Does God Care About My Work?

This lesson was piloted in April 2017 by Southern California Teen Challenge, in a program for women rehabilitating from drug addiction, prison, and prostitution. To see all lessons, go to the Women's Prison Curriculum Table of Contents.

This class will help you find a job and keep it. But it’s not just about finding a job. The Bible readings and discussions in this class will help you understand the special purpose God has for you as a working woman. 

Many people sneer about ‘women’s work’ or claim that women shouldn’t work at all. But this was never true for God. From the beginning, God created women for important work. 

Discussion Question: Did your mother work for a living, or work at home? How did she talk about her work?

God himself is a worker. In Genesis 1 God created everything piece by piece. God’s favorite piece of work was human beings. God created both men and women to be like him, in his image. And just like God is a worker, God created people to be workers too.  

Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
(Genesis 1:26-27)

God creates people with a job description in mind: ruling over his creation. In fact, the first time God talks to people it’s to give them instructions about their job.

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
(Genesis 1:28)

God tells people to fill the world he created, rule over it, and make something out of it. He wants people to take care of the world and also do something with it. Just like God created everything out of nothing, God expects humans to create homes, delicious meals, and businesses out of the world he gave them.

Because God created important work for people to do, working makes you feel important. Work makes you feel fully human. Work increases your self-respect and connects you with God who is a worker. If you feel good after you make something or clean something or help someone, it’s because it’s in your DNA to work. God made you that way.

In the second chapter of Genesis, we learn more about God’s specific job description for women.

Then the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.
(Genesis 2:18)

God created the first woman to share the work with the first man. They were supposed to work together as partners. Unfortunately, many negative opinions about women and their work have come from the word ‘helper’ in this verse. Some people think a woman is only a lowly assistant to a man. But that was never God’s intention. The original Hebrew of the Bible says that the women was created as an ezer. The word ezer is used twenty-one times in the Old Testament, first to describe the woman, and then to describe powerful nations that Israel called on for help. Sixteen times in the Old Testament the word ezer refers to God. So woman isn’t a helper like a servant. Woman is a helper like a strong rescuer or a protector. Woman is a helper the same way that God is our help.

In the original language of Genesis, God not only created you to be a worker, he created you to be a strong warrior. 

Discussion Question: What do you think about these Bible passages about women? Do they have anything to do with you today?

Unfortunately, being a woman in the work world often doesn’t make you feel powerful. It can be hard to find a job, difficult to make ends meet, and you might face sexual harassment at work. That’s because the world isn’t perfect like God created it. Sin in people and in society creates problems.

When God created the world he also created limits. In Genesis 1:31-2:2 God put a limit on himself, working for only 6 days and resting on the 7th. God also gave limits to people.  “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat” (Genesis 2:16-17). Adam and Eve refused to follow God’s limits, so work became more difficult for them. Adam’s farming work, which had once made him a partner with God, became toil (Genesis 3:17-19). Meanwhile, Eve faced new challenges to “fill the earth and subdue it.” Filling the earth with children became more painful. Subduing the earth was harder because she herself would be subdued by her husband who would “rule over” her (Genesis 3:16) as a result of their shared sin.

Sin creates many ways people try to dominate each other. Even so, work itself isn’t cursed. It may be harder and more frustrating, but work is still a part of God’s good plan for you.

Discussion Question: What is the hardest problem you ever faced at a job?

In the fallen world we live in, work can be tough. But Jesus offers hope. God sent Jesus to earth to cancel curses.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us – for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” – in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
(Galatians 3:13-14)

Jesus took on the curse of sin so that every person who comes to faith also receives “the promise of the Spirit”. The promise is to restore people to the goodness for which God created them. Through Jesus you are free from the cost of sin. God also wants to restore your identity as an ezer, a beautiful warrior.

Discussion Question: Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?

God isn’t going to bring you back to your created greatness all on his own. Just like God made work a joint effort between himself and people, God asks people to help with his plan for redemption. If work is going to be more fun, more satisfying, and more godly, you have to help make that happen. There are many biblical principles in this class. By learning these principles, you will learn how you can bring God to work with you.
 
God has always counted on women to work with him. When Jesus first spread his message on earth, women financed his travels, using their money and skills to make his work possible.

He went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
(Luke 8:1-3)

Mary, Chuza, and Susanna traveled with God. With their own money, these women made Jesus’ work possible. You too can go to work with God, or take God to your future workplace.

Discussion Question: Do you relate to any of these women who followed Jesus? Why or why not? 

What’s a Calling?

This lesson was piloted in April 2017 by Southern California Teen Challenge, in a program for women rehabilitating from drug addiction, prison, and prostitution. To see all lessons, go to the Women's Prison Curriculum Table of Contents.

Did you ever hear someone talk about a job as a calling?

