Welcome to the final week of our new series, Work: It Matters. This week, Pastor Jeff Manion’s conversation is about how we tend to forget our work matters to God and five different things we forget along the way.
SHARE LIFE
Building healthy and life-giving relationships.
Updates
What has been new or challenging in your life since last time the group met? Spend 20–30 minutes checking in with each other.
Share Part of Your Story
What unpaid work do you enjoy doing?
Safe Environment
An important part of a safe environment is clear expectations. As a group, have a discussion about what you want to do this summer, so everyone is on the same page.
PURSUE GOD
Taking next steps toward Christ together.
Have someone read Colossians 3:22-4:1 aloud. What words or ideas repeat? Who is Paul talking to? What stands out to you?
Who I Work For
Paul says that they are serving Jesus when they work. What might it feel like to be them and hear this for the first time?
Paul encourages them to do good work, whether someone is watching or not. Why can it be so hard to continue to do things the right way when you think no one will notice? How does thinking of our work as “working for Jesus” help us in this area?
Bring My Heart
Why do you think Paul needed to tell first-century slaves to work with all their heart?
Do you feel like our culture is good at bringing their heart to work? Why or why not? What are some ways you have seen people excel at it or fail to do it?
We are all passionate about different aspects of the work we do. What are some areas of your work (paid or unpaid) you are passionate about? How can you bring your heart to work for Jesus in the areas you aren’t passionate about?
Who I Am
What do you know about first-century slavery? How do you think the slaves would’ve felt about themselves?
Our economic system is different than that of the first century. How do these instructions to slaves apply to us today?
Paul tells the slaves they will receive something very important in Colossians 3:24. What is it? How is that connected to their new identity in Jesus?
Our identity is no less significant today. What are some things our culture tries to tell us to find our identity in? How is finding our identity in the person and work of Jesus better? What are some ways we can daily remind ourselves of this new identity?
Treat People Humanly
In Colossians 4:1, Paul shifts his attention to slave owners. What are the instructions he gives them? What is the reason he tells them for doing it?
Who might Paul address with this instruction if he was writing to us today? What are some ways for those people to treat others rightly/fairly?
Think through your relationships. Where might Paul encourage you to treat people rightly/fairly? What is one way you can remind yourself to do that this week?
Who I Represent
Have someone read 1 Timothy 6:1 aloud. What is noteworthy about what Paul is writing?
We heard that we might forget our work and Jesus are related, but those around us don’t. What do you think that means? What has your experience with that been?
Do you feel like you are doing a good job representing Jesus to those who see you work (work both paid or unpaid)? What do you think you could do differently? How can your group be praying for you?
This week wraps up our series Work: It Matters. What are some ways this series has challenged you? How will your view of work (paid or unpaid) be affected? What’s one change you are trying to make?
INVEST IN OTHERS
Valuing people outside the group and outside the faith.
Discuss how you and your group can better engage the people in your life outside your small group.
Relational Investment
Begin planning your service project. What do you need to make it happen? When will you do it? Who is going to take the lead? After you’ve completed your project, we would love to hear about it and see some pictures. Please email the story and pictures to us at smallgroups@adabible.org. Or share on social media and tag @adabible in your picture or post!
Download a printable PDF here.