Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, Genesis 2:15-17
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked, ‘Why God would allow _______?’, I would be a literal millionaire. So many unbelieving people are asking this kind of question. Even worse, so many people are saying that they can not and will not believe in God because of evil and suffering and death. I’ve personally heard far too many people declare that they reject God because someone they loved died.
Interestingly, many of these people are happy to be or to support the “pro-choice” movement, giving the royal nod to the innocent killing of 90,000 babies each year in Australia alone. Yet they immediately reject God and blame God for death. I’m not sure the inconsistency sits well.
Death was not God’s doing. When God created mankind, He gave mankind a command with a consequence. Adam and Eve were told not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The consequence of disobedience was death. Mankind, in choosing to disobey God, brought death into the world.
But even with death, we see a tinge of goodness and grace from God. When mankind rejected God, they became biased towards sin and God brought death into the world. But can death ever be positive and good? Think of people like Hitler, Mussolini, Mao, Stalin who between them killed millions and millions of innocent people. Without death in the world, their reign could go on forever and ever. Death brings an end to evil and limits the evil that one person or one group can perpetrate. God in His wisdom has allowed death into the world as a consequence of mankind’s rebellion and as constant reminder that all is not as it should be.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
...Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where O Death is your victory? Where O Death is your sting?
1 Cor 15:54-55.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the older members of your congregation. Ask the Lord to enable them to pass on their wisdom and Bible knowledge and experience to the younger generations. Pray that we would see many people grow in their faith and love for Jesus through their ministry and mentoring.
¥ Pray that the Lord would grow the children in your congregation in their faith, their boldness, their willingness to live for You. Ask God to raise up an army of ambassadors who put God first in their entire lives.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. What comfort can we give Mary Jo if she had lost someone close to her?
2. How does Christian grieving differ to non Christian grieving?
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Monday, 16 September 2013
Monday September 16, 2013
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
The world and the universe in which we live is governed to some degree by times and seasons. You don’t need to be a philosopher or scientist to see the regularity of times and seasons. We see the order in natural laws, in the days coming and going, in the 4 seasons of the year and in a host of other seasons and times.
The Teacher isn’t just making an observation about the world and the universe in which we live. Solomon is inadvertently teaching us that God is sovereign over the seasons and is working out His plans for the good of those who love Him.
The mature Christian knows the beauty and comfort of seasons. The night will soon end and the day will dawn. The cold of Winter will soon give way to the warmth of Spring. The mature Christian can persevere through a particular season knowing that it will soon pass and that God will bring another season. But even in the darkest of seasons, the mature believer knows that God is at work and is achieving His purposes in the world. A dark season is not an indicator that God has lost control or that He’s necessarily punishing us. Even within these seasons we know that Romans 8:28 is true - … in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Sweet apples only grow through a cold winter. Perhaps God knows better than us. Perhaps a cold or dark season is just what we need to grow more into His sweet likeness or to grow away from some particular sin in our lives.
If you understand that God works in and through seasons you can be a great comfort to those who are suffering. The grief will come to an end as a new season dawns. The hurt will subside. The pain will diminish. The darkness will fade. You can walk beside the hurting, the broken and the needy to shine the light of Christ as you support and encourage them through a dark or painful season.
The seasons we walk through are God ordained and God purposed to bring about God determined results.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him...
Romans 8:28
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the Compassion children that we support in Indonesia. ChristLife church has about 53 sponsor children in Indonesia. Pray that these children will grow strong in the Lord, that they will mature in their knowledge and love of Jesus and that they would become strong and faithful ambassadors for Jesus.
¥ Praise God that Compassion are able to help many children. Pray that God would raise up more sponsors for Compassion to further their work.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
Mary Jo is going through a very tough time at the moment. Though she has been a Christian for years she is now questioning her faith.
1. She feels that God must hate her to allow such suffering in her life. Mary Jo asks you why God hates her? How do you respond?
