Working Challenges

Six studies on the Sermon on the Mount looking at key challenges at work

Week 1

The Challenge of Our Character at Work

Matthew 5:1-12

The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' most famous sermon and is recorded in the Bible in Matthew 5-7. We are going to look at it to see what it teaches us about various challenges we face in our workplaces.

The Sermon on the Mount is about:

1. Kingdom Living - Jesus is addressing his disciples (5:1-2) rather than outsiders. Jesus is not outlining the way to be saved, but the way God's saved people should live.

2. Horizontal and Vertical Living - There are lots of references to God as our Father in the sermon - the vertical relationship. And yet the sermon is very practical - about our horizontal relationships with other people. You can't divorce the two dimensions from each other.

3. Counter-cultural Living - Jesus' teaching is radical and often the very opposite of what the world says.

Introduction:

What character qualities are most needed at work to impress the people you work with?

What character qualities at work do you think are most needed to impress Jesus?

Understanding the Beatitudes:

Read Matthew 5:1-12

Each of the Beatitudes starts with the word "Blessed". What do you think it actually means?

Are Jesus' Beatitudes similar or different to people's views at work? Give examples.

Applying the Beatitudes to work:

If the Beatitudes describe the character that Jesus wants us to have, what do each of the Beatitudes mean, and how do they apply in our workplace?

Which Beatitude is most of a challenge to you as you seek to live as a Christian in your workplace?

What resolutions will you make about your character at work for 2008? Ask God to help you in this.