Living for Jesus at work: Bible study guide

Living for Jesus at work

Bible study guide

First published in the United Kingdom 2022

Evangelical Alliance

176 copenhagen Street London N1 0ST

© Evangelical Alliance 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of external websites, legal references and resource suggestions included in this book. Neither the author nor publisher are responsible for the content or continued availability of these sites and resources. Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicised copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 Biblica. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, a Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of Biblica UK trademark number 1448790.

Acknowledgements

With thanks to Joanna Evans as lead author. Special thanks to danny Webster and Mark Bainbridge. The resource is produced by the Evangelical Alliance and Lawyers’ christian Fellowship.

Introduction

The Living for Jesus at work resource has been developed to equip and encourage christians to live out their faith in the workplace.

Jesus tells us that the most important commandment is to “love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37), closely followed by “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). We are to use our whole lives to love and serve the Lord, including our work, and to care for those in our workplaces.

For many of us, it is the place where we interact most with those who do not yet know Him. We are to live as salt and light, talking with our colleagues about Jesus, influencing our organisations and encouraging integrity in how the organisation acts. This isn’t easy, but it is our calling to live for Jesus at work.

This series of Bible studies can be done by yourself, or even better, with a group, to help you see God’s calling for you in your workplace as you deep dive into the riches of His word. We pray you will be challenged by God’s truth, encouraged by His love, and ultimately feel more confident as you seek to live and speak up for Jesus at work.

1. Good foundations

In this session, we are going to be thinking about the attitudes of our hearts, which are the foundations on which we build our work lives. By exploring colossians, we can start to think about the way we work, the way we treat others at work, and who we are ultimately working for.

Setting the scene

What does living for Jesus at work mean to you? What is the first thing you think of?

Read Colossians 3:1–17, and verses 22–24 – Called to work for the Lord

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

– Colossians 3:23

Discuss

If this passage was perfectly lived out, how would that impact:

• the way you do your work? (v22–24)

• the way you interact with colleagues and other people you come across at work? (v1–17)

• the way you would react if someone else made a mistake in their work? (v12–14)

• the way you felt on a particularly good or particularly bad day?

Points for prayer

• Pray that you would work “as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

• Pray that you would clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love.

• Pray that you would fix your eyes on Jesus, remembering that our lives are now “hidden with Christ in God.”

Takeaway

This week, at the start of every day, make a list of all the work tasks you are worried about or that cause you stress. Lift each one up to the Lord in prayer and ask for His help as you work to glorify Him.

2. Workplace culture

Reflect

How did last week go? Did you lift your work up to the Lord? Did any encouragement come from doing that?

In this session, we are going to be thinking about what it means to be in the world but not of the world when it comes to our workplaces. We want to see how we can stand out for Jesus, while investing in the people God has placed us to work with.

Setting the scene

• How would you describe your workplace culture?

• In what ways does your christian faith make you feel distant from your workplace culture?

• In what ways does your christian faith allow you to relate to the current culture?

Read Jeremiah 29:1–14 – Called to seek the welfare of the city

Discuss

• What are the circumstances of the Israelites in this passage?

• How can similarities be drawn to God’s people in the UK today?

• What are God’s people told to do while they wait to return to the promised land? (v4-9)

• What would it look like for you to be doing this in your place of work?

• Verses 8 and 9 talk about not being deceived. What lies about your purpose or worth do you have to guard against in your workplace?

• God’s plan was always to bless the nations through His people (Genesis 22:18). How does this passage help us to know how to bless people in our workplaces?

Points for prayer

• Pray for a few people by name who you particularly want to invest time in and bless in your workplace.

• Pray that you would be excited for Jesus’ return and live for Him while you wait.

• Pray that you would not believe the lies shared in your workplace, remembering that your purpose and worth come from God.

Takeaway

This week, invite one of the people you have prayed for to go for a coffee, lunch, or break together. Invest time and try to get to know them a little bit better.

3. Living out your faith

Reflect

How did last week go? Did you go for a coffee with anyone? How was it? Were you able to establish a deeper connection? Are you going to go again?

In this session, we are going to start thinking about what it might look like to share the good news of Jesus with our colleagues. We are going to think about how we explain what we believe, and why the way we conduct ourselves at work should reflect our christian faith.

Here are some verses from the Bible that help encapsulate the gospel (good news) we believe:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” – John 3:36

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3

Top tip

Sharing our testimony will be best received if we have spent time investing in our colleagues and asking to hear their stories. Evangelism is often 10% talking, 90% listening!

Setting the scene

How did you first come to believe the good news of Jesus? What aspect of God’s character, and what He has done for you, was most precious to you in that moment?

