Work It - Week 3

“Working From, Not For, Your Identity”
Your work flows from who you are in Christ—not to prove who you are.

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

I. You Are His Workmanship
II. You Are Redeemed by Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

III. You Are Designed for a Purpose
IV. What Misshaped Identity Produces in Work

1. Working for Achievement

Ecclesiastes 2:11, “Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

“Everything was meaningless… chasing the wind.”

Luke 10:20, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Identity grounded in Christ removes the pressure to prove.

2. Working for Escape

Colossians 3:23–24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

“It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Work isn’t just a job—it’s a place of worship and witness.

3. Working for the Stack

Luke 12:15, And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

“Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

If work becomes about more, you’ll never have enough.

“I work as an offering to God, not an identity project.”

Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

“Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice…”

1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

“Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.”

Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do…”

How to Work as Worship:
1. Obey Jesus over business sense.
Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

2. Seek the towel, not the title.
Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

3. Invite God into your work.
4. Pursue excellence, not perfection.
Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

5. Watch your words.
Luke 6:45, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

6. Practice gratitude daily.
7. Make disciples before everything.

Small Group Discussion Questions
1. Read Ephesians 2:10. What stands out to you about being called God's “workmanship”? How does that challenge or encourage your current view of yourself?
2. Of the 4 work identities (Achievement, Escape, Stack, Worship), which one are you most tempted to operate from? What’s the impact of that on your daily life or relationships?
3. How does knowing your identity is secure in Christ change the way you view success or failure in your work?
4. What does “working as worship” practically look like in your context (e.g., parenting, corporate job, school, ministry)? Where do you struggle to live this out?
5. Which of the six “Work as Worship” practices (e.g., obedience, service, prayer, excellence, speech, gratitude) is most needed in your life right now? What step can you take this week to grow in that area?


3-Day Devotional: “You Are His Workmanship”

Day 1: Identity Before Activity
Read: Ephesians 2:10
“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…”
Before you do anything today, remember this: you are not your job, your GPA, your title, or your performance. You are God’s poiēma—His masterpiece.
When you start with who you are, you work from a place of rest and gratitude. When you forget, you’ll work for approval, identity, or escape.
Reflect: Where do you most often try to earn your identity? How does God’s declaration over you change that?
Prayer: Father, thank You that I am Your handiwork. Help me live and work today out of who I already am in Christ—not who I’m trying to become.

Day 2: Created for More Than a Paycheck
Read: Colossians 3:23–24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
God cares about your Monday just as much as your Sunday. Your work is sacred when it’s done with the right heart, for the right Lord.
Don’t miss the mission in the mundane. Jesus can be glorified through spreadsheets, sippy cups, sermons, and service alike.
Reflect: How can you approach your work today as service to Christ? What would shift if you believed Jesus was your direct supervisor?
Prayer: Jesus, help me see my work as part of Your Kingdom. Whether big or small, let me do it all for Your name.

Day 3: Worship at Work
Read: Romans 12:1
“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice… this is your true and proper worship.”
Worship is more than a song—it’s your life. You don’t clock in and out of ministry; every moment is a chance to offer your best to God.
Let your Monday excellence be as worshipful as your Sunday singing. Worship is found in the sacrifice of showing up with the right heart.
Reflect: What would change if you viewed your work as your worship? Which of the 6 practices (obedience, service, prayer, excellence, speech, gratitude) do you most need to integrate?
Prayer: Lord, today I offer You my work. Use it to shape me and serve others. Let my work be my worship.