2. Mary Jo keeps asking why God is punishing her and demands to know what she’s done wrong. How do you answer her?
3. What comfort can you give Mary Jo from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8?
The world and the universe in which we live is governed to some degree by times and seasons. You don’t need to be a philosopher or scientist to see the regularity of times and seasons. We see the order in natural laws, in the days coming and going, in the 4 seasons of the year and in a host of other seasons and times.
The Teacher isn’t just making an observation about the world and the universe in which we live. Solomon is inadvertently teaching us that God is sovereign over the seasons and is working out His plans for the good of those who love Him.
The mature Christian knows the beauty and comfort of seasons. The night will soon end and the day will dawn. The cold of Winter will soon give way to the warmth of Spring. The mature Christian can persevere through a particular season knowing that it will soon pass and that God will bring another season. But even in the darkest of seasons, the mature believer knows that God is at work and is achieving His purposes in the world. A dark season is not an indicator that God has lost control or that He’s necessarily punishing us. Even within these seasons we know that Romans 8:28 is true - … in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Sweet apples only grow through a cold winter. Perhaps God knows better than us. Perhaps a cold or dark season is just what we need to grow more into His sweet likeness or to grow away from some particular sin in our lives.
If you understand that God works in and through seasons you can be a great comfort to those who are suffering. The grief will come to an end as a new season dawns. The hurt will subside. The pain will diminish. The darkness will fade. You can walk beside the hurting, the broken and the needy to shine the light of Christ as you support and encourage them through a dark or painful season.
The seasons we walk through are God ordained and God purposed to bring about God determined results.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him...
Romans 8:28
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the Compassion children that we support in Indonesia. ChristLife church has about 53 sponsor children in Indonesia. Pray that these children will grow strong in the Lord, that they will mature in their knowledge and love of Jesus and that they would become strong and faithful ambassadors for Jesus.
¥ Praise God that Compassion are able to help many children. Pray that God would raise up more sponsors for Compassion to further their work.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
Mary Jo is going through a very tough time at the moment. Though she has been a Christian for years she is now questioning her faith.
1. She feels that God must hate her to allow such suffering in her life. Mary Jo asks you why God hates her? How do you respond?
2. Mary Jo keeps asking why God is punishing her and demands to know what she’s done wrong. How do you answer her?
3. What comfort can you give Mary Jo from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8?
Saturday, 14 September 2013
Saturday September 14, 2013
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Even though we’ve talked a lot about the satisfaction of work we have to also talk about giving or tithing because this too is a part of our worship of God.
The Old Testament in a sense commanded that a tithe or a tenth of all produce and offspring (what we could term income) be set apart to the Lord. On top of this, the Old Testament believer had various ceremonies and opportunities in which to give “free will” offerings to the Lord. It appears that a tithe was simply the starting point.
In the New Testament a tithe or tenth is not stipulated. We are told, however, that the believer should give to the Lord what he is happy to give so that the giving is done with a joyous heart. God loves a cheerful giver.
We must never see this as an opportunity to hold back from God and to keep more for ourselves. It is not an excuse to give less. The 2 Corinthians passage is encouraging generosity not frugality or penny-pinching towards God. It would be advantageous to start with a tithe or a tenth of your income as your weekly giving. Prayerfully ask God how much more He would have you give and then give joyfully to the Lord’s work. In practice this could mean setting aside your tithe for the Lord’s work in general as determined by your local church and giving that to the church in the general collection. Prayerfully consider how much extra God would have you give for mission work, for special needs and for unplanned needs that the church comes across.
Even though we should always be cautious when using statistics, they can give us a guide to reality. The average annual Australian income is roughly $73,000 per working person, including overtime and bonuses. If every working person in the congregation tithed then each 10 people should be able to support a full time Christian worker. That of course, would overload our churches but that extra funding could be used to support Christian workers overseas or even locally in churches that can’t afford a full time minster, youth worker, children’s worker etc.
