holy Spirit.

  • Practical applications:
    1) Evaluate your work.
    2) Remember God’s good design for work.
    3) Follow God’s pattern for work.
    4) Thank God for the opportunity that work is.

  • Our work will one day be restored to be fulfilling and free of sin’s stain forevermore.

  • The greatest work that needed to be done for a restored relationship has been done through Jesus Christ. Therefore, we don’t work for something, we work because of something.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal reflection:

  • Apply Josh’s four suggestions for practical application: 1) Evaluate your work; 2) Remember God’s good design for work; 3) Follow God’s pattern for work; 4) Thank God for the opportunity that work is.

Discuss with your community group:

  • What cultural lies are you prone to believe when it comes to work? How can you as a      group encourage and hold one another accountable in this area?

  • Have each group member discuss what it looks like to be more faithful with his/her God- given responsibilities, gifts, and redemption.

    Passages Referenced
    Genesis 2:4-17; 1 Corinthians 7:17; Genesis 1:28; Genesis 3:17-19; 1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Timothy 6:6-9; Proverbs 29:15; Jeremiah 29:7; 1 Peter 4:10; Colossians 3:23; Psalm 107:1.