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Cell Notes on How To Treat your boss
In keeping with the theme of the evening, you may wish to open things by finding out what everyone does at work.
Word:
Read together 1 Peter 2:18-25 and Matthew 5:11-16
1Pet. 2:18 ¶ Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
1Pet. 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
1Pet. 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
1Pet. 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1Pet. 2:22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
1Pet. 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
1Pet. 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1Pet. 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Was there anything you didn't understand from this text?
How is Jesus to be our example when we suffer unjustly?
In his letter, Peter refers back to Jesus' teaching on the Sermon of the Mount:
Matt. 5:11 ¶ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Matt. 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matt. 5:13 ¶ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Matt. 5:14 ¶ “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matt. 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matt. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
In Barney's talk, he referred to responses to two common responses to unjust suffering: fight or flight and described Jesus' teaching as a third way.
Invite the group to tell stories of stupid stuff that happened to them this past week and how they reacted. Consider together what might have been a 'third way' in these situations and in keeping with Peter's advice. Pray together for God's help to be lights shining before men.
Witness
Maybe share with the group who you are inviting to the Christmas carols/Christmas celebration. Pray in groups for these people & for the Christmas events.
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Robin Plummer, 05/12/2007 |
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