While it is very hard to find consistent figures for giving in Australia, estimates range from a few dollars per person to around $13.00 per person per week. After much research, I could not find any site that suggested that the average giving per person was in line with a tenth of the annual income per person. Based on the above average income figures weekly giving averages out to about 0.2% to 0.9% of annual income. Statistically we are not even giving 1% (which is 1 tenth of a tithe) of our annual income to the Lord.
Rather than seeing giving to God as a chore or a negative thing to avoid at all costs, we need to re-evaluate our stance. The Teacher encourages us to find satisfaction in our work. That satisfaction should include our giving because when we give back to God with a grateful heart, it becomes a fragrant offering acceptable to the Lord. Giving generously will only add to our work satisfaction, not detract from it.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:7b-8
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that your church would be a generous church where believers give generously to the work of the Lord. Pray that each believer would give to the Lord’s work with a cheerful heart. Pray that as we sow generously, we would also reap generously.
Pray that your church would be able to continue to financially support the missionaries and agencies it has pledged to support. Ask God to richly bless those in your congregation who are generous in their giving.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. Should a church talk about, teach or preach on giving and tithing? Why or why not?
2. What role does giving play in our walk with God?
3. How does withholding one’s giving affect one’s walk with God?
4. How does being exceedingly generous in giving affect one’s walk with God?
Even though we’ve talked a lot about the satisfaction of work we have to also talk about giving or tithing because this too is a part of our worship of God.
The Old Testament in a sense commanded that a tithe or a tenth of all produce and offspring (what we could term income) be set apart to the Lord. On top of this, the Old Testament believer had various ceremonies and opportunities in which to give “free will” offerings to the Lord. It appears that a tithe was simply the starting point.
In the New Testament a tithe or tenth is not stipulated. We are told, however, that the believer should give to the Lord what he is happy to give so that the giving is done with a joyous heart. God loves a cheerful giver.
We must never see this as an opportunity to hold back from God and to keep more for ourselves. It is not an excuse to give less. The 2 Corinthians passage is encouraging generosity not frugality or penny-pinching towards God. It would be advantageous to start with a tithe or a tenth of your income as your weekly giving. Prayerfully ask God how much more He would have you give and then give joyfully to the Lord’s work. In practice this could mean setting aside your tithe for the Lord’s work in general as determined by your local church and giving that to the church in the general collection. Prayerfully consider how much extra God would have you give for mission work, for special needs and for unplanned needs that the church comes across.
Even though we should always be cautious when using statistics, they can give us a guide to reality. The average annual Australian income is roughly $73,000 per working person, including overtime and bonuses. If every working person in the congregation tithed then each 10 people should be able to support a full time Christian worker. That of course, would overload our churches but that extra funding could be used to support Christian workers overseas or even locally in churches that can’t afford a full time minster, youth worker, children’s worker etc.
While it is very hard to find consistent figures for giving in Australia, estimates range from a few dollars per person to around $13.00 per person per week. After much research, I could not find any site that suggested that the average giving per person was in line with a tenth of the annual income per person. Based on the above average income figures weekly giving averages out to about 0.2% to 0.9% of annual income. Statistically we are not even giving 1% (which is 1 tenth of a tithe) of our annual income to the Lord.
Rather than seeing giving to God as a chore or a negative thing to avoid at all costs, we need to re-evaluate our stance. The Teacher encourages us to find satisfaction in our work. That satisfaction should include our giving because when we give back to God with a grateful heart, it becomes a fragrant offering acceptable to the Lord. Giving generously will only add to our work satisfaction, not detract from it.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:7b-8
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that your church would be a generous church where believers give generously to the work of the Lord. Pray that each believer would give to the Lord’s work with a cheerful heart. Pray that as we sow generously, we would also reap generously.
Pray that your church would be able to continue to financially support the missionaries and agencies it has pledged to support. Ask God to richly bless those in your congregation who are generous in their giving.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. Should a church talk about, teach or preach on giving and tithing? Why or why not?
