by Os Hillman
As time went on, Jonathan became the marketplace representative in the group. He decided to allocate a portion of the profits from his company to the goal of city transformation—which is where Jim, the employee in his shipping department, comes in. Jonathan asked him to allocate a portion of his paid work time to this effort, and Jim became the transformation director for the company.
The big event that the company is planning at the moment is a citywide prayer gathering. Jim is the point person. Jonathan’s company decided to rent the stadium in the city in order to rally all of the churches and marketplace community around a day of prayer. In the process, pastors are beginning to become more unified with the marketplace ministries and business leaders in the city. It is becoming one of the most exciting things Jonathan has done through his company.
Finally, the last member of the 411 Committee sitting around the table this morning is Gwen, the director of Compassion for the City. Several years ago, Jonathan read in his Bible about how Jesus did not turn his head from the down-and-out of society, but had compassion for them and responded to their needs. Jonathan recognized that there was a big problem in San Marco. Many people were homeless in the city, and many others lacked the basic necessities of life.
At first, Jonathan assumed that other ministries were taking care of this need. But then he had an idea. He wondered what some of the major packaged-goods companies did with their excess or damaged goods. He made a few phone calls and found that some of the companies actually threw away some of these damaged goods. He could not believe this. He wanted to use these resources for the impoverished people of San Marco, so he decided to see if the companies would give their excess and damaged goods to him so that he could channel them to some of the downtown ministries.
Little did Jonathan know at the time that this would lead to the establishment of Compassion for the City. Now in its third year, Compassion for the City will distribute more than $100 million in goods through the urban ministries in their city. They have even sent goods overseas to Iraq and other needy parts of the world. Gwen, who is now the director of Compassion for the City, also happens to be one of the key intercessors in Jonathan’s company.
It is now 6:00 P.M. and Jonathan is driving home from a full day of work. There was a time in his life when he seldom arrived home in time for dinner. His two kids never saw him. Rarely does he get home later than 6:30 P.M. now, which is certainly an improvement, as far as his family is concerned.
This represents a big change in Jonathan’s life. He is a shaker-mover kind of guy who is motivated for success, but it almost cost him his family. A good friend challenged him one day by saying, “Jonathan, you are a great guy. You do so much for the community. You are successful. But you are blowing it with your family. If you continue down this path, you will wake up one day and have a rebellion in your household. Your kids will be seeking love in all the wrong places and your wife could leave you.” His words cut Jonathan to the core. He realized that what his friend was saying was true. He saw how his wife and kids were becoming disconnected from him. He had been a committed Christian, but his business success had become too important to him.
Jonathan began to get help to discover the origin of his workaholism. He found that it was rooted in fear from the early days of his life when his father had died and the family insurance company failed to pay. His mother would often say that they did not have enough money for the needs of the family. Jonathan recalls saying to himself that he never wanted to experience that again. Jonathan decided to take a course at his church on generational strongholds. This led to freedom from this fear, and his work habits began to change.
Jonathan will tell you that his life is very different from what it used to be. His company is truly a Kingdom company. He does not know what the future holds, but he does know Who holds the future. He feels privileged to be a partner in business with the Lord Jesus.
This story is a realistic composite of the many lives profiled in this book. It gives us a glimpse into how we can experience the power of our staff when we experience Jesus’ presence and power in and through all aspects of our lives—especially our work lives. God has called you to be in an intimate and exciting relationship with Him. He wants to use you to transform lives, workplaces, cities and nations.
Are you ready to begin?
BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Part I: Understanding Your Call
Chapter 1
Satan’s Deceptions About Your Work
1. In the first chapter, there is a story about John Wigington, who went to Bible school but felt he really wanted to be in business. Why do you think most people who are committed to Christ feel guilty being in business?
2. The chapter lists the following four deceptions that most people believe about ministry and calling:
(1) Our jobs are not spiritual; they are useful only to make money for the church.
(2) Our vocations have no spiritual authority.
(3) Our secular employment is not to be mixed with the church’s ministry activities.
(4) “Ministry” is what takes place within the four walls of the church building.
Describe the fruit of these lies and how they play out in Christians in the workplace today.
3. Read Genesis 3:17-19, which describes what was lost in the Garden when Adam and Eve sinned. Was work cursed as a result of the Fall? Describe the result of what happened to work when Adam and Eve sinned.
4. Read Luke 19:10 and Colossians 1:19-20. Describe what Jesus redeemed as a result of dying on the cross. Was it the salvation of men and women only?
5. Matthew 6:10 describes what Jesus wants to happen on Earth. Describe this prayer in your own words and what the world would look like if this prayer were answered.
6. In Matthew 21:1-3, Jesus requests the disciples to untie a donkey for Him to ride in Jerusalem. What does the donkey represent? How does that apply to you and me?
