Discussion Guide: Proverbs – Part 3
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,
she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8 (ESV)
February 22, 2004: “Proverbs - Part 3” by Kimber Kauffman,
Senior Pastor College Park Church.
Pastor Kimber entitled his third message in his series on Proverbs, “The
Sluggard.” This message brought out
both the humor and the poignancy of Solomon’s wise sayings about laziness. The following discussion guide can be used
to aid your Flock Group in the application of this message to your individual
lives.
Before you begin, you might refresh your minds about the
precious nature of the Wisdom you are about to discuss by re-reading 1 Kings
4:29-34, 10:1-10.
- As
you read these passages, what indicators do you see of Solomon’s work
ethic? What do they suggest could
be done if we similarly applied ourselves to whatever the Lord set before
us?
- Pastor
shared how his work ethic was shaped early while working at a family
factory. As you reflect on your
own work ethic…
- How
do you go about your work?
- What
jobs have been decisive, or determinative, in shaping your current work
ethic?
- What
did you learn about work when working those jobs?
- What
remains as instilled in your approach to work?
- What,
if anything, has been lost?
- Pastor
shared the story about a man who responded to God’s call to “work heartily
as unto the Lord,” but was later persecuted by co-workers who did not want
to follow suit.
- Have
you ever been persecuted for being diligent?
- Have
you ever been spurred on by someone else demonstrating diligence?
- Have
you ever participated in cutting down someone who is striving to stay
diligent?
- Would
you like to confess to God, and to the group, any “robbery” that you have
done due to a lack of diligence on the job?
- Pastor
mentioned contacting various employers who attend CPC and asking them what
was most irritating (smoke in the eyes) about slothful workers. Here were some of their responses:
- The
sloth doesn’t take initiative.
- The
sluggard has a lack of pride in a job well done.
- The
lazy person has no sense of urgency.
- The
person without diligence has an attitude of entitlement instead of
appreciation.
- He/she
likes comfort and hates being “pushed” to reach potential.
- The
slothful person grumbles when something is implemented that is out of the
ordinary.
- He/she
may be busy, but is not wise, or smart, with his/her efforts.
- The
sluggard is satisfied with the status quo.
- He/she
is unwilling to try new things, or to try new ways of doing the same
things.
- The
lazy person treats poorly the customers or clients who the company relies
upon for sustenance.
Which of the above, if any, describe others who
work for you, or with you?
Do any of them describe you, at times?
What kind of impact do these things have…
1. On
our economy?
2. On
our relationships with others?
3. On
God’s glory?
If we turned these statements of sluggards around
and asked, “What would employers like to see in their people,” what
characteristics would you like those you work for, and with, to be attributed
to you?
- How
does meditation on the ant help you grow in diligence and decrease the
slothful tendencies of the flesh? (xref. Pr. 6:6-8). What is one you can focus on
implementing tomorrow at work?
- As
we look upon the contrast of being a sluggard vs. being diligent and hard
working, what are some of the outcomes of hard work and steady diligence…
- On
your physical body?
- On
the other people who…
- work
with you,
- for
you, or,
- who
your work impacts?
- On
the company, organization, or team in which you work?
- In
caring for your own soul, what are some sure signs of diligence? Sloth?
What would you like the group to hold you accountable on
implementing so that you stay steady in your pursuit of knowing Christ
through the practice of spiritual diligence?
Bonus: Do you know the name of the State
Representative for District 86? What is
the pastor’s opinion about his re-election?
Why or why not?
Other cross references Pastor Kimber used during his
message: Judges 18:9, Eccl. 10:18 and
Proverbs 10:26, 15:19, 20:4, 22:13 and 26:13.