2. What role does giving play in our walk with God?
3. How does withholding one’s giving affect one’s walk with God?
4. How does being exceedingly generous in giving affect one’s walk with God?
Friday, 13 September 2013
Friday September 13, 2013
Read Ecclesiastes 2:24-26. Genesis 2:15-17. Genesis 3:17-19. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
The Christian church has deprecated “work” or employment somewhat for many centuries seeing ministry and full time church work as the real work to be done. All other forms of work have tended to be seen as income to support the church. This view, however, cannot be substantiated from Scripture.
In the Garden of Eden God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden and told him to work and till it. He was to tend to the Garden in much the same way as the Levites would tend to the temple.
When Adam and Eve rebelled against God by disobeying Him, Adam’s work was affected. Work would become difficult and toilsome but would remain nonetheless. Even after the fall, work was still within the service given to God by believers, even though it was noticeably more difficult than in the Garden.
It is in this vain that the Teacher in Ecclesiastes comes to see work. Rather than considering work a four letter word, he begins to see it as a blessing from God which can and should be enjoyed. With God in the picture, each person can eat, drink and find satisfaction in doing his/her work. Serving God with one’s entire heart, soul, mind and strength is always satisfying. Seeking to please God is a satisfying exercise.
The New Testament concords with this positive view of work. In 2 Thessalonians 3 Paul rebukes those who are idle. These idlers are not to be associated with. In fact, Paul even goes so far as to say that those who are idle and are not working should not eat. Bludging is severely rebuked by the Apostle Paul. On the positive side, Paul commends hard work and reminds the believers of his own example.
What ever you do for a living you have a God given right to eat, drink and to be happy or satisfied with your work. With God at the centre you have the right to be content, knowing that each day you have served God to the best of your ability. Being in full time ministry is not the be all and end all of the Christian life. Wherever God has placed you is where you can serve God and be content.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:7b-8
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that both you and your fellow believers would know the will of God for your life and their lives. Pray that God would show each person what their spiritual gift is and how He wants them to be using that gift for the blessing of the body of Christ.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
Xavier plans to find satisfaction in life because of the work accident. He’s thinking that he’ll use every second Sonday to enjoy life more.
1. What can he learn from today’s readings?
2. What would it look like if these learnings were applied to his life?
3. How can Xavier get a balance to life without giving up on God?
The Christian church has deprecated “work” or employment somewhat for many centuries seeing ministry and full time church work as the real work to be done. All other forms of work have tended to be seen as income to support the church. This view, however, cannot be substantiated from Scripture.
In the Garden of Eden God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden and told him to work and till it. He was to tend to the Garden in much the same way as the Levites would tend to the temple.
When Adam and Eve rebelled against God by disobeying Him, Adam’s work was affected. Work would become difficult and toilsome but would remain nonetheless. Even after the fall, work was still within the service given to God by believers, even though it was noticeably more difficult than in the Garden.
It is in this vain that the Teacher in Ecclesiastes comes to see work. Rather than considering work a four letter word, he begins to see it as a blessing from God which can and should be enjoyed. With God in the picture, each person can eat, drink and find satisfaction in doing his/her work. Serving God with one’s entire heart, soul, mind and strength is always satisfying. Seeking to please God is a satisfying exercise.
The New Testament concords with this positive view of work. In 2 Thessalonians 3 Paul rebukes those who are idle. These idlers are not to be associated with. In fact, Paul even goes so far as to say that those who are idle and are not working should not eat. Bludging is severely rebuked by the Apostle Paul. On the positive side, Paul commends hard work and reminds the believers of his own example.
What ever you do for a living you have a God given right to eat, drink and to be happy or satisfied with your work. With God at the centre you have the right to be content, knowing that each day you have served God to the best of your ability. Being in full time ministry is not the be all and end all of the Christian life. Wherever God has placed you is where you can serve God and be content.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:7b-8
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that both you and your fellow believers would know the will of God for your life and their lives. Pray that God would show each person what their spiritual gift is and how He wants them to be using that gift for the blessing of the body of Christ.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
Xavier plans to find satisfaction in life because of the work accident. He’s thinking that he’ll use every second Sonday to enjoy life more.
