The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Additional Study Material on Ambitionįor a longer session, or for follow-on sessions, choose from the material below. This ends the one-hour study on ambition. End with a prayer, according to your group’s custom.
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If your ambitions succeed, how will it benefit you? Who else will your success benefit, and how exactly? Can you ever be completely free of selfish ambitions?.A biblical perspective on ambition may result in a major paradigm shift for some people, both for those who think that all ambition is un-Christ-like and for those who think God doesn’t care much about how they go about their work.Īdapted from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary For further study on this passage see Do Your Work in a Worthy Manner (Philippians 1:27–2:11). But if our work is motivated by selfishness or is done with indifference to others, we are not aligned with the mind of Jesus. ” If our ambition is to serve the interests of others-for example by excelling in our work, expanding our sphere of action, or gaining power to make things better-ambition may be a form of service to God. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. The passage above from Philippians speaks against “selfish” motivation, but not against ambition itself. How does what you observe in the passage relate to what comes to mind when you hear the word “ambition”?.What words, images or characters do you see in the passage that relate to ambition at work?.Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death- even death on a cross. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Does God want us to be ambitious? If no, why not? If yes, ambitious for what?ĭo nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.Note: this video is intentionally provocative! It only expresses the opinion of the presenter. Watch this video clip: “ Ambition vs Discontentment - What is the difference?” (The link takes you to 37 sec from the start.What comes to your mind when you hear the word “ambition”?.Begin with a prayer, according to your group’s custom.
If your group has more time, of if you’d like to continue the discussion next time, three additional Bible passages and a case study are provided for further exploration.
The study is intended to take about an hour, including reading the passages out loud. The study does not require any reading or preparation in advance.
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Then they explore how to apply what they’ve discussed to their own work. Participants then read a passage of the Bible and talk about its perspective on ambition. It is not intended as a statement of what’s right, but as a vivid discussion starter. The study begins with an optional, provocative video. It brings together the practical reality of life at work and the spiritual guidance of the Bible. This study is intended to engage Christians who work in a discussion about ambition. Learning From the Psalms How to Pray Through Your Workįor more small group studies on workplace issues, go to the Small Groups Studies Page.Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership.Evangelism - Sharing the Gospel at Work.10 Key Points About Work in the Bible Every Christian Should Know.
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