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11–21 – Called to be Christ’s ambassadors

Discuss

• Go through the passage and pick out each piece of good news.

• What does it mean for us to be christ’s ambassadors? (v20)

• How might insecurities creep in at work?

• How can this passage inform our identities, and protect us from insecurity at work? (v17–20)

• What will help us as we seek to carry out this “ministry of reconciliation”? (v18)

Points for prayer

• Praise God for what He has done for us through Jesus.

• Pray that you would find your security and identity in Jesus.

• Pray for God’s help as you seek to be an ambassador for Christ and pray for opportunities to share your story.

• Is there a colleague on your mind who you would love to see come to know Jesus? Pray for them by name.

Takeaway

This week, if someone asks you what you did at the weekend, or about your plans for the one ahead, mention church and share something you love about your church family or from the teaching that has struck you.

4. Navigating contentious issues

Reflect

How did last week go? Did you talk to anyone about church? What was their reaction?

In this session, we are going to think through how to deal with issues of conscience that may come up in the workplace. It is important to remember that context is crucial. Issues may be dealt with differently depending on our relationships with those we work with, and the contexts we work in. What is vital is that we remain united in our desire to speak and live in a way that points our colleagues towards Jesus.

Setting the scene

What are some issues you are likely to encounter in your workplace which could lead to contention or conflict for your conscience as a christian? Have you had any experience of this in the past?

Read 1 Peter 3:8–22 – Called to be prepared

Discuss

When we encounter difficult situations, how does this passage say we should conduct ourselves as christians:

• towards one another? (v8–9)

• in the way we act? (v10–11)

• in the way we speak? (v15–16)

Verse 15 says: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

• What would it look like to be prepared?

• What would it look like to give an answer with gentleness and respect?

• How might listening help?

Read “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” – 1 Peter 2:12

Reflect

• What should our motivation be in all of this?

Points for prayer

• Thank God that He hears our prayers. Ask that He would make us good listeners like Him.

• Pray that your colleagues would come to know Jesus and that they would glorify God with their lives!

• Ask God for wisdom for how to respond in tricky situations.

• Pray that you would be known for your gentleness and respect – ask for God’s help in this.

Takeaway

We want Christians to be known for the way we enrich the workplace. This week, why not bring in a treat that everyone could enjoy – for example, a box of doughnuts.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5

5. Support for Christians in the workplace

Reflect

How did last week go? Did you treat your colleagues? What was their reaction?

This session is all about how we persevere as christians in the workplace. We are going to reflect on everything that we’ve learnt and thought about so far. Think back across the previous sessions and think about what you want to take forward with you.

Setting the scene

What can make living for Jesus at work hard?

Read Hebrews 10:19–25 – Called to persevere

Discuss

• What are all the things made available to us because of Jesus?

• This passage warns us that remaining faithful to God won’t be easy – how does it tell us to persevere? (v24-25)

• As christians, how can we encourage one another to “love and do good deeds”:

· at work?

· at church?

Points for prayer

• Thank God for anything you’ve learnt about Him or that has reminded you of Him in these sessions.

• Thank God for your church or your Christian friends. If you are doing this study in a group, thank God for each other!

• Pray again for any colleagues who have been particularly on your heart and mind during these sessions – that God would provide opportunities for you to talk to them about Jesus.

• Ask God to help you “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” in Him.

Takeaway

What have you been encouraged by in this last week? Why don’t you send a text to a Christian friend who is also trying to live for Jesus at work, tell them about this resource and encourage them to keep going!

Evangelical Alliance

The Evangelical Alliance joins together hundreds of organisations, thousands of churches and tens of thousands of individuals to make Jesus known. Representing our members since 1846, the Evangelical Alliance is the oldest and largest evangelical unity movement in the UK. United in mission and voice, we exist to serve and strengthen the work of the church in our communities and throughout society. Highlighting the significant opportunities and challenges facing the church today, we are committed to sharing fresh ideas, celebrating best practice and catalysing innovation throughout the evangelical community and beyond.

Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship

Established in 1852 as a prayer union, and subsequently renamed the “Lawyers’ christian Fellowship” (the LcF), the LcF has a long history of uniting and equipping christian lawyers. Today, the LcF has a growing membership of more than 1,500 christian lawyers and law students, with a network of groups spanning Britain, and international links which are particularly strong in east Africa. As a fellowship and individually, LcF members support christians and christian organisations through the services they provide and resources they produce, including their popular Find-aLawyer service and the Speak Up resource produced in conjunction with the Evangelical Alliance. More information about the LcF is available on their website lawcf.org. please contact the LcF if you would like to support the work that they do.