1. What can he learn from today’s readings?
2. What would it look like if these learnings were applied to his life?
3. How can Xavier get a balance to life without giving up on God?
Thursday, 12 September 2013
Thursday September 12, 2013
Read Acts 13:1-3. Ephesians 2:8-10. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What’s the will of God for my life? What does God want me to do? What’s my role? Where does God want me to serve? What does God want me to be doing in the church and outside the church? What job does God want me to do?
Perhaps the biggest issue within the church today is a lack of knowledge concerning the will of God for our lives. I’ve heard hundreds, if not thousands, of believers ask this kind of question in relation to their work, their intended marriage partner, their service in the church, their schooling, their children… and so on and so on. It seems that though we know theology and possibly our Bibles well, we do not know the will of God for our lives.
Some people, like Paul, are fortunate to have God tell them what He expects of them and what He wants them to be doing. While the church at Antioch was fasting and praying and worshipping the Lord, the Holy Spirit made it clear that Paul and Barnabas were to be sent off on a mission to the Gentiles. However, few of us could claim to have such a direct word from the Lord. Few of us would know so clearly what God intends for us.
For those of us who have little or no idea about the will of God for our lives, Ephesians 2:8-10 gives helpful guidance. You and I were saved by God’s grace so that we might participate in good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do. Even though we may still be in the dark about what good works we are to be doing, we can at least be confident that God has things He wants us to be doing. God didn’t save us for a life of idleness but for a life of good works.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 lists some of the good works we can be doing regardless of where we are in life. It is God’s will that we be joyful always. Being joyful means rejoicing in God and in our salvation no matter what is happening in our life. We are to be praying continually. God wants to be included in everything we do, in every decision we make, in every word we speak and in every thought we think. God wants an open line of communication between ourselves and Himself. It is also God’s will that we thank Him and praise Him in every situation. Even if we are lost in the desert, God calls us to be praising and thanking Him.
Make a firm decision today to put 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 into practice each and every single day. As you do, continue to ask God to show you the specific will of God for your life.
If we faithfully practice the general will of God for our lives, we’ll be more apt to hear His specific will for our lives.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that both you and your fellow believers would know the will of God for your life and their lives. Pray that God would show each person what their spiritual gift is and how He wants them to be using that gift for the blessing of the body of Christ.
¥ Pray that the work of chaplaincy would bear much fruit in Harristown Public School and Glenvale Public School. Pray that many students and staff would come to know Christ through these chaplains.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. Do you think Xavier knows the will of God for his life?
2. How could he find out this will of God for his life?
3. What biblical counsel would you give to someone like Xavier who doesn’t know the will of God for his/her life?
What’s the will of God for my life? What does God want me to do? What’s my role? Where does God want me to serve? What does God want me to be doing in the church and outside the church? What job does God want me to do?
Perhaps the biggest issue within the church today is a lack of knowledge concerning the will of God for our lives. I’ve heard hundreds, if not thousands, of believers ask this kind of question in relation to their work, their intended marriage partner, their service in the church, their schooling, their children… and so on and so on. It seems that though we know theology and possibly our Bibles well, we do not know the will of God for our lives.
Some people, like Paul, are fortunate to have God tell them what He expects of them and what He wants them to be doing. While the church at Antioch was fasting and praying and worshipping the Lord, the Holy Spirit made it clear that Paul and Barnabas were to be sent off on a mission to the Gentiles. However, few of us could claim to have such a direct word from the Lord. Few of us would know so clearly what God intends for us.
