Divine Interdependence: Work as Community and Vocation

 

Summary

Human work is a divine extension of God's loving creativity, designed to be developed through community and cooperation. We are created to be interdependent, relying on each other to fulfill the God-given dominion we have over the earth. This interdependence is particularly evident in professions, which are specialized areas of occupation requiring preparation and collaboration. Professions are inherently communal, guided by the collective wisdom and direction of others within the field. They are not merely individual pursuits but are manifestations of God's purpose for humanity to exercise dominion.

The classic professions—ministry, law, and medicine—illustrate this communal aspect, as they have historically required individuals to work together for the common good. As human history progresses, new professions emerge, continuing this tradition of communal service. This concept of "your kingdom and my kingdom" being part of "our kingdom" is central to our understanding of vocation. It reflects the prayer Jesus taught us: "Our Father, which art in heaven," emphasizing that our work and calling are carried out within a community that functions under God's guidance.

When the connection between our work and God's purpose is broken, we lose our way. Our vocations are not just personal endeavors but are meant to contribute to the larger community, reflecting God's kingdom on earth. This understanding calls us to view our work as a sacred duty, performed in harmony with others and under the divine direction.

Key Takeaways:

1. Interdependence in Work: Human work is designed to be a collaborative effort, reflecting our interdependence. We are called to cooperate with others to fulfill our God-given dominion, recognizing that our individual efforts are part of a larger, communal purpose. [00:25]

2. Professions as Communal Endeavors: Professions require specialized preparation and are inherently communal, guided by the collective wisdom of the field. They are not just individual pursuits but are manifestations of God's purpose for humanity to exercise dominion. [01:00]

3. Historical and Emerging Professions: The classic professions of ministry, law, and medicine illustrate the communal nature of work, and as history progresses, new professions continue this tradition. Each profession contributes to the common good, reflecting God's kingdom on earth. [01:44]

4. Vocation and Community: Our calling and vocation are carried out in community, functioning under God's guidance. This communal aspect is central to our understanding of work, emphasizing the interconnectedness of "your kingdom and my kingdom" within "our kingdom." [02:15]

5. Maintaining Divine Connection: When the connection between our work and God's purpose is broken, we lose our way. Our vocations are sacred duties, meant to be performed in harmony with others and under divine direction, contributing to the larger community. [02:15]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:25] - Interdependence in Work
[00:42] - Professions and the Common Good
[01:00] - Communal Nature of Professions
[01:15] - Guidance in Professional Fields
[01:29] - Manifestation of God's Purpose
[01:44] - Classic Professions
[01:59] - Your Kingdom and My Kingdom
[02:15] - Vocation in Community
[02:30] - Losing Our Way Without God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:26-28 - "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'"
2. Matthew 6:9-10 - "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'"

Observation Questions:
1. According to Genesis 1:26-28, what responsibilities were given to humanity in relation to the earth?
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of professions and their role in God's purpose for humanity? [01:00]
3. What is the significance of the phrase "your kingdom and my kingdom" in the context of the sermon? [01:59]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the communal aspect of work through the classic professions of ministry, law, and medicine? [01:44]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of interdependence in work reflect the idea of being made in God's image, as described in Genesis 1:26-28?
2. In what ways does the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-10) emphasize the communal nature of our vocations and callings? [02:15]
3. How might the breakdown of the connection between our work and God's purpose lead to losing our way, according to the sermon? [02:30]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the evolving nature of professions and their contribution to the common good? [01:44]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current profession or vocation. How can you see it as a part of God's larger purpose for humanity? What steps can you take to align it more closely with this purpose? [01:00]
2. Consider a time when you felt disconnected from the communal aspect of your work. What changes can you make to foster a greater sense of community and cooperation in your professional life? [00:25]
3. How can you incorporate the principles of the Lord's Prayer into your daily work routine to ensure that your efforts contribute to "our kingdom" under God's guidance? [01:59]
4. Identify a specific way you can collaborate with others in your field to serve the common good. What practical actions can you take to initiate this collaboration? [01:44]
5. Think about a recent project or task where you worked independently. How might involving others have enhanced the outcome? What can you do differently next time to encourage teamwork? [01:00]
6. How can you maintain a connection between your work and God's purpose, especially during challenging times? What spiritual practices might help you stay grounded in this connection? [02:30]
7. Reflect on the idea of "your kingdom and my kingdom" being part of "our kingdom." How can this perspective change the way you approach conflicts or competition in your workplace? [01:59]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined:

