fullness of life sample chapter 2 (v2)

Jesus in the

workplaceBy Richard Martin

Scripture

Proverbs 31: 10-31

The fullness of life | 23

Let’s Focus:I have bosses who set targets, decide policies, establishthe ethos, hire and fire. They are under pressure fromthe LEA and OFSTED. To what extent do I support theleadership team in their decisions, popular or not? Towhat extent do I take the side of the staff? Is it possibleto be friendly with managers, and even to offerpastoral care?

Some of my colleagues are Christians. We communicatevia an email distribution list for prayer requests. Othershave Christian sympathies or a church background, andare supportive of celebrating Christmas in a ‘religious’ way.Some are members of other faiths, are agnostic or overtlyatheist. In this context, my first duty is to be accepted as afellow professional. There is no room for an incompetentmember of staff who drags the school’s results down.Nonetheless, I want to bring something “extra”, forexample, offering to help with difficult or boringadministrative tasks, sharing resources, giving a listeningear, and befriending the non-teaching staff.

I work with students and their parents, especially in thesixth form. They buy into our ethos; they could take theircustom elsewhere. My responsibility is to give them theoutcome they require in a form that they enjoy. However Ihave to maintain standards of dress, behaviour, and work.The customer is not always right! Being a Christian meansthere is a balance to be found.

24 | The fullness of life

Let’s Reflect:Workplace evangelism is about availability to God and people. Thereading from Proverbs is a description of an ideal wife but I think it alsooutlines the qualities of an ideal employee. Teaching in a state schooloften presents challenges which are common to other workplaces.

Availability to God is about taking up opportunities to serve, and infusingthem with Christian values as far as possible. Most of the Christianactivities I am involved with at work arise ‘by chance’: I supplied biscuitswhen the canteen stopped bringing biscuits to the staff-room, peoplerecognised that as a kind act; I was invited to speak at the Christmasassembly, because I am known for my faith. If I waited for the perfectevangelistic opportunity, or tried to engineer it, I would probably neverstart. I try to say “yes” to God, believing that he has placed me in myworkplace and knows how best to use my gifts there. Mary’s example(Luke 1:38) affirms this approach.

Availability to people means responding to their questions and lettingthem grow at their own pace. It means caring for people as wholepersons, inside and outside of work,and representing their interests. It means respecting the individualityof each person, treating the after-school cleaner in the same way asyou would the Chair ofGovernors. The nextconversation could be the keyone – be ready. The risenJesus appeared to hisdisciples when they leastexpected him, in a formthey did not recognise: we


must not let him walk on, uninvited, into the night (Luke 24:28).

This attitude of availability means that the actions which you hoped mightoccasion conversations about Christ do not do so, but that God is able touse you to respond to the unexpected. Being obedient to God’sprompting is the key to effective discipleship. Paul’s vision at Troas (Acts16: 9) and Peter’s at Joppa (Acts 10:10) show that God calls us to newpossibilities when we are faithfully fulfilling our calling.

Workplace evangelism is first of all being good news; before one cantell good news, you have to be a respected colleague. The incompetentreligious fanatic cuts no ice among professionals. Paul was able to holddown a place as a partner in a tent-making business (Acts 18:3); he didnot compromise the standards of his work because he was too busypreaching. Christians are called to professional development andexcellence.

Integrity is the key; the workplaceis second only to the home inshowing what you are really like,day after day. Evangelism which isnot matched by lifestyle will soonbe discredited. We willsometimes be called upon to gothe extra mile, attendingmeetings outside hours,working at home, interruptingholiday: we should do so, andmore (Matthew 6:41). However,in protecting others we mustalso protect ourselves. Rest isprescribed for everyone(Exodus 20:8-11), and definesthe work-life balance we are


to expect of ourselves, ourcolleagues and ourmanagers.