For those of us who have little or no idea about the will of God for our lives, Ephesians 2:8-10 gives helpful guidance. You and I were saved by God’s grace so that we might participate in good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do. Even though we may still be in the dark about what good works we are to be doing, we can at least be confident that God has things He wants us to be doing. God didn’t save us for a life of idleness but for a life of good works.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 lists some of the good works we can be doing regardless of where we are in life. It is God’s will that we be joyful always. Being joyful means rejoicing in God and in our salvation no matter what is happening in our life. We are to be praying continually. God wants to be included in everything we do, in every decision we make, in every word we speak and in every thought we think. God wants an open line of communication between ourselves and Himself. It is also God’s will that we thank Him and praise Him in every situation. Even if we are lost in the desert, God calls us to be praising and thanking Him.
Make a firm decision today to put 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 into practice each and every single day. As you do, continue to ask God to show you the specific will of God for your life.
If we faithfully practice the general will of God for our lives, we’ll be more apt to hear His specific will for our lives.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that both you and your fellow believers would know the will of God for your life and their lives. Pray that God would show each person what their spiritual gift is and how He wants them to be using that gift for the blessing of the body of Christ.
¥ Pray that the work of chaplaincy would bear much fruit in Harristown Public School and Glenvale Public School. Pray that many students and staff would come to know Christ through these chaplains.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. Do you think Xavier knows the will of God for his life?
2. How could he find out this will of God for his life?
3. What biblical counsel would you give to someone like Xavier who doesn’t know the will of God for his/her life?
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Wednesday September 11, 2013
Jesus Challenge:
Read Acts 18:1-5. Paul worked hard earning an income, even as a missionary. He had a particular goal in tent making. Do you have a goal for your work?
Spend time as a cell discussing what it means to have a work related goal for your life. What are the key elements in a work related goal? How should this goal relate to your general life goal? Encourage each cell member to write a work goal that correlates with their life goal.
Read Ecclesiastes 2:18-23.
I can picture the CEO sitting at his desk, tapping his pencil, fidgeting nervously. In a few days he'll be officially retiring. For the last time after 45 years he’ll walk down the street, enter the building, ride the elevator to the top floor and sit at his desk overlooking the city and the harbour.
He built this company from the ground up. He turned it around and brought it to the top of its industry. He had poured blood and sweat and tears into this company. But now, in a few days, it’ll all be over. As he ponders he asks himself if the new incoming CEO will be as good. Will he destroy the company? Will he lead it in a new direction? Will he lead it in the wrong direction? Will he undo all the hard work? His thoughts quickly, yet quietly drift to the meaning of it all - was it worthwhile? Have I really achieved anything? Have I really made a difference? Has it all meant something?
We will all come to a place in life where we have to do some healthy self- assessment. Somewhere in the future we’ll want to ask ourselves if all the assets we’ve built up, if the house we’ve fixed up, if the car we’ve laboured on, if the projects we’ve undertaken were all worth it.
Like the Teacher in Ecclesiastes we may have to agree that the one we leave it all to may be foolish and destroy all our hard work. The children may not continue the family business. They may want to sell the farm. The next in line for the CEO’s chair may take a different pathway. The house may be sold or worse, knocked down for another structure. But if we have served God with our heart, soul, mind and strength throughout our life then we can be content and leave the future in His hands. We can be confident that our life has had significance and impact.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
Love the Lord your God with all your heat and with all your soul
and with all your mind and with all your strength.
The second is this, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself”. There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:30-31
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that Teen Challenge would continue to make disciples and transform lives through their ministry. Pray that God would use them powerfully to bring the gospel of life to desperate and needy people.
¥ Pray that God would use your church and you personally to reach out to many people wit the gospel of life. Pray that your church would be serious about the Great Commission.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. How can Xavier find satisfaction in his work life so far?
2. What can he do to find satisfaction in work from this point forward?
3. What do you think the outcome of Xavier’s search will be?
4. How can the church support and minster to Xavier?
Read Acts 18:1-5. Paul worked hard earning an income, even as a missionary. He had a particular goal in tent making. Do you have a goal for your work?
Spend time as a cell discussing what it means to have a work related goal for your life. What are the key elements in a work related goal? How should this goal relate to your general life goal? Encourage each cell member to write a work goal that correlates with their life goal.
Read Ecclesiastes 2:18-23.