Chapter 2
Understanding Your Purpose
1. Read Ephesians 2:10. What is one reason why God created you?
2. Read Jeremiah 9:24 and Philippians 3:10, which both describe the primary reason why God created humans. What does this verse indicate to you?
3. A distinction is drawn in this chapter between a person’s skill set and the purpose for which he or she is made. Based on these comments, how would you distinguish these two concepts?
4. Why is it important to know the purpose for which God made you?
5. A distinction is also made in this chapter between understanding your purpose and understanding your anointing. Explain the difference between these two concepts.
6. R. T. Kendall provides a good explanation of how a person becomes promoted outside their anointing. What happens when a person seeks to go outside of his or her God-given anointing?
7. Read 1 Corinthians 7:20. What do you think Paul is saying in this verse?
Chapter 3
Finding Your Purpose
1. Read Exodus 4:2-17. What does the staff represent in Moses’ life? What was the first thing Moses had to do after God asked him, “What is that in your hand?” What is the implication for you and me?
2. Read 1 Samuel 9:6. What were some of the circumstances leading up to Saul being selected as the first king of Israel? Where were Moses and Saul when God came to them? What are some of the ways God comes to people in their work lives?
3. In his book Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing His Will, Henry Blackaby writes, “You cannot go with God and stay where you are.” In other words, God must change you if you are to fulfill His purpose in your life. How do you think this plays out in the lives of Christians in the workplace?
4. Bob Mumford once said, “Beware of any Christian who does not walk with a limp.” What do you think he means by that?
5. Name each of the four key tests that Joseph had to go through. Read Psalm 55:12-14. Which of the four key tests in the Joseph Process does this describe? According to this chapter, what is the only way to p
ass the test of purity?
6. Read John 10:11 and 12:25. What qualities of leadership are necessary to see God work in your work life?
7. Read Colossians 3:17, 23-24. What will you receive if you are faithful to your work-life call?
Chapter 4
Four Attributes of an Effective Workplace Witness
1. Name the four attributes of a workplace witness that are cited in this chapter.
2. Read Daniel 1:19-20 and 6:1-3. What type of workers were Daniel and his friends?
3. Read Psalm 15. Describe the key characteristics of the person described in this psalm. What happens when a Christian fails to live an ethical life?
4. Someone once said, “People don’t care how much you know as much as how much you care.” Read Matthew 20:28. How does this comment relate to Jesus’ words in that verse?
5. Read John 14:12. What does it mean to “do what Jesus did” in the context of your working life? Do miracles replace your work ethic? How would you define the importance of both concepts?
6. Could a non-Christian model all four of these characteristics? Why or why not?
Chapter 5
Four Types of Christians
1. Name four Christians who have had a significant impact on the world in the last 100 years. How many of these people that you listed were vocational ministry workers or work-place Christians?
2. Approximately 40 percent of the American population claims to be born again. Coca-Cola has a 40 percent market share in the soft drink industry. Do you think Christians have the same level of impact on the world as Coca-Cola has on its industry? Why or why not?
3. Ed Silvoso describes the following types of Christians in the workplace:
(1) The Christian who is simply trying to survive.
(2) The Christian who is living by Christian principles.
(3) The Christian who is living by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(4) The Christian who is transforming his or her workplace for Christ.
Read Ecclesiastes 2:20, 22-23. What type of Christian does this describe?
4. The second type of Christian is one who lives by Christian principles. Do you think this a good idea or a bad one? Describe why it may not be ideal.
5. Read 1 Corinthians 2:4-5. What distinction is Paul trying to make to the Corinthians?
6. What does God require from you in order to be one of those Christians who transforms his or her workplace for Christ? Describe some action steps that would be necessary to see your workplace transformed.
Chapter 6
The Religious Spirit and the Workplace
1. Dr. Peter Wagner defines a religious spirit as “an agent of Satan assigned to prevent change and maintain the status quo by using religious devices.” Name some religious devices that might keep change from happening in a workplace situation.
2. Read 2 Corinthians 11:3. What do you think Paul is saying in this verse?
3. Read Galatians 3:1-5. What kind of human effort is Paul describing to the Galatians?
4. Name four examples of how the religious spirit shows up in the workplace.
5. Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. Spiritual strongholds seek to have you meet your primary needs through that stronghold. Describe how this happens.
6. Read Ephesians 3:16-18. What is Paul praying for in this passage? How might a spiritual stronghold keep you from experiencing this prayer?
Chapter 7
Bringing God to the 9 to 5 Window
1. For years, the organized church has focused their overseas mission efforts in reaching “The 10/40 Window,” a region where there are more unreached people groups than anywhere else in the world. What would be the implications if God had a revival among those in the 9 to 5 Window?
