• Model of the Garden of Eden—Adam and Eve were tasked to tend to the garden and have dominion over creation; these tasks were given in the context of a good relationship with God and had daily tasks and fellowship.
• Tasks are one of the ways that we give to others—a gift requires tasks to be done before presenting it to a person.
• “It is finished” is one of the most wonderful statements in the Bible—a difficult task motivated by love that only Christ had the power to do; we steward our strength, gifts, and abilities to do difficult things out of a love for God and others.
• Servants/slaves of God—the role that we take on implies a willingness to do anything that the master needs; nothing is below us.
• Redeem the time—a task serves many from a distance; just because a person is not right in front of me while I work does not mean I’m not doing people work.

Opening Questions

1. We know it is possible to be too task oriented. Is it possible to be too people oriented?
2. This is a bit of a trick question; loving God and one another will require a series of tasks. Tasks cannot always become the second priority to talking with a person. Balance will be part of any correct answer.
3. What tasks has God done for us?
4. Creation, redemption, sustains the universe, prepares a future home for us, controls every circumstance—without tasks we would have nothing to see.

Closing Thoughts

• Seek for balance—don’t avoid tasks by being with people, and don’t avoid people by doing tasks
• Respect each other’s task time and fellowship time.