Sections

Section 1

Take the Personality Profile Test

1. What were some things you learned from the results of this test? Was there anything that surprised you from these results?

Read the following verses

Genesis 2:15; Genesis 3:17-19.

2. Why is it important to recognize that the Lord created work before sin entered the world?

3. What was the consequence of sin on work?

Read the following verses

Genesis 39:2-5; Exodus 35:30-35; Psalm 75:6-7.

4. What do these verses tell us about the Lord’s involvement in our work?

5. How does this differ from the way most people view work?

Section 2

Read the following verses

Proverbs 6:6-11; Proverbs 18:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9.

1. What do these verses communicate about working hard?
2. What was the hardest job or work you have had to do?
3. What are two practical ways you could recognize God’s ownership?

Read the following verses

Psalm 135:6; Proverbs 21:1; Acts 17:26.

Read the following verse

Exodus 34:21.

3. What does this verse communicate about rest?

4. How do you balance rest and working hard in your daily life?

Watch this video

If you haven’t already done so, complete a resume. After completing the resume, answer the following questions.

5. What did you find most helpful about completing your resume?

6. What was the biggest challenge for you in completing the resume?

Section 3

Read the following verses

Philippians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:6-8.

1. What do these passages say about contentment?

2. How does our culture discourage contentment? What are some ways you can practice being content?

Read the following verses

Acts 4:32-37; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.

3. What do these verses communicate about lifestyle?

How do the following factors influence your spending and lifestyle?

4. Comparing your lifestyle with that of others:

5. Internet, television, commercials, social media and advertisement:

6. Your time in God’s word:

7. Do you sense the Lord would have you change your spending or standard of living in any way? If so, how?

Section 4

1. What is your view of debt and how do you feel about your current debt situation?

Read the following verses

Deuteronomy 15:4-6; Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 12; Deuteronomy 28:15, 43-45.

2. According to these passages, how was debt viewed in the Old Testament? What was the reason a person got into debt?

Read the following verses

Romans 13:8; Proverbs 22:7.

3. How do these verses relate to you personally?

4. If you are in debt, do you have a plan to eliminate it? Explain.

Watch this video

Snowball Your Debt

Need a plan to get out of debt? Snowball your way out of it. And here’s how. In addition to making the minimum payments on all your credit cards, focus on paying off the smallest-balance card first. You’ll be encouraged to see its bal­ance go down, down, and finally disappear!

After the first credit card is paid off, apply its payment toward the next smallest one. After the second card is paid off, apply what you were paying on the first and second toward the third smallest. That’s the snowball in action!

When you’re on a roll like this, it starts getting exciting. Those “impossible” balances that have worried you and robbed you of your peace will begin diminishing before your very eyes.

What if I don’t have debt?

You don’t have debt – awesome! Stay that way! But just so you understand the consequences of debt, look at the following scenario:

You have just started your first job and received a credit card with a $4500 limit at 18% interest.

With your credit card you purchased some really cool things: a new tv ($1200), a new wardrobe ($800), a new computer ($1200), and decided to reward yourself with a great vacation ($1300). You have maxed out your card and now owe $4500 at 18% interest. Use the debt calculator to find out how long it will take you to pay off your credit card without adding any additional money to your monthly payment.

Section 5

Read the following verses

Psalm 37:21; Proverbs 3:27-28.

1. What do these verses say about debt repayment?

Watch this video

2. Do you find yourself paying debts or bills promptly? Why or why not?

Read the following verse

2 Kings 4: 1-7.

3. What principles on getting out of debt can you identify from this passage?

4. How could you apply these principles to your current situation?

Section 6

Read the Income & Spending Notes below and answer the following questions.

1. What did you learn that was especially helpful from the notes?

2. How can you apply what you learned to your current situation?

3. What is one action step you will take as a result of this week’s study?