Discipleship in the business environment
TEACHER
------------------
Lesson 12
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
2 Thess 3:7-13
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,
8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.
13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
GOLDEN TEXT
John 1:41
The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).
AIMS
Positively influence people in the corporate and business environment;
Value the professional vocation and ethics;
Glorify God, through evangelism, in your professional activity.
INTRODUCTION
differential for people to convert to the gospel, be baptized and consolidated as part of the body of Christ.
This lesson aims to show how Christians should behave in the business world. His example of life and his message can be the
1.THE DISCIPLE-MAKER
IN THE CORPORATE WORLD
1.1. Social responsability
Talking about discipleship in the corporate world involves leading with economic aspect, as every business aims to get profitability and increasing its dividends.
However, one cannot fail to observe issues such as sustainability, impact on the climate, environmental compensation, among other social actions.
1.2. Lifestyle consistent with what is taught
There are some Christians that people do not speak well of them. They are sometimes dishonest, deceitful, liars, neglectful of their duties and, often, reasons for power struggles and quarrels. Therefore, they keep people away from the message of salvation.
“With simple acts of blameless life,
the Christian evangelizes and disciples more by his way of conducting himself than in any other way (2 Kgs 4:9;
1 Tim 4:12)
1.3. Focus on generosity
The Lord Jesus is the greatest example of generosity, kindness and benevolence.
John Scott's insight is relevant when referring to the words of Jesus in John 20:21 – “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Just as Jesus entered this world, his disciples need to enter people's lives by instructing them in the way of the Master, as Philip did to the Ethiopian eunuch on the way to Gaza (Acts 8:26-30).
Remember the words of the apostle Paul,
“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
(1 Co 10:31)
1.4. Horizontal discipleship
The disciple interested in fulfilling the command of Christ to go and make disciples does not place himself neither below nor above the people.
He avoids isolation and values his personal contacts, dedicating himself to horizontal discipleship.
2. THE SKILLS OF A DISCIPLE-MAKER
IN THE CORPORATE WORLD
2.1. Tolerance
Being tolerant does not mean accepting or agreeing to abuses, mistakes or sin. Instead, it has to do with an attitude of respect for differences, whether physical or behavioral, ideological, political or of any other type.
Give respect
to
Get respect
The apostle Paul exhorted his son in the faith, Timothy, to be diligent in studying the Word of God (2 Tim 2:15).
There is a good number of examples around us of friends of ours who were reached and discipled in the corporate environment by being given the Word of God at appropriate times, without neglecting the institution's ethics or rules.
2.2. Knowing the Scriptures
2.3. A healthy speaking style
A discipler must not pass on lies, gossip or information that is fake, nor words that convey an idea or image contrary to the purity of the gospel. The way you express yourself should be healthy, seasoned with salt (Col 4:6) and good for edification (1 Cor 14:26).
Every time you speak right, you are training yourself to think right and act right.
T.B. Joshua
3. THE ACTIONS OF THE DISCIPLER IN THE BUSINESS WORLD
Let’s take into consideration some important actions in the aspects of influencing and evangelizing in the business world.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
(Colossians 3:23)
3.1. Emotional intelligence for teamwork
Teamwork requires cooperation and the appreciation of all employees.
Therefore, the disciple-maker must be concerned with valuing the other, avoiding power struggles, selfishness and the exaggerated desire to obtain advantages. At these times, the development of the fruit of the Holy Spirit becomes mandatory (Gal 5:22).
3.2. Ethics and righteousness
The word ethics means to act appropriately and correctly, according to good social practices. The Christian truly concerned with evangelization and discipleship must cooperate so that their relationships are based on respect, honesty, trust and justice.
The believer's thinking must be focused on the other and on the way in which he can develop as a person and thus help the institution from which the resources for the maintenance of his family come (Philippians 2:3).
3.3. Empathy and proactivity
Having empathy means being able to be in someone else’s shoes and feel how he feels in a specific situation. On the other hand, the proactive person is able to anticipate future problems and plan actions aimed at preventing and overcoming conflicts.
Christians should, as far as possible, have a good relationship with everyone (Rom 12:18).
As important as technical skills, the servant of God concerned with evangelization needs to develop other skills related to emotional balance and personality (2 Cor 6:4a).
CONCLUSION
The best way to evangelize and disciple in the corporate environment is through attitudes and life itself. Moral and ethical attitudes can impact more than words if we consider organizational challenges.
The manifestation of the Kingdom of God and its justice on Earth begins in interpersonal relationships. Light must shine where there is darkness, and salt must taste where there is blandness and distaste.
God bless you!
EBD ADVEC
@ebdadvec
ebd@advec.org
advec.org/ebd
youtube.com/ebdadvec
CONTACT US | EBD ADVEC
@ebdadvec
CONTACT US | FÁBRICA EBD
Fábrica EBD
@fabricaebd
contato@fabricaebd.org
fabricaebd.org
youtube.com/fabricaebd
@fabricaebd