RESOURCE: Teaming with Others in the Workplace

Workplace settings are a great venue for helping others come to know Christ. We work with the same colleagues everyday, so we have a chance to get to know them and show the reality of Christ in our lives. On-going conversations can occur naturally about life, family, work and dreams. All we have to do is show interest, ask questions, love, pray and listen. It is also a natural place where we can invite others to read the Bible with us before work, over lunch or after work at a restaurant or in our homes in the evenings.

But like any task, it is easier (and more fun) to work at it together with others. It makes the work much easier when everyone helps by using their strengths, gifts and resources. In fact, I heard a speaker once say, “The more committed believers a person knows, the more plausible the Gospel becomes.”

Consider the following quotes in regard to teaming
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

"A careful reading of Acts and the Epistles reveals that every single missionary initiative conducted by the early church was a team effort." Paul Thompson, Author

"We are smarter collectively. Listen to others and work together." Sam Walton, Wal*mart Founder

"God is calling together little communities of the heart, to fight for one another and for the hearts of those who have not yet been set free." John Eldridge, Author

Spend some time meditating and praying over the following passages from the Bible on teaming. What do you observe?

• 1 Samuel 14:1-14 – Power of two working together (Jonathan & his armor bearer).
• 2 Samuel 23:15-16 – David’s three mighty men doing together what others thought impossible.
• Psalm 133:1-3 – God blesses when we live in unity with others.
• Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
• Daniel 3 – Story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed'nego standing together against the king
• Matthew 18:19 – God honors it when we agree in prayer.
• Mark 6:7 – Jesus sent out the 12 two-by-two.
• Luke 10:1 – Jesus called 70 and sent them out two-by-two.
• John 13:34-35 – Loving one another shows the reality of Christ in our lives.
• Acts 4:32-35 – The early believers shared life together.
• Acts 13:1-3, 13-16 – Paul and his company together on their first missionary journey.
• Acts 16:1-10 – God working through Paul and his company.
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-26 – We are a body, caring for each other, working together.
• Ephesians 4:1-5 – We are encouraged to maintain the unity of the Spirit with others.
• Hebrews 3:13 – Importance of staying accountable to one another.
• Hebrews 10:24-25 – Stir up and encourage one another.
• James 5:16 – Importance of praying for one another.
• 1 Peter 2:4-5 – We are all being built into a spiritual house together.

Think for a minute of who you know from the following relational networks with whom you could talk about working together to help others come to know Christ in workplace settings.

• Co-workers in your workplace - Neighbors
• Your spouse or extended family members - Those in your social networks
• Christians from other ethnic backgrounds - Business owners you know
• Other committed Christians who are reaching out - Sport connections
• Church connections - Those in existing Bible study groups

Here are a few ideas on how you can team with other Christians in sharing Christ in workplace settings:

• Regularly pray together for each other and friends who do not yet know Christ.
• Encourage one another in your walks with Christ. Regularly share what God is doing in your life or what you are learning from the Word.
• Build relationships together. Two or three of you team up and take another person out to lunch or go to a special event together. You can do this as couples as well.
• Join the company golf, bowling or softball league together with another Christian.
• Host a Bible reading group together for fellow work colleagues. Divide up the tasks, and use your strengths and gifts on the team.
• Talk with another business owner and work together to start Bible reading groups in your business settings.
• Host a Faith@Work luncheon together where you can encourage other believers to bring their fellow work colleagues, and have someone share how their faith in Christ has impacted their lives.
• Host a golf outing with others from various work settings and have a great time building memories and relationships together with work colleagues who do not yet know Christ.
• Pray together for specific needs in the lives of your fellow work colleagues, and do things together to be of help.
• Do a community service project together and invite your work colleagues to join you. Give them a chance to see the love of Christ in action.

Ask God to guide you as you seek to team with others. He will give you ideas and bring people to mind whom you can invite to join you. May the Lord richly bless your efforts to see others in your workplace come to know Him through teaming with others.