Workplace evangelismmust therefore be rootedin godly habits andimmersed in prayer.There are no shortcutsto holiness, we have totake up our cross everyday and follow (Luke9:23). It can be difficult,early in the morning, tofind the words to prayfor our workplace. TheLord’s Prayer (Matthew6:9-13) is all we need.It places us first andforemost in thebusiness of hallowingGod’s name and seeking his rule. It then asks that God’s will berevealed to us and through us. We ask for the resources we need forthe day, and for good, healthy relationships, even with people who aredifficult. The prayer forces us to recognise our frailty and need forprotection. Jesus lived incognito for 30 years before he was called topreach: this was the prayer he used in those years, as well as duringhis ministry.

God has called you to your workplace to do something only you can dothere. Maybe He will call you on from there in due time, but today that iswhere He has placed you. Today could be the day when your actions,your words, make an eternal difference. Are you ready?


Let’s Discuss:

1. Verse 12 of our reading can lead us to ask 'what is our attitudeto our workplace and our employers?' Optimists are goodproponents for sharing good news at work. Do you seekexcellence in all you do or do you bring negativity, complaintand resistance to change?

2. We know from verse 16 that the wife (employee) has the meansand ability to buy and cultivate land. In effect she is a goodsteward of God's resources, and is therefore recognised as awitness to God's provision. Is your integrity held high in yourwork-place?

3. Does verse 20 challenge you? Our attitude to our colleagues isimportant; showing concern about their lives outside work is away of supporting them. Do you regard them as machines whoturn up and switch on each day, or as vulnerable but valuablepersons? Do you pray for them?



4. In a sense one could read verse 24 as being about value. Ourattitudes towards our customers or clients are important. Arethey potential victims to be exploited, or partners to benurtured? To what extent is your transaction a mutuallyenjoyable and beneficial experience? What are yourstandards? Where do you draw the line in business ethics?

5. Respect is important to all of us. What does verse 31 challengeyou to do in terms of respecting others?

Action:John is a colleague who trained me in imaginative use of computers withyoung people. Soon after I arrived at the school he had time off becausehis wife had given birth to a very premature baby. Eventually Johnreturned to work and we had a brief conversation.

A few months later John approached me to say that he and his wife hadbeen to the local Church to enquire about having the baby christened,but that the vicar had recommended a thanksgiving. What is thedifference, he asked, between thanksgiving and baptism? I gave John acopy of the baptism service, pointing out the promises he would need tomake in it. He went away promising to read it and to attend the localChurch’s family services.

After a few weeks I asked how he was finding the services. He said theywere very enjoyable and that the vicar had an excellent way of involvingeveryone. He said they had decided to go for a baptism, and that thevicar had agreed.

A year or so later, John asked me what confirmation was about. Again Itried to explain, and gave him a copy of the service. Soon he told me thathe had decided to be confirmed. Frequently thereafter John would tell meabout his Church and the activities he had taken part in.

When John left the school, he gave me a card. It thanked me for ourfriendship, “but above all, for re-awakening my faith”.

Prayer:Loving Lord, enable me to be a consistent witness at work.Inspire me to seek out the needy in spirit. Equip me torespond to their needs in an appropriate manner. By yourgrace, give me the humility to encourage and uplift thosewho rightly deserve praise. Amen.



I remember the first time I prepared to lead a bible study; I was 22years old and went bald! Well, I think that was down to naturerather than the preparation. However, it was scary as well asexciting. Ring a bell? Then read on….

The scriptures are littered with stories of God's people being called to do something they feel they are not humanly capable of. Yet it issimilarly littered with outcomes of God's people completing what Hehas called them to undertake and the blessing therein.

So let's take those fears and chill a bit, in the knowledge that God will help you, as he has helped countless others.

Part of my ministry as an evangelist over the past 10 years has beento encourage and enable, so be encouraged that the Lord ismoulding you in leadership. In my experience it helps to know thatyou do not have to be an expert on the Bible or even a collegeprofessor! Essentially it is all about preparation and discussion. AllowGod to enable you by His Holy Spirit to lead you with confidence anddiscernment. Therefore in order to offer some help to you, I have setout below some of the things that have aided me in leading studies in the past.