When people use the word calling, they usually mean that God pointed them to a particular career. Mostly this is something that pastors say. You sometimes hear doctors or artists talk about being called to their work. Some women talk about being called to unpaid work like mothering. But not always. If you have never felt a specific calling, you’re not alone.

According to the Bible, there is more than one way to be called. Everyone’s first and most important calling is to belong to Christ. Everyone is called to this. No matter who you are or what you do, you’re included.

Including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ
(Romans 1:6)

Discussion Question: What did it feel like when God called you to believe in Jesus? Did you ever feel the same way about a job?

Some people in the Bible got called to specific jobs. But most people don’t hear directly from God about the job he wants them to do. Instead, their friends or family have to point out God’s calling. This was the case of Esther, who had to have God’s plans explained to her by her cousin Mordecai: “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

 
Most heroes in the Bible didn’t hear from God at all about what work they were supposed to do. Instead, they did whatever work was in front of them. Some very faithful people in the Bible took care of other people’s animals (Genesis 29:15). One of the saints waited tables (Acts 6:2-5). Ruth took care of herself and her mother-in-law by working in the fields (Ruth 2:3).

Discussion Question: What was the last job you had? Did you feel like your work was important to God?

God does not have a preference for any particular type of work, as long as it’s an honest living. But he does care that everyone who can work should find productive work to do.

Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
(2 Thessalonians 3:10-13)

Discussion Question: Does anything surprise you from this Bible passage?

If you’re wondering what type of job to look for, here are three tips from the Bible on choosing a profession:

1) Pay attention to your unique gifts.

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us; prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
(Romans 12:6-8)

2) Pay attention to the needs around you.

I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.
(Matthew 25:35-36)

This includes the needs of your family. The Bible makes a special point that you should seek a job that provides for your family.

And whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
(1 Timothy 5:8)

3) Pay particular attention to any job that gives you joy.

He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.
(Psalm 145:19)

Discussion Question: What do you think would be the perfect job for you?

Getting Past the Past When You’re a Woman with a Record

This lesson was piloted in April 2017 by Southern California Teen Challenge, in a program for women rehabilitating from drug addiction, prison, and prostitution.  To see all lessons, go to the Women's Prison Curriculum Table of Contents.

Discussion Question: What scares you most about looking for a job?

Looking for a job has special challenges when you’re a woman with a criminal record. Employers can be afraid to hire someone with a record. For Christians, this is especially frustrating. Jesus forgave you of everything in your past, just like he forgave the woman caught in adultery (John 8:11). Jesus set you free to live a new kind of future, just like he told that woman, “Go your way, and from now on do not sin again” (John 8:11). And yet, the paper trail that follows you makes it complicated. Should you be upfront about your history? Or hide it as best you can? This is difficult moral question.

Jesus realized that difficult questions come up all the time. In fact, he warned his followers that going into the world as Christians would be difficult.

“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
(Matthew 10:16)

When you wonder what to say about your criminal record, you may feel a tension between being wise and being innocent. People who think a lot about ethics have suggested a way to think through tough moral questions like this one. You can remember the method using three Cs: Commandments, Consequences, and Character.

Commandments: What commandments apply to this situation?

Consequences: What are the consequences of each course of action?

Character: How does each action reflect on the type of person I want to be?

Let’s use the three Cs to work through this question: What do you say to a potential employer about your criminal past? And when do you say it?

First think of any commandments that relate to this situation.   Many Bible verses stress telling the truth, such as Leviticus 19:11 which says “You shall not lie to one another.” However, when truth telling conflicts with doing something else that is right, the commandment doesn’t apply. Many Bible heroes do the right thing by misleading someone else, like the heroic Hebrew midwives who lie to save baby boys (Exodus 1:15-21).

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.
(Exodus 1:15-21)

Other examples are Moses who tells Pharaoh the Hebrews are only going into the desert for a brief festival (Exodus 5:1), or David who lies several times to preserve his own life (1 Samuel 21:1-3, 12-15). To sum up, you’re commanded to tell the truth, but with exceptions to do good for yourself and others.

Next think of the consequences of any action. If you reveal on a resume that you have a criminal record, you might not get an interview. However, if the interviewer asks you about past convictions and you don’t fess up, you’ll face bigger problems when a background check comes in.

Lastly, think about how your actions might reflect on your character. What type of person do you want to be? How do you want others to see you?

Discussion Question: How do you think commandments, consequences, and character apply to talking about your criminal record on your resume or in an interview?

Job search experts give these tips for being both wise and innocent when writing resumes and interviewing for jobs.

