## **I. Introduction: The World’s Hustle vs.

God’s Rhythm (5-10 min)**

**Hook:**
- *"We live in a world that worships busyness—burnout is a badge of honor. But
Jesus slept during storms, took breaks, and changed history in just 3 years. What
does He know that we don’t?"*
**Key Question:**
*"How can we be productive without losing our souls?"*
**Text:** *"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest."* (Matthew 11:28)
## **1. The World’s Definition vs. God’s Definition**

## **II. God’s Original Design for Work (10 min)**

### **1. Work Before the Fall (Genesis 1:28; 2:15)**

- Adam and Eve were given meaningful work *before* sin entered.

- **Productivity was joyful, purposeful, and unstressed.**

### **1. Work as Worship (Colossians 3:23-24)**

The world says, *"Work to achieve."* But God says, *"Work to glorify Me."*

- Whether you’re studying, working a job, or serving at home, do it **as unto the Lord**.

- Productivity isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about **faithfulness**.

*"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."* —1
Corinthians 10:31

### **2. The Curse: When Work Became Toil (Genesis 3:17-19)**

- Thorns, sweat, and frustration entered labor.

- **But Jesus redeemed work (Colossians 3:23)!**

**Illustration:** A gardener who loves planting vs. one who sees it as backbreaking labor—
same task, different hearts.
| **World’s View** | **Biblical View** |
|-----------------|------------------|
| "Get more done, faster." | "Do what God assigned, faithfully." (John 17:4) |
| "Hustle = Success." | "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5) -
PETER FISHED THE WHOLE NIGHT AND HAD NO CATCH
| "Burnout is normal." | "Come to Me, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) |
| "Measure output." | "Measure fruitfulness." (Gal. 5:22-23) |
**Key Difference:** The world worships *efficiency*; God values
*faithfulness*.

**Productivity is not just about doing more—it’s about

doing what matters, with wisdom, excellence, and
stewardship, for God’s glory and the good of others.**
In our pursuit of productivity, we must also remember the importance
of balance. The Lord calls us to rest and rejuvenation. In Exodus 20:8-
10, we are reminded, “Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy. Six days
you shall labor and do all your work.” Productivity does not mean
endless toil but includes resting in God’s presence, creating space for
Him to refresh our spirits. Our efficiency in the kingdom is nourished
when we are rooted in Christ, taking time to recharge and reconnect.
Productivity is Fruitfulness, Not Just Busyness**
Jesus said, *"I am the vine; you are the branches. Apart from Me, you can do
nothing."* (John 15:5)
- **True productivity is bearing spiritual fruit** (Galatians 5:22-23 – love, joy,
peace, etc.).
Productivity Requires Wisdom, Not Just Hustle
Many believe that productivity means doing more, faster. But the Bible emphasizes
wisdom over mere activity.
- *"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty
comes only to poverty."* (Proverbs 21:5)
- Jesus prioritized rest and prayer (Mark 1:35). Even God rested on the seventh day
(Genesis 2:2).
**Warning:** *If the devil can’t make you lazy, he’ll make you busy—but not for
God’s purposes.*

## **3. What Productivity Is NOT**

❌ **Busyness without purpose** (Luke 10:41-42 – Martha’s distraction).

❌ **Neglecting rest** (Exodus 20:8-11 – Sabbath commandment).

❌ **Self-reliance** (Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Lean not on your own understanding").

❌ **Comparison** (2 Corinthians 10:12 – "Comparing themselves to themselves").

- *"Busyness is not a spiritual gift."*

- *"You can’t pour out what you don’t have."*

- *"God doesn’t need your hustle—He wants your heart."*

What True Productivity IS**

. PRODUCTIVITY IS STEWARDSHIP, NOT SELFISHNESS**

God has entrusted each of us with:
- **Time** (Psalm 90:12 – *"Teach us to number our days…"*)
- **Talents** (1 Peter 4:10 – *"Use your gifts to serve others."*)
- **Treasures** (Matthew 6:21 – *"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also."*)
We often think productivity is about personal achievement, but Scripture teaches
that our time and talents belong to God.
- *"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as
faithful stewards of God’s grace."* (1 Peter 4:10)
- The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) warns against wasting what God
has entrusted to us.
✅ **DOING THE RIGHT THINGS** (GOD’S ASSIGNMENTS, NOT JUST
URGENT TASKS).
### **1. Noah: Productivity Through Obedience (Genesis 6–9)**
**Task:** Build an ark (a 500-foot-long ship) in a world that had never seen rain.
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- Took **120 years** of relentless labor while preaching repentance (2 Peter 2:5).
- No modern tools, no hired workers—just Noah, his family, and God’s blueprint.
**Key Lesson:** *Productivity starts with obeying God’s instructions, even when
they seem absurd.*
God’s assignments > human hustle.
**"Productivity isn’t about how much you accomplish—it’s about how much you fulfill God’s
purpose for your life.

✅ **WORKING WITH EXCELLENCE** (COLOSSIANS 3:23 – "AS FOR THE LORD").

