How to Use this Experience in My Workplace

What if at every worksite, the most joy-filled, responsible, hard-working, trusted, and valuable person working there was a person through whom Jesus shined?

What if God’s people were known as the best at what they did, and simultaneously as the most loving, level-headed, and servant-minded people around?

Taking the time to meet with your co-workers during lunch, or before, or after work, can be a wonderful opportunity to develop deeper and more meaningful relationships, to support each other in your work, and to see God work in your life and in the lives of those with whom you work.  What better way to come together to focus on learning how to be more like Christ in the workplace.

Did you know that 80% of those participating in a workplace small group, or Bible study at work, reported an increase of peace, joy, and patience at work?

In addition, 1 out of every 2 people who regularly participated in a small group with co-workers, or others in the working community, said they better understood their purpose at work.

More peace, more joy, more purpose, and more passion at work will certainly make the day better!

It can be as simple as connecting with two or more of your co-workers for 30 minutes to an hour in your workplace, or somewhere offsite. Or you might bring together a larger group depending on your interests and circumstances. 

It’s just a great time to encourage and support one another as you exchange the lies about work for the truth in God’s Word. 

 

Questions and Answers

  • Yes, you can! You and your co-workers should meet during non-working hours such as before, or after work, or during the lunch hour. When you are at work, your time is not your own, but belongs to your employer for your employer’s purposes. Your small group meeting times and activities must avoid interfering with normal work operations or expectations to be on the job during specific hours.

    Finally, for these meetings to be legal, they must not be used to coerce attendance or to exclude attendance of any person, for any reason, or with the actual or subtle threat of reprisal. Co-workers must never be treated differently because they choose not to attend, cease attending, or even if they openly criticize those who attend. Management especially must avoid any harassment or criticism of employees who choose either to attend or not to attend.

    There are a number of short legal Q&A videos on the Talbot Faith Center YouTube channel if you would like to learn more.

  • Do not use company resources to print or copy the participant guide unless your employer gives you prior permission.

  • You can meet offsite.

  • No! The purpose is to come together as co-workers to support each other in your work and to learn more of what it means to use your work to glorify God and to “work as unto the Lord.”

  • Yes! Each session of THE WORK EXCHANGE is designed for 60 minutes, go through it as fast or as slow as it meets the group’s needs.

  • It’s not necessary to be a Bible expert to lead this group. You are the host with a desire to serve others as you facilitate the gatherings. Each session of THE WORK EXCHANGE will guide the group conversations and teaching. Remember, there are others who are at a different place with the Lord spiritually and who may belong to a different denomination than you. Strive for harmony and unity in the body of Christ.

  • Here are some steps to get started

    1. Look over the materials provided at THEWORKEXCHANGE.ORG and sign up to access the teaching videos.

    2. Pray for your employer, your supervisor, your co-workers, and those whom God will have join your group.

    3. Personally talk with those whom you think you would like to join your group. Tell them you are putting a group together to learn what the Bible has to say about your work, having more joy at work, and being a more valuable employee at work while growing in relationship with God. It is best to invite them personally and not use company resources.

    4. A group of three or more will be a good place to start. Do not try to convince a person to join your group if they are not interested.

    5. Each participant can download their own participant guide from THEWORKEXCHANGE.ORG.

    1. As a group, decide on the logistics that will work for your group such as when and where to meet and how often. Meeting on a regular basis is key to continuing as a group and unplanned work activities may keep everyone from coming every time. You will want to meet in a quiet and non-public space to not interfere with others and to create a confidential space to discuss as a group.

    2. Agree to begin and end on time to respect the group and to not interfere with normal work activities.

    3. Agree to not turn this into a gossip session and how to handle gossip within and outside of the group.

    4. Agree to confidentiality within the group.

    5. Agree to not turn this into a boss or employer bashing session.