Rooting Path · Christian Living · Lesson 3: Work · As for the Lord
This lesson in one sentence: Work has dignity and toil; whatever you do, do it as for the Lord—and learn to stop.
Timing (about 60 minutes)
- Opening5 min
- Read Together10 min
- Discussion30 min
- This Week10 min
- Pray for One Another5 min
Opening
What was your first job (or chore)?
Read Together
The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
Genesis 2:15 · WEB
Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
Colossians 3:22-25 · WEB
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.
Colossians 3:2-4 · WEB
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men
Colossians 3:23 · WEB
Discussion
- “The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it” (Genesis 2:15)—work existed before sin entered. How does that affect the way you see your own work?
- “whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:22-25)—in your work, what is the difference between working ‘for men’ and ‘for the Lord’?
- “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24)—how can you tell whether work has become your idol?
- When in your week do you truly stop?
- “Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal”—if you are responsible for others (staff, people you employ, students you teach), what do these words mean for you?
This Week
Choose the job you usually do most half-heartedly (housework counts) and do it carefully once, as for the Lord; then set yourself a time to stop work, and when it comes, put it down.
Each person names the ‘half-hearted job’ they will do carefully this week, and their own time to stop work.
Closing
In pairs, pray one sentence for your partner’s work.
Tips for the leader
- Include those who are full-time at home, retired, unemployed or still studying: housework, caring for people, looking for work and studying are all work.
- If someone in the group is out of work or finding work very hard, don’t be quick to say ‘this is God’s plan’; listen first.
- If someone cannot set their own hours (shifts, overtime), the ‘time to stop work’ can become ‘a stretch each week kept free of work’.
- The group may include both bosses and employees. Talk about what each of us does ourselves; don’t let it turn into criticism of bosses or of employees.
General principles for leaders
- The leader is not a teacher but someone who walks alongside everyone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak; with someone who talks a lot, you can gently say, ‘Let’s also hear from friends who haven’t spoken yet.’
- Don’t rush to give answers. If someone is silent, wait a few more seconds.
- For a question you can’t answer, you can say, ‘I don’t know either; let’s look it up together,’ and note it down for next time.
- What is said in the group stays in the group.
- At the opening, the leader can give their own answer first, showing that it can be simple and honest.