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Our full-time-ministry-versus-laity divide would have been a head-scratcher for the apostle Paul. Although he was educated to be a rabbi (Acts 22:3), every Jewish boy learned a manual trade. So Paul's portable trade—tentmaking (Acts 18:3); the Greek word could also mean leatherworking)—allowed him to cover expenses, both his own and those of his traveling companions (Acts 20:34.)

1 Thessalonians 2:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

1. While Paul was passionate about explaining the gospel to Thessalonica's residents, what else did he see as essential 1 Thessalonians 3:7-9?
2. How can daily workplace interaction authenticate the validity of the gospel in ways that a sermon alone cannot?
3. In what way (v. 9) did Paul give his life to these new friends of his?
4. What is wrong with assuming that gospel proclamation may be relegated to those who are clergy professionals?
5. Was the motivation for working strictly a support issue, or did it involve more than that 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9?
6. How can a positive workplace example benefit both non-Christians and other believers?

Ask God to make you a consistent illustration at your workplace of how the power of the gospel transforms a life.

8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too. 9 Don't you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God's Good News to you.

7 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me to be Your faithful ambassador in the occupation to which You have called me.

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