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.

 

  1. 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? 

 

  1. Pastor shared how his work ethic was shaped early while working at a family factory.  As you reflect on your own work ethic…

 

    1. How do you go about your work?
    2. What jobs have been decisive, or determinative, in shaping your current work ethic? 
    3. What did you learn about work when working those jobs? 
    4. What remains as instilled in your approach to work? 
    5. What, if anything, has been lost?

 

  1. 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. 

 

    1. Have you ever been persecuted for being diligent? 
    2. Have you ever been spurred on by someone else demonstrating diligence?
    3. Have you ever participated in cutting down someone who is striving to stay diligent? 
    4. 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?

 

  1. 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:

 

    1. The sloth doesn’t take initiative.
    2. The sluggard has a lack of pride in a job well done.
    3. The lazy person has no sense of urgency.
    4. The person without diligence has an attitude of entitlement instead of appreciation.
    5. He/she likes comfort and hates being “pushed” to reach potential.
    6. The slothful person grumbles when something is implemented that is out of the ordinary.
    7. He/she may be busy, but is not wise, or smart, with his/her efforts.
    8. The sluggard is satisfied with the status quo.
    9. He/she is unwilling to try new things, or to try new ways of doing the same things.
    10. 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?

 

  1. 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?

 

  1. 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…

 

    1. On your physical body? 

 

    1. On the other people who…
      1. work with you,
      2. for you, or,
      3. who your work impacts?

 

    1. On the company, organization, or team in which you work?

 

  1. 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.