"The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to
stop, look up, and get our bearings."
Don Whitney
Our class on Sunday focused on biblical productivity, a great concept to consider and implement at the beginning of a new year. The world offers many different definitions, goals, and resources for productivity. The problem with each is the anchor point, which holds the definition, implementation, and end goal together. Personal satisfaction is the ratio of output to input of time, daily accomplishments, and other factors.
Balance is the theme of the fourth chapter of Paul Tripp's book Lead. The common theme throughout the chapter is fleshed out in the following quote. "It is only when God is in his rightful place in my heart that people and things are in their appropriate place in my thoughts, desires, and actions." (p. 95) Biblical productivity must begin with God in his proper place - Sovereign over all creation and Lord of my life.
Most of the teaching time was spent working through the PRODUCTIVITY CATECHISM developed by Tim Challies. A catechism is a set of questions designed for teaching, and this catechism is intended to teach what Biblical productivity is.
Q1. Ultimately, why did God create us?
God created us to bring glory to Him. (Romans 11:36; 1 Peter 4:11)
Q2. How can we glorify God in our day-to-day lives?
We can glorify God in our day-to-day lives by doing good works. (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12)
Q3. What are good works?
Good works are works done for the glory of God and the good of others. (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 4:10—11)
Q4. As sinful people, can we actually do good works?
Yes, Christians are able to do good works because of the finished work of Jesus. (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14)
Q5. In what areas of life should we do good works?
We ought to do good works at all times and in all areas of life. (1 Cor 10:31; Titus 2:7, 3:8; 1 Tim. 2:9—10; Gal. 6:10; Acts 9:36)
Q6. What is productivity?
Productivity is effectively stewarding your gifts, talents, time, energy, and enthusiasm for the good of others and the glory of God. (Eph. 5:15—16)
Tim Challies, author of Do More Better, and Matt Perman, author of What's Best Next, share that understanding one's roles and responsibilities is a key part of living a Biblically Productive life. The Biblical Counseling Coalition offers beneficial teachings on the circles of responsibilities and concerns HERE.
There are God-ordained responsibilities. In these areas, God must be obeyed.
There are also areas of concern that are not my responsibility. In these areas, God must be trusted.
The final step in thinking about these areas is recognizing areas needing change.
Resources
- Do More Better by Tim Challies
- What's Best Next? by Matt Perman
- Lead by Paul David Tripp: drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/lead
- 10 Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year: www.crossway.org/articles/10-questions-to-ask-at-the-start-of-a-new-year/
- Class posts: https://tinyurl.com/tbc-pray-prepare
- Church Ministries Conference, March 7, 8: grchurchministriesconference.com/
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