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Hard Work Leads to Success

Ryan Garrett [Middle School Student Minister]

Scripture References & Sermon Points

• Sermon Takeaway = Hard Work Leads to Success

• Scripture Reference: Proverbs 24:33

• Scripture Reference: Proverbs 6:6-8

• Scripture Reference: Proverbs 28:19

• Scripture Reference: Colossians 3:23

Sermon Discussion Questions

Get to know me: The purpose of these questions is to generate responses that are self-revealing and informative. Feel free to ask all of these questions to your group or simply choose the one that best fits your group.

1. Think back to the first job you ever had. What did you learn from it? How did your first job shape how you worked in subsequent jobs? Have you ever viewed your effort at work as worship?

Into the Bible: The purpose of these questions is to draw group members into the Bible to discover the truth from passages that were not the primary text for the weekend message.

1. Read 1 Peter 3:15. We live in a time when we feel we are always on the defensive. When Peter says to “make a defense”, it doesn't mean to be defensive. We should respond well, whether in word or deed. How does the way you work, either at a job or at life in general, speak to the Gospel you believe? Does the way you work inspire others and create opportunities for you to tell them why?

2. Read Romans 8:28. This verse is one that gets misused and misread. When Paul writes “all things work together for good”, it means everything in the process leads to a godly good for the believer, including times of great challenge (remember Joseph in the OT?). Have you ever had an experience at work that you could say was like Joseph's, more down before the up? How does your response in the down times show your faith greater than in the up times?

Application: The purpose of these questions is to apply the main points from the weekend message.

1. Read Proverbs 24:33. Some will work hard and not achieve the success they desire.  But it’s a general truth that hard work is one of the most important things for determining success. How do you distinguish between good work and ”busy” work? How do you distinguish between rest and laziness? 

2. Read Proverbs 6:6-8. Hard workers don’t procrastinate.  They don't need someone to tell them to do their jobs.  They take ownership and do it. How do you think taking initiative aligns with the Gospel? Do you have habits that stand in the way of creating success in your life? What habits can you put into practice to help you grow in both your daily living and spiritual discipline?

3. Read Proverbs 28:19, Colossians 3:23. You can work hard and receive all the blessings that come from hard work and still be an enemy of God. To work hard in a way that pleases God we must no longer work merely for meaning or money but for Jesus - to obey Him and make Him known. How can you fully devote one area of your life to the glory of God and what will it take to do so?