8 Week Back to School Series on Work & Rest

Preteens are setting patterns of thought which can last them a life-time. And one of the patterns of thought that can greatly impact the direction of a person’s life is their way of thinking about work and rest. In this series, we take a look at what God’s word and world show us about work and rest, and discover a new work ethic… that, as it turns out, is full of rest, peace, and joy.

When school starts up each year, the seven days of the week, and the letters “S.M.T.W.T.F.S.” can represent a seemingly endless cycle of work, responsibility, and drudgery for many preteens. In the “School Days” series, we use those same letters “S.M.T.W.T.F.S.” to stand for seven fresh ways of seeing work and responsibility.

Our hope with this fall series is that you can begin your preteens’ new school year in a healthy, God-honoring direction. By introducing this series in the fall, your preteens can establish positive attitudes towards the course set before them, and a great pattern of doing all the work that their hands find to do. We hope that this year, more than ever, your preteens have peaceful and joy-filled School Days.

School Days Overview

Lesson 1: See God’s Works
Scripture: John 5:17, Colossians 1:17, John 14:3, Psalm 121, Philippians 2:13, Psalm 8, Psalm 145:7-13
Bottom Line – When we realize that God is working every day, all day, and he doesn’t even have to, it can help to encourage us as we work.

Lesson 2: Make our Work for God
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-45; Philippians 2:14-15
Bottom Line – When I focus on working for God, it can really help me to work with a much better attitude.

Lesson 3: Think of God Serving Us
Scripture: Matthew 20:28; Romans 5:8; I Peter 4:5; Romans 6:23
Bottom Line – The work that Jesus did for you on the Cross is truly amazing!

Lesson 4: Work Hard Because of What We Have
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9; John 13:14-15; John 13:3-4; Philippians 2:6-8; Romans 8:17; I Corinthians 3:22; Romans 8:16; John 14:2-3; Acts 1:8
Bottom Line – Christians don’t work hard to be saved; we work hard because of what we already have.

Lesson 5: Think of God’s Smile as he Works.
Scripture: Genesis 1; Psalm 139:13; Ephesians 2:10; Isaiah 64:8; Luke 15; Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10; Philippians 2:13; Philippians 1:6
Bottom Line - God is working out all the things about you that aren’t perfect, and it’s his joy to do so.

Lesson 6: Focus on the Future
Scripture: John 10:10; John 16:24; Philippians 2:14-16; Colossians 3:23; Ephesians 6:7; Hebrews 12:1-2; Colossians 3:2
Bottom Line – When you set your mind on what’s ahead and on what’s above, joy and work will go together.

Lesson 7: See God Rest….When He’s Finished
Scripture: Psalm 121:3-4; Genesis 17:1; Genesis 2:1-3; John 19:30; Matthew 28:20; Philippians 1:6
Bottom Line - God finishes what he starts and THEN he rests. That’s great news!

Lesson 8: Entering God’s Rest (Even as You Work)
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4; Psalm 118:24; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 3:13-14
Bottom Line - It is possible to rest, even as you are working hard.