Example:Daniel’s excellence in Babylon (Dan. 6:3).
### **2. Joseph: Productivity in Prison (Genesis 39–41)**
**Task:** Rise from slave to prisoner to prime minister of Egypt.
- **Proverbs 22:29** – *"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before
kings."*
- **Colossians 3:23** – Work as unto the Lord.
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- **In prison**, Joseph interpreted dreams and managed Pharaoh’s officials (Gen.
39:22–23).
- Later, he stored **20 years’ worth of food** to save nations from famine.
**Key Lesson:** *Faithfulness in small things leads to promotion (Luke 16:10).*
Faithfulness > fame.**

✅ **BALANCING WORK AND REST** (MARK 6:31 – JESUS’ CALL TO "COME AWAY
AND REST").
. Rest is God’s Design (Exodus 20:8-10)**

The world glorifies burnout, but God **commands rest**.

- The Sabbath wasn’t a suggestion—it was a gift.

- True productivity includes **trusting God**—not striving in our own strength.

*"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for He grants sleep to those
He loves."* —Psalm 127:2

✅ **BEARING ETERNAL FRUIT** (JOHN 15:16 – "FRUIT THAT WILL LAST").

Eternal Productivity > Temporary Success** your latest archieve will be history
soon on this earth
*"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but treasures in heaven."*
(Matthew 6:19-20)
- **A soul saved is more valuable than a million tasks completed.**
- **Only what’s done for Christ will last.**
The most productive life is one lived in surrender to Jesus—faithful in little,
entrusted with much (Luke 16:10). Let’s work, rest, and serve in a way that stores
up eternal rewards!
- Read *Revelation 14:13* – *"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… their
deeds follow them!"*
- **Legacy > Output.** Live for what lasts.

Pitfalls to Avoid
1. The Idol of "More"**

- *"What good is it to gain the world but lose your soul?"* (Mark 8:36)

- **Ecclesiastes 2:11** – Solomon’s pursuit of productivity was "meaningless"

without God.
- **Matthew 6:33** – Seek first God’s kingdom.
Hurry Sickness**

- *"Be still and know that I am God."* (Psalm 46:10)

Neglecting Rest**
- **Exodus 20:8-11** – Sabbath is God’s design.
- **Mark 6:31** – Jesus said, *"Come away and rest."*
### **3. Comparison**

- *"They compare themselves with themselves—fools."* (2 Cor. 10:12)

**Story:** A farmer who uprooted his crops daily to check growth—and killed them.

. The Martha Syndrome: Busyness ≠ Productivity**

- **Luke 10:38-42** – Martha was "worried and distracted," but Mary chose the
"better thing" (sitting at Jesus’ feet).
- **Lesson:** Don’t sacrifice intimacy with God for activity.
**Quote:** *" AT THE END OF THE DAY ,You are a human being, not a human
doing

Practical Steps Toward Godly Productivity**

1. Start with the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)**

- *"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit."*

1.Ask:"What has God called me to do?"* (Prayer > planning).

. Start with God’s Purpose**
- **"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works"**
(Ephesians 2:10).
- Productivity begins by asking: *"What has God called me to do?"*
- **Example:** DAVID ASKING GOD IF HE SHOULD PURSUE EVEN WHEN
HE HAD A CLEAR POINT TO DO SO?
**Application:**
- Pray over your goals AND INTENTIONS.
- Discern between *man’s busywork* and *God’s assignments*.

2. **Eliminate:** Cut distractions (Hebrews 12:1 – "Throw off hindrances").

3. **Delegate:** You don’t have to do it all (Exodus 18:17-23 – Jethro’s advice to
Moses).
4. **Rest:** Schedule margin (Psalm 23:2 – "He makes me lie down").
5. **Measure:** Not by to-do lists, but by *obedience and fruit* (Matthew 25:21 –
"Well done, good and faithful servant").

PRODUCTIVITY BY JESUS AT THE POOL

. Do Less—But Do It Well**

- **Biblical Parallel:** Jesus healed one man at Bethesda instead of the whole crowd (John
5).

**Lesson:** Do fewer things—but do them *well*.

WHY DIDN’T GOD BUILD THE WHOLE WORLD IN A DAY ?

IF IT MUST BE DONE THEN IT MUST BE DONE WELL.
*"The world says ‘do more.’ God says ‘do what I assigned—with My strength.’"*

Jesus: Perfect Productivity (John 17:4; 19:30)**

**Task:** Redeem humanity in **3.5 years** of ministry.
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- Prioritized **prayer over crowds** (Mark 1:35).
- Said, *"I finished the work You gave Me to do"* (John 17:4).
- **Never rushed, yet never late** (e.g., waited 30 years to start ministry, delayed 2
days before raising Lazarus).
**Key Lesson:** *True productivity is doing **only** what the Father assigns
(John 5:19).*
- Only did what the Father showed Him

The "Jesus Model": Focused Mission**

**Example:** Doctors Without Borders

- Action:Targets **one crisis at a time** (famine, war, disease) with intense focus.

- **