I can picture the CEO sitting at his desk, tapping his pencil, fidgeting nervously. In a few days he'll be officially retiring. For the last time after 45 years he’ll walk down the street, enter the building, ride the elevator to the top floor and sit at his desk overlooking the city and the harbour.
He built this company from the ground up. He turned it around and brought it to the top of its industry. He had poured blood and sweat and tears into this company. But now, in a few days, it’ll all be over. As he ponders he asks himself if the new incoming CEO will be as good. Will he destroy the company? Will he lead it in a new direction? Will he lead it in the wrong direction? Will he undo all the hard work? His thoughts quickly, yet quietly drift to the meaning of it all - was it worthwhile? Have I really achieved anything? Have I really made a difference? Has it all meant something?
We will all come to a place in life where we have to do some healthy self- assessment. Somewhere in the future we’ll want to ask ourselves if all the assets we’ve built up, if the house we’ve fixed up, if the car we’ve laboured on, if the projects we’ve undertaken were all worth it.
Like the Teacher in Ecclesiastes we may have to agree that the one we leave it all to may be foolish and destroy all our hard work. The children may not continue the family business. They may want to sell the farm. The next in line for the CEO’s chair may take a different pathway. The house may be sold or worse, knocked down for another structure. But if we have served God with our heart, soul, mind and strength throughout our life then we can be content and leave the future in His hands. We can be confident that our life has had significance and impact.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
Love the Lord your God with all your heat and with all your soul
and with all your mind and with all your strength.
The second is this, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself”. There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:30-31
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that Teen Challenge would continue to make disciples and transform lives through their ministry. Pray that God would use them powerfully to bring the gospel of life to desperate and needy people.
¥ Pray that God would use your church and you personally to reach out to many people wit the gospel of life. Pray that your church would be serious about the Great Commission.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. How can Xavier find satisfaction in his work life so far?
2. What can he do to find satisfaction in work from this point forward?
3. What do you think the outcome of Xavier’s search will be?
4. How can the church support and minster to Xavier?
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Read Ecclesiastes 2:17. John 6:27. 1 Corinthians 15:58
As a young man fresh out of school I landed a job in an insurance company in the city. That meant travelling to the city on a train each morning. After only about 2 weeks of travelling to and from work I began to see the futility of such a life. For the next 40-50 years I would be waking up early, getting on a train, going to work, doing my work, catching a train home, spending a bit of time at home and then doing it all again tomorrow. Even though I loved my job, I could see my life turning into a weekend existence. As a non-believer the thought of such a cold existence made me shudder. It seemed so totally futile.
I suspect that many people are stuck in a similar rut of just existing. They go to work. They come home. They do it all again tomorrow. They live for the weekend, for that party or for the annual holiday. Most of the year is a pointless, endless treadmill existence that really has no meaning or value except to gain money to buy a few things to make life that little bit more bearable.
Jesus turns the whole situation upside down. As the crowds that feasted on the loaves and fishes chased Jesus around the lake He told them not to work for food that spoils but to labour for food that endures to eternal life. Earning money to buy food and “things” is not sinful but has little eternal value. The food that endures to eternal life is to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and to worship Him.
What Jesus was saying is that our life is not to centre around the pursuit of life’s necessities such as food but rather should be centred around Him. Paul concurs with this in 1 Corinthians 15:58. Having just given a detailed proof for the resurrection of Jesus, he now tells the believers to stand firm in their faith. They should not let anything move them from Christ Jesus because their labour in the Lord is never in vain.
Here is the key the turns a treadmill existence into a meaningful life. When we centre our life around Christ and serve Him our daily work becomes a service to God. As we work with all of our heart and soul, working as though we are serving God not man, we bring glory to God. Work becomes an opportunity to serve the Lord and to bless others. It also becomes a mission field in which we can make disciples for Jesus’ sake. Hard work, discipline, honesty and integrity never go unnoticed.