2. A subscriber to the TGIF devotional states, “I never really considered my secular work as a ministry…. Now I feel I have as much a ministry as my pastor. I simply have a different mission field.” What does this quote say about equality in calling? Does it lessen the vocational ministry worker or raise the non-vocational worker to a new spiritual level? Describe the distinctions between the two callings.
3. According to the evidence presented in this chapter, what is the reason a move of God has taken place in the public corporations of America?
4. George Barna says, “Workplace ministry will be one of the core future innovations in church ministry.” How might this new focus change the way churches equip men and women for their calling in the workplace? What do you think will result from this new emphasis by the local church?
5. Dallas Willard states, “There is truly no division between sacred and secular except what we have created.” Explain what you believe he means by this comment.
6. Dr. Wagner says, “I believe the workplace movement has the potential to impact society as much as the reformation did,” which is a remarkable statement from a Church historian. Why do you believe this statement could be true? Or not true?
Part II: Bringing God’s Power into Your Workplace
Chapter 8
Hearing the Voice of God—Even on the Job
1. Read John 10:14, 27. Based on these verses, do you think that you can expect to hear and discern God’s voice for yourself?
2. Read Acts 4:13, Luke 9:10 and Hosea 2:16, 19-20. One of the keys to discerning God’s voice is to know Jesus more intimately. What are some key points that you learn from these verses?
3. Read Revelation 21:2-9. What were some of the ways that Julian Watts and his company were intentional about coming into a new awareness that they were the Bride of Christ? What were some of the ways they were intentional about spending time in God’s presence?
4. Read 1 Peter 1:8. What are some ways you can live out this verse daily?
5. List three things you can do to develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus personally and at work.
6. List the six ways God speaks throughout the Bible. Describe some ways God has spoken to you personally.
Chapter 9
Intercessory Prayer in the Workplace
1. Read Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:12, 1 Peter 2:5, Exodus 19:6 and Romans 8:26. Based on these verses, what does it mean to intercede in prayer?
2. Describe the three different levels of praying that are discussed in this chapter.
3. Cite some of the benefits the companies in this chapter have received from having paid intercessors on their staff. How has focusing on intercession been advantageous to these companies?
4. List three ways you could incorporate prayer in your work-place.
5. Describe each of the three ways, as explained in this chapter, that intercessors can be compensated in a business and the benefits or weaknesses of each.
6. Intercessors should not be used to direct your life, but rather to confirm what God has already spoken to you. What are some other cautions to be aware of when incorporating intercessory prayer in your workplace?
Chapter 10
Receiving Only What God Gives You
1. Read John 3:27. Describe the situation that prompted John the Baptist’s response to his disciples’ question. What does his answer indicate about his understanding of his purpose?
2. The story of F. B. Meyer, in which he encouraged his congregation to go to another church, is a wonderful example of having a Kingdom perspective. What type of person would Meyer have had to be to do such a thing?
3. Read John 6:15. Jesus knew what He was to receive and when He was to receive it. How can you apply this same principle in your life?
4. Read Genesis 13:5-17. Why do you think Abraham might have been willing to give up his right as the elder and give Lot the choice land? What qualities are required in order to do this?
5. Read Ruth 1—3:15. Describe what took place when Ruth laid at Boaz’s feet compared to when she went out to glean in the fields. What is a lesson you can learn from Ruth’s example?
6. Read Numbers 20:9-11. Moses struck the rock out of anger, yet still achieved his goal of getting water from the rock. W
hat is the danger in manipulating outcomes out of your own strength? What did Moses lose in the process?
Chapter 11
Do Not Reach for the Power
1. Read Psalm 33:16-17. Why does God warn against using your own skill and power?
2. Read Psalm 33:18-19 and Ephesians 6:10. What are some cautions given in these verses?
3. Read Judges 7:2-3. Why did God not want Gideon to have a larger army?
4. Read Joshua 6:1-21. Why did God prevent Joshua from using his army to defeat the people of Jericho?
5. Read Luke 14:28-30. What is the key warning being made in these verses?
6. There almost seems to be a paradox in Scripture on using your own natural skill versus placing total faith in God. Describe the principle of withholding your natural gifting to insure God is in it.
Chapter 12
Miracles at Work
1. Read Matthew 17:20. In the story of the miracle at Gunnar Olson’s company, what were some of the steps that led him to stand against what took place? What is the difference between moving by the direction of the Holy Spirit or moving in presumption?
2. George Washington Carver was a great inventor. What did he cite as the key source of his inventions?
3. Among the several stories in this chapter, what were some common requirements for people to get their breakthrough miracles?
4. What is the difference between faith and risk?
5. What adjustments do you need to make to experience miracles in your work life?