Day 1: Interdependence Reflects Divine Design
Human work is a divine extension of God's creativity, meant to be developed through community and cooperation. We are created to be interdependent, relying on each other to fulfill the God-given dominion we have over the earth. This interdependence is particularly evident in professions, which are specialized areas of occupation requiring preparation and collaboration. Professions are inherently communal, guided by the collective wisdom and direction of others within the field. They are not merely individual pursuits but are manifestations of God's purpose for humanity to exercise dominion. [00:25]

"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent project or task you worked on with others. How did you experience interdependence, and how can you better embrace this divine design in your future collaborations?


Day 2: Professions as a Manifestation of God's Purpose
Professions require specialized preparation and are inherently communal, guided by the collective wisdom of the field. They are not just individual pursuits but are manifestations of God's purpose for humanity to exercise dominion. The classic professions—ministry, law, and medicine—illustrate this communal aspect, as they have historically required individuals to work together for the common good. As human history progresses, new professions emerge, continuing this tradition of communal service. This concept of "your kingdom and my kingdom" being part of "our kingdom" is central to our understanding of vocation. [01:00]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current profession or field of study. How can you see it as a manifestation of God's purpose, and what steps can you take to align your work more closely with this understanding?


Day 3: Historical and Emerging Professions Serve the Common Good
The classic professions of ministry, law, and medicine illustrate the communal nature of work, and as history progresses, new professions continue this tradition. Each profession contributes to the common good, reflecting God's kingdom on earth. This understanding calls us to view our work as a sacred duty, performed in harmony with others and under the divine direction. When the connection between our work and God's purpose is broken, we lose our way. [01:44]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a new or emerging profession that intrigues you. How does it contribute to the common good, and how might you support or engage with it in a way that reflects God's kingdom?


Day 4: Vocation and Community Under God's Guidance
Our calling and vocation are carried out in community, functioning under God's guidance. This communal aspect is central to our understanding of work, emphasizing the interconnectedness of "your kingdom and my kingdom" within "our kingdom." It reflects the prayer Jesus taught us: "Our Father, which art in heaven," emphasizing that our work and calling are carried out within a community that functions under God's guidance. [02:15]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Think about your role within your community. How can you better align your vocation with God's guidance and contribute to the interconnectedness of the community?


Day 5: Maintaining the Divine Connection in Our Work
When the connection between our work and God's purpose is broken, we lose our way. Our vocations are sacred duties, meant to be performed in harmony with others and under divine direction, contributing to the larger community. This understanding calls us to view our work as a sacred duty, performed in harmony with others and under the divine direction. [02:15]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt disconnected from God's purpose in your work. What steps can you take today to restore that connection and view your work as a sacred duty?

Quotes


Human work is intended to be an extension of God's loving creativity, and we develop that through community in which there is division of labor. Human beings are made interdependent by their need to cooperate with others to fulfill the God-appointed dominion that they have been given. [00:12:48]

Professions are areas of occupation that require a special degree of preparation and a special opportunity to serve with others. Professions are always communal; they're not individualistic, and they fall under the guidance and direction of others in the profession. That's just a few of the things that go into the idea of a profession. [00:51:84]

A profession is a manifestation of God's purpose for human beings to have dominion, and that develops, for example, in the field of medicine or law or some of the other areas that are more recent vintage in human history. Ministry, law, and medicine are the three great classic professions. [01:20:88]

This idea of your kingdom and my kingdom is built into our kingdom, and that's why the Lord taught us to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven." So my calling and my vocation that I carry out is carried out in community, and that community is meant to function under God. [01:17:60]

When that connection is broken, then we lose our way. Our vocations are not just personal endeavors but are meant to contribute to the larger community, reflecting God's kingdom on earth. This understanding calls us to view our work as a sacred duty, performed in harmony with others and under divine direction. [02:15:00]

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Transcript
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