Everything changes when we serve the Lord at work. Our income becomes a means to serve the Lord. Tithing becomes a fragrant offering acceptable to the Lord, not a heart wrenching exercise. The annual holidays even take on a whole new air of importance. Many a believer has spent their annual leave on mission, some local and some international.
Your work and your daily grind takes on a whole new dimension of significance when you serve God wholeheartedly.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
Therefore my brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labour in the Lord is never in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the work of Creation Research as they continue to teach and educate people about the truthfulness of creation. Pray that God would continue to open doors for them both in Australia and oversees. Pray that they would see many come to faith in Christ through their work.
¥ Pray that God would continue to bless the work of PIM - Presbyterian Inland Mission. Pray that each padre would be well equipped and resourced and that they would have open doors to share their faith in outback towns and stations.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
After Xavier’s work accident, he has told the minister of the church that he’s not going to waste his life just working. He’s going to enjoy every minute of it. He then tells you that he won’t be at church for 2 Sondays each month because of this.
1. How do you counsel Xavier?
2. What is good/bad about Xavier’s view of life?
3. What is good/bad about Xavier’s view of work?
As a young man fresh out of school I landed a job in an insurance company in the city. That meant travelling to the city on a train each morning. After only about 2 weeks of travelling to and from work I began to see the futility of such a life. For the next 40-50 years I would be waking up early, getting on a train, going to work, doing my work, catching a train home, spending a bit of time at home and then doing it all again tomorrow. Even though I loved my job, I could see my life turning into a weekend existence. As a non-believer the thought of such a cold existence made me shudder. It seemed so totally futile.
I suspect that many people are stuck in a similar rut of just existing. They go to work. They come home. They do it all again tomorrow. They live for the weekend, for that party or for the annual holiday. Most of the year is a pointless, endless treadmill existence that really has no meaning or value except to gain money to buy a few things to make life that little bit more bearable.
Jesus turns the whole situation upside down. As the crowds that feasted on the loaves and fishes chased Jesus around the lake He told them not to work for food that spoils but to labour for food that endures to eternal life. Earning money to buy food and “things” is not sinful but has little eternal value. The food that endures to eternal life is to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and to worship Him.
What Jesus was saying is that our life is not to centre around the pursuit of life’s necessities such as food but rather should be centred around Him. Paul concurs with this in 1 Corinthians 15:58. Having just given a detailed proof for the resurrection of Jesus, he now tells the believers to stand firm in their faith. They should not let anything move them from Christ Jesus because their labour in the Lord is never in vain.
Here is the key the turns a treadmill existence into a meaningful life. When we centre our life around Christ and serve Him our daily work becomes a service to God. As we work with all of our heart and soul, working as though we are serving God not man, we bring glory to God. Work becomes an opportunity to serve the Lord and to bless others. It also becomes a mission field in which we can make disciples for Jesus’ sake. Hard work, discipline, honesty and integrity never go unnoticed.
Everything changes when we serve the Lord at work. Our income becomes a means to serve the Lord. Tithing becomes a fragrant offering acceptable to the Lord, not a heart wrenching exercise. The annual holidays even take on a whole new air of importance. Many a believer has spent their annual leave on mission, some local and some international.
Your work and your daily grind takes on a whole new dimension of significance when you serve God wholeheartedly.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
Therefore my brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labour in the Lord is never in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the work of Creation Research as they continue to teach and educate people about the truthfulness of creation. Pray that God would continue to open doors for them both in Australia and oversees. Pray that they would see many come to faith in Christ through their work.
¥ Pray that God would continue to bless the work of PIM - Presbyterian Inland Mission. Pray that each padre would be well equipped and resourced and that they would have open doors to share their faith in outback towns and stations.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
After Xavier’s work accident, he has told the minister of the church that he’s not going to waste his life just working. He’s going to enjoy every minute of it. He then tells you that he won’t be at church for 2 Sondays each month because of this.
1. How do you counsel Xavier?
2. What is good/bad about Xavier’s view of life?
3. What is good/bad about Xavier’s view of work?
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