• Don’t reference your criminal background on a resume. The purpose of a resume is to get you a job interview. Criminal history is best revealed in an interview, when you can put a positive spin on what you’ve learned from your experience.
• If a job application asks about a conviction record, you can’t lie. But you can choose to explain yourself later. In the section that asks you for details on past convictions, you can write “will explain in interview.”
• If you did any work or education in prison, you can put this on your resume.  Use the name of the facility as the employer, and write any key skills you learned. Or, if your experiences in prison are unrelated to the job you’re applying for, you can leave them off your resume. 
• When you explain your criminal record in an interview, be brief and focus on the positive: what you learned from your experience and how it will make you a good fit for the job.

Discussion Question: What did you learn from your past experience that makes you the best person for a job?

Boredom and Overcoming It

This lesson was piloted in April 2017 by Southern California Teen Challenge, in a program for women rehabilitating from drug addiction, prison, and prostitution. To see all lessons, go to the Women's Prison Curriculum Table of Contents.

Discussion Question: Have you ever had a boring job?

Both work at a job and work in the home can feel boring sometimes. This is especially true if the work you’re doing feels routine or lacks meaning. That doesn’t mean you should quit your job or give up housework forever. Instead, look to the Bible for ways to counteract boredom with work.

I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.
(Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)

If your work is repetitive, you’re likely to get bored after a while. The writer of Ecclesiastes describes work as “toil” for this very reason. But he also says that it’s God’s gift to enjoy this toil. How does God give that gift? How do we get it?

One clue comes from a seventeenth century monk who worked in the monastery kitchen. In his book The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence describes how he learned to feel God’s presence, even while washing dishes, by thinking about God's love in that moment. In a similar way, the famous nun Theresa of Lisieux practiced living in the moment to combat boredom. “If I did not simply live from one moment to another,” she wrote, “it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.”

If your work is repetitive, ask God to be with you in your work. Be present in the work you’re doing right at this moment. See if this changes your experience.

Discussion Question: What task do you do over and over? How do you feel when you’re doing it?

Sometimes boredom comes from the idea that your work isn’t meaningful. There are several people in the Bible who probably felt like this.  Esther is one of them. She spent months primping in a harem, not knowing when the king would call on her. And yet because of her boring job, she was able to save the Jewish people when crisis hit. Her cousin Mordecai guessed that she had "come to royal dignity for such a time as this." (Esther 4:14)
 
Discussion Question: What are the hidden opportunities of sticking with a boring job?

Like with Esther waiting for the king to summon her, your work may have a hidden meaning that you can’t see now. Maybe it will be revealed with time. Or maybe you can ask your family or friends if they have any ideas about the meaning of your work. Or ask God to show you the meaning. This could short-circuit boredom with work.

Lastly, if your work is really unenjoyable, let yourself cry out to God about your boredom. The psalmist writes “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1) If you are really unhappy at your job, share it with God in prayer.

Discussion Question: How have you dealt with boredom in the past? How do you plan on dealing with boredom in the future?

Bosses, Good and Bad

This lesson was piloted in April 2017 by Southern California Teen Challenge, in a program for women rehabilitating from drug addiction, prison, and prostitution. To see all lessons, go to the Women's Prison Curriculum Table of Contents.

Discussion question: What kind of bosses did you have in the past? How did you feel about them? How did you relate to them?

Hagar had a bad boss. Ruth had a good one. Most everyone who works has a boss. The Bible tells us how to deal with bosses, both good ones and bad ones.

One difficult lesson from scripture is that you have to respect your boss and work for him or her diligently, whether or not he or she is a good boss.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ; not only while being watched, and in order to please them, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free.
(Ephesians 6:5-8)

This verse encourages slaves to obey their masters and do good work, as if they were serving God and not people. The work of slaves was probably hard and uninteresting. But St. Paul tells them to do it with focus and enthusiasm. 

Working diligently and happily for your boss, whether he or she is good or bad, helps you in the end. The verse from Ephesians says that if you work as if you’re serving God, you “will receive the same again from the Lord.” In other words, there are rewards for working well. Even if your boss doesn’t plan on rewarding you, there will be a reward from God for your good work.

What’s more, God has placed certain people in power for a reason, even if we don’t know the reason. You should not retaliate against a bad boss because “it is God who executes judgement, putting down one and lifting up another” (Psalm 75:7).

God told Hagar to go back to working for her bad boss, after she had run away. In return, God promised to reward her.

The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am running away from my mistress Sarai.” The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her.” The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.”
(Genesis 16:7-10)

Hagar didn’t know everything that God was doing through her bad boss. Even though she disliked her work situation, she went back to work. She felt comforted to know that God saw her and had a plan for her (Genesis 16:13).

Discussion Question: Do you relate to Hagar in any way? What do you think of her story? 

Ruth had a good boss, whose name was Boaz. He made sure Ruth got what she needed, and he protected her from sexual harassment. Ruth showed her gratitude by speaking to him humbly and by working extra hard.

