Work for the Lord
Good News – Part 2
Luke 2:8-20
Series Memory Verse: “…but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.’” Luke 2:10 (p.781)
- My Work Reflects the Good News.
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 (p.904)
- Mind my own business.
“That night shepherds were staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.” Luke 2:8-9 (p.781)
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (p.906)
- Serve my boss but follow my Leader.
“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.” Luke 2:15-16 (p.781)
“Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.” Ephesians 6:7-8 (p.898)
- Tell everyone Who I work for.
“After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished.” Luke 2:17-18 (p.781)
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 (p.904)
My Next Step This Week:
___ I will pray every day for God to enable and empower me to reflect the Good News in my work.
Life Transformation Discipleship Plan Reading this week: Working For The Lord (p.A110-A111)
Discussion/Groups Guide Good News – Part 2: Work for the Lord
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion and study of the Weekend Talk. Use this also as a discussion guide with your family and friends.
Conversation Starters
- What is a childhood memory you have of Christmas?
- Have you ever had to work on Christmas Day?
- Without looking it up, what elements do you remember of the Nativity as recorded in the Bible?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Weekend Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out to you, challenged you, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
Our One Thing: My Work Reflects the Good News.
- What is the Good News (aka The Gospel)?
- What does it mean to “reflect” something or someone?
- Read Matthew 5:15-16 (p.736) and John 8:12 (p.817).
- Who is the light source? Who reflects it?
Series Memory Verse: Luke 2:10 (p.781) “…but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.’”
One Voice Bible Story Background: The Shepherds going about their work: Luke 2:8-20 (p.781). See also Colossians 3:23 (p.904)
- Read the Luke passage aloud as a group.
- Did you notice anything that, perhaps, you may have missed or forgotten in the story?
- What does it mean to live out Colossians 3:23?
Application: Because my work reflects the Good News, it also reflects my life in Jesus. Lessons I can learn from God’s work in the shepherds are:
- Mind my own business. (Luke 2:8-9 (p.781); 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (p.906))
- What were the shepherds doing when the angel appeared to them? Why is this significant?
- Discuss what Paul writes to the Thessalonians. Walk through the elements of his statement. How is it relevant for us?
- What does your work reflect? What values are apparent in your life as demonstrated in your work?
- Serve my boss but follow my Leader. (Luke 2:15-16 (p.781); Ephesians 6:7-8 (p.898))
- Do you think God would have sent angels to the shepherds if they were being lazy and negligent in their duties to their job?
- What did the shepherds do once they got the Good News from the angels?
- It is possible to serve your employer/boss/customer AND follow Jesus? Explain your thought.
- What kind of things can curb your enthusiasm at work? How can you be on guard against that?
- Tell everyone Who I work for. (Luke 2:17-20 (p.781); Colossians 3:23 (p.904))
- What did the shepherds do after they saw baby Jesus?
- How can you see your workplace or your profession as a means to tell people about Jesus? Does this mean you must always open up your Bible and walk them through scriptures and have them pray with you? What DOES it mean?
Digging Deeper
One of the things that spoils friendships and work relationships is gossip. We have to be careful not to get drawn into it. A good example of this is the phrase, “Can I share in confidence about ___…?” Do they really need to say that, especially when they then go on to list the issues? Why not say: Can we please pray for _____ who is going through a rough patch?
Take a look at the following verses about gossiping.
- Proverbs 11:9 (p.488)
- Proverbs 11:13 (p.448)
- Proverbs 16:28 (p.492)
- 2 Corinthians 12:20 (p.888)
- Ephesians 4:29 (p.897)
The only thing we should gossip about is the gospel which is the key to application three of the talk: “Tell everyone who I work for.” We work for Jesus, and it is through Him we are adopted as children of God and that offer is for everyone!
My Next Step This Week
___ I will pray every day for God to enable and empower me to reflect the Good News in my work.
This Week’s Life Transformation Bible Daily Reading: Work for the Lord (p.A110-A111).