Workaholism | Dan Deeble | Creatures of Habit
Teaching Notes
“Remember the Day of Rest, to keep it holy. Six days you will do all your work. But the seventh day is a Day of Rest to the Lord your God. You, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, your cattle, or the traveler who stays with you, must not do any work on this day. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them. And He rested on the seventh day. So the Lord gave honor to the Day of Rest and made it holy.
Exodus 20:8-11
Workaholic Assessment Questions:
Do you check your email before you eat in the morning, at stoplights, and in the bathroom?
Do you create checklists that are almost impossible to complete?
Have you put off seeing your doctor for health concerns because it will interfere with your work?
Do you have a time set aside each week when you refuse to work?
Do your loved ones often ask you to stop working?
Do you have a hard time shutting off “work thoughts” at night?
Do you tell a significant other that you’re “packing up” to come home from work even though you’re not actually packing up?
Do you “sneak work” at important events such as wedding receptions, kid activities, or...church?
Do you feel guilty for not working even when it’s not expected of you?
Do you feel less excitement when you complete a project than you thought you would?
“...no one wants to be known as an addict. But workaholism is different. It seems to be the most respectable sin in the Christian community.”
Steve Poe, Creatures of Habit
“...those with workaholic tendencies report health complaints and had increased risk for metabolic syndrome; they also reported a higher need for recovery, more sleep problems, more cynicism, more emotional exhaustion, and more depressive feelings than employees who merely worked long hours but did not have workaholic tendencies.”
Harvard Business Review, March 2018
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”
Genesis 2:2
OUR “WORKFLOW PROCESS”
God: WORK - FINISH - REST
Us: REST - WORK - ????
Three Foundational Truths:
1. Rest is given, not earned
2. God is the only true finisher
“What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest.”
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23
3. When we refuse to rest, we are trying to become our own god.
Here’s the challenge:
Take a Day!
No Work
No Tech
No Shopping
Where you arrive into your 7th day feeling so unaccomplished, so unfinished, so undone, so unproductive, so disappointed with all you didn’t knock out, so frustrated and irritated with others, so fried, and haggard in your spirit and you say:
You need a day. Guard it with your life. Don’t let anyone have that day. Make it a non-negotiable, completely off limits day from your work.
God, you are the only finisher.
So all that is unfinished today is yours.
I rest not b/c I’m done
I rest because I am yours.
In my house, this day is Sunday and I call it FREEDOM DAY. Freedom from the tyranny and shackles of everything that binds and separates us. And what do I do?
Sleep
Nap
Pray & read the Bible
Garden
Cook bacon
Make a great meal
Garden
Read a good book or newspaper
Play an instrument or boardgame
Go on a walk, enjoy nature
Be silent, spend time alone with God
Play a sport
Grill
Invite over the neighbors
Join your A2 Community
Call a loved one
Go to bed early
What you’ll experience:
Healthy Distance: Urgent things will become less urgent, some things even just go away
Clarity/Vision: Confusing things will become more clear
Emotional Health: you’ll be less irritable, less rest-less, more present, more grounded.
Connection: You’ll be a ready “Yes” to those you love
Energy: you’ll be refreshed and ready to go come Monday
Success: maybe KC Joes and Chic Filet and the Amish are onto something, huh?
God: God wants this for you. But He also wants this with you.
But the seventh day is a Day of Rest to the Lord your God.
Exodus 20:10
Because that’s His end game.
He wants this for you.
He wants this with you.
Going Deeper Discussion
What did you score in the assessment?
Did any of the questions stop you in your tracks? (Note: see below for reference)
Have you ever considered that your refusal to not rest is actually rooted in idolatry? What do you think about that?
Will you take the challenge? Yes or no-- and why?
What’s your sabbath plan and what do you think will be your greatest challenge in sticking to it? What do you think will be your greatest joy?
Sunday Set List
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
We Praise You- Brandon Lake
Reckless Love- Passion feat./Melonie Malone
Way Maker- Leeland
WFC Speedway
Forever Reign- Hillsong Worship
Great Are You Lord- All Sons and Daughters
Death Was Arrested- North Point Worship
Graves Into Gardens- Elevation Worship
Be sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!