“I have ordered the young men not to bother you. If you get thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.” Then she fell prostrate, with her face to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?... May I continue to find favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, even though I am not one of your servants.”
(Ruth 2:9-10, 13)

Discussion Question: What does Ruth’s story tell you about working for a good boss? How are you similar to Ruth? How are you different from her?

Fights with Coworkers

This lesson was piloted in April 2017 by Southern California Teen Challenge, in a program for women rehabilitating from drug addiction, prison, and prostitution. To see all lessons, go to the Women's Prison Curriculum Table of Contents.

Discussion Question: Have you ever had a fight with someone you worked with? What happened in the end?

Drama at work can make life miserable. It’s not surprising that conflicts come up between coworkers. You don’t get to choose the people you work with, and often they come from different backgrounds or have different views of the world. What is surprising is that most people don’t know how to resolve workplace conflicts peacefully. Jesus knew.

Jesus understood that conflicts happen. He laid out a model for conflict resolution when he told his disciples how they should relate to each other.

“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
(Matthew 18:15-17)

You can take several lessons from this verse for resolving conflicts with coworkers:

• Address the problem as soon as possible with the other person, face to face.
• Describe the problem without name-calling or self-justification.
• Listen to the other person’s side of the story. Listening is so important that Jesus mentions it three times in this passage.
• If meeting one-on-one doesn’t bring a solution, ask mutual friends or a direct supervisor to step in.

Discussion Question:  Imagine that one of your coworkers told you another coworker was talking about you behind your back. What do you do?

Jesus often had to remind his followers not to criticize each other. When Martha publicly criticized her sister Mary for not doing her share of the housework, Jesus pointed out Martha’s negative attitude and told her to leave Mary alone.

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

(Luke 10:38-42)

Even the people following Jesus got angry and wanted to respond with violence. But Jesus said violence is never a good idea.

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”
(Matthew 26:52)

Violence isn’t a way to solve problems; it will only get you into more trouble. You often hear people say: “Live by the sword, die by the sword.” This is what Jesus tells his disciples. If you use violence or threats of violence, there will be a negative consequence.

Discussion Question: What part of Jesus’ advice is hardest to follow?

Money

This lesson was piloted in April 2017 by Southern California Teen Challenge, in a program for women rehabilitating from drug addiction, prison, and prostitution. To see all lessons, go to the Women's Prison Curriculum Table of Contents.

Discussion Question: What’s the hardest thing about money: making it, spending it, or saving it?

In God’s original plan, both men and women would have everything they needed. God gave people the whole earth with all its resources so that everybody could flourish.

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.”
(Genesis 1:28-29)

But in a fallen world, many people don’t have everything they need. Sexism, racism, and other evil forces make it especially difficult for women on their own. God’s law offers protections for women without husbands (Deuteronomy 27:19), but in reality many single mothers struggle alone. Jesus recognized this unfairness, and he yelled at men who grew powerful while exploiting poor women.

As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
(Mark 12:38-40)

Jesus is on the side of women in need, and he intends to make all things new.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
(Colossians 1:19-20)

God is working to reconcile all things, including your personal finances. But he needs your help. Three biblical attitudes will help you make good financial decisions. These attitudes are: stewardship, gratitude, and contentment.

The biblical attitude of stewardship reminds us that God owns everything, and it is only our job to take care of it for a time. 

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.
Psalm 24:1

In the end, everything you have belongs to God. That means you have a responsibility to use your money wisely. The place you live and the people around you are important to God. When you make decisions about saving and spending, you are making decisions about God’s money. Do your financial decisions take care of the place you live and the people around you?

The biblical practice of gratitude helps you break the bad habit of spending money on things you don’t need. Gratitude means thanking God for everything you get, whether it’s a lot or a little.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

When you’re starting to practice gratitude, it helps to remember key times to thank God for what you have. Thank God before you eat a meal, every time you get a paycheck, after you reach a savings goal or when you buy something that makes your life better.

The last biblical attitude that helps you reshape your relationship with money is contentment.  Contentment means enjoying what you have right now.

Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
(Hebrews 13:5)

Whatever makes you happy, make sure you do it regularly and really enjoy it. If you are content in the present moment you won’t be thinking of other stuff you need to buy to make you happy.

Discussion Question: How can you practice stewardship, gratitude, and contentment in these situations: Shopping for food? Shopping for clothes? Paying debt? Saving for the future?

If you have serious financial problems, please pray about them.  God promises to work with people who pray.

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
(Matthew 7:7-9)

God does not promise that Christians will escape every effect of the fallen world. Money troubles are real and frustrating. God does promise to provide for the things you absolutely need, and to make good things come from a bad situation.

And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 12:28)

Discussion Question: What are the biggest challenges in your finances? What do you want God to change?

Discussion Question: What would you call ‘a good life’?  What do you need for your life to be good?