Sublime: Ephesians—Week 21 Al Erisman
Work Matters—Ephesians 6:5-9
- Introduction[1]
This passage is not about slavery[2]
It fits very naturally in the flow of Ephesians, teaching us how to live at work[3]
- Lessons for those working “at the bottom”
How and why we work[4]
God’s call to bring value from the product of our work[5]
- Lessons for those working “at the top”
Leaders also need to work with purpose and meaning
Leadership as a Jesus follower should look different[6]
- Concluding comments
Is our work only temporal, or might it have eternal value[7]
Our language gets in the way when we talk about work
- Conclusion[8]
Discussion Questions:
- Why is it so important that you think about your work in the context of your faith?
- Thinking about your own work, whether paid or unpaid, what is the purpose and meaning of that work? How might it have lasting value?
- How do you integrate your life between demands of work, family, church, other service, leisure?
- For those not working for pay, how do you view your daily work as service to God?
- If you are unemployed, does this discussion bring a different perspective as you seek work?
[1] In addition to the text, these are some other references that are mentioned
[2] Colossians 3:22-4:1, 9; Philemon
[3] Ephesians 4:1, 5:22; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
[4] Genesis 37, 41; Daniel 1; Esther 4:12-17
[5] Genesis 1:28-30, 2:15, 2:19, 2:5, 4:20-22, 3:17-19; Ecclesiastes 2:22-24; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
[6] Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Corinthians 4:7
[7] Romans 13:12-13; Revelation 21:24; Isaiah 60
[8] Colossians 3:17