Supporting Notes

for Individuals and

Group Leaders

Before you begin Studying the scriptures and exploring other people’s experiences ofevangelism can be for some, very exciting; for others it can be verydaunting indeed.

I have put together some suggestions that may help you as youprepare to get the most out of The Fullness of Life. We hopethat each week you will be stimulated through the scriptures andthrough the content on the Web. To find out more about how allof our Evangelists and staff are working at transforming lives andcommunities visit http://www.churcharmy.org.uk/people to see videos of ministry in action.

Each of our contributors to these studies has carefully thoughtthrough how you can apply this learning in your own life and context,in order to engage in evangelism. Their questions are designed tochallenge and encourage action.



Studying as an individual Pray: Before you begin each study, ask the Lord to guide you and openyour mind. Give yourself time to allow God to stabilise your inner self sothat you can apply what you are learning in your life.

Time: Give yourself space to learn; the studies are designed that youcan learn at a pace that suits you. It may help you to briefly read allseven studies before you begin; this may help you to think about wherethe studies will take you.

Bible: Having your own Bible is important as it will be a book that youwill be familiar with. The version that you find most helpful is the bestone to use. All Bible verses quoted in these studies are from the NewInternational Version.

Notes: Make notes within eachstudy. Remember there are nowrong answers; the beautyabout our relationship withGod is that He illuminatesour life and inspires us bythe Holy Spirit. So jotdown your response tothe question honestly.


Studying as a group For the leader: These notes may be of some help as you prepare tolead the group either for the first time or as a seasoned veteran!

Preparation: Groups are naturally formed of individuals, so beencouraged to follow the points suggested for individuals, as youprepare for your group study. In this way you will find your learning ingroup study deepens through your preparation.

Participation: Discussion is by far the best form of learning.Remember that as the leader you will need to ensure that everyonehas their say. No answer is wrong! Share how God is teaching you,how He is encouraging/challenging you, and how He is doing that with others.

Be focussed: Stick to the study material being discussed for thatweek. It has been my intention that you only have to use the scripturesreferred to. There is no need to look up commentaries or other views.The core essence of these studies is to reflect upon the evangelisticexample given. Therefore the paramount questions of the study are:How can I do this? How do I apply this?

Listen: Encouraging all that listening to other members of a group is asimportant as contributing. If you have an attentive ear, you may besurprised at how much you can learn from others. In parish ministry Iwas always amazed at how the quiet person sometimes came with asuggestion that was as a blast of fresh air.

A balanced input: As group leader you should be able to ensure allhave the chance to contribute. It is important that we ensure thatindividuals do not dominate the discussions. The eagerness one has toshare can often be at the cost of others not having time to respond.Therefore encourage one another; after all, the Christian journey reallyshould not be about outsmarting each other.

Involve God: God wants to share with each of us; His desire to see usevangelise. Be open to the Holy Spirit talking to you and to your fellowgroup mates. Most of all have fun discovering new boundaries.

Supporting Church Army Your prayers and financial support are vital to the success of Church Armyministry. There are many ways in which you can partner with us - at home, in church, with friends, by joining us in prayer, making a regulardonation or even with a bequest in your Will.

Make a regular donation A regular gift enables us to plan with confidence, as well as reducing ouradministrative and banking costs.

Whether you choose to give towards Church Army's general funds or to support a particular evangelist or project, knowing that we can count on your regulardonation makes budgeting easier and improves the effectiveness of our ministry.

Make a one-off donation £15 - would enable a Church Army evangelist to minister with children and young

people through a school assembly or after-school club.£25 - would fund a prayer group for homeless people at a Church Army project.£50 - would provide a three course meal for 30 isolated older people at one of

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Pray for usYou can receive a prayer diary in paper format by ticking the box opposite, orelectronically by going to www.churcharmy.org.uk/pub/support/prayer/ePrayer-signup.asp

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fullness of life sample chapter 2 (v2)

Documents

incompetentmember of

attitude of availability

nonteaching staff

christian values

christian meansthere

fullness of lifelets

wethe fullness of life

way asyou