Rescued
Getting Started
Len Clymer became president of Holiday Inn International in 1973. As Corporate President, he wanted one thing: for people who heard or saw the name, Holiday Inn, to instantly think "good, wholesome, family fun." Clymer did everything in his power not only to sell a company image, but to shape a company culture worthy of that image. Through the '70s, he made Holiday Inn the fastest growing, largest hotel chain in the country.
In 1977 Clymer resigned. Why? Because his board decided to connect a Holiday Inn to an Atlantic City casino. They violated his code for the company. They overran his conscience.
Clymers resignation cost him millions. An interviewer asked him why he decided to leave Holiday Inn? "It was very, very easy," he replied. "It had to do with my integrity."
You see, Len Clymer was a devoted follower of Jesus and he saw his work as an act of worship, something completely intertwined with his faith. While many people today want to compartmentalize their lives, the scriptures make it clear that Christ is to permeate our lives and all that we do. This includes considering our work to be an act of worship. In this lesson, we will look more specifically at what that looks like in the workplace.
Warm-Up Question
Share with the group your first job, your most difficult job, and your most satisfying job.
Bible Study
In Daniel 1, we learn that King Nebuchandnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. A large number of people were taken to Babylon and lived as exiles in this foreign city. One of those who was taken was Daniel. He studied at the top schools of the time and after graduation he began to serve in the King's service, which he did for nearly 70 years under three administrations. During his time, he faced morally compromising situations, colleagues that were antagonistic towards him and opposition from those that wanted to surpass him. In our study today, we are going to look at one such situation.
What are some things that we learn about how Daniel conducted himself in the work environment?
Is there a past or current situation in your work where you have compromised or have been tempted to compromise? How might you better respond with keeping Daniel’s example of integrity in mind?
What are two or three main lessons that we can learn from the example of Daniel?
How can the guys in this group help you to grow in the area of integrity?
Video
Born and raised in Southern California, Dusty married his college sweetheart Nicole, and they quickly began a family. 22 years and 4 kids later, they now reside in South Orange County. The first 15 years of their marriage saw Dusty in corporate America… until God called them out. For the past 8 years, they have followed His voice into the nonprofit world caring for orphans and widows in South America, as well as into local church ministry where Dusty currently serves. Dusty’s passion is to see men come fully alive to God’s calling in their lives: loving those around them selflessly, leading boldly, and living fearlessly for Jesus right where they are.
Discussion Questions
What is lacking if we approach work as a necessary evil? What can go wrong with treating work as your highest goal in life?
What are any other key points or action items that you heard from Dusty’s talk?
Closing
- Share with the group a challenge you are facing at work or at home and how they can pray for you.
- Pray for one another
Prayer Request
Assignment for Next Week:
Listen to the talk by Dan Seaborn, Marriage that Makes it. This can be found in Lesson 5.
Recommended Reading:
Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller
Darrell Cosden, The Heavenly Good of Earthly Work
Passages:
Quotes:
"Human beings are to be partners with God in the work of filling, stewarding, and governing creation, also helping it to be productive and protected." Mark Roberts
“God is a creative god, and it is part of his nature to work and to create and to produce. The uniqueness of our humanity is that we are made in the image of God. So if one of the things that is essential to the nature of God is that he creates through working, then one of the unique things about our humanity is that we are created to create through working”. Stuart Briscoe, Sermon: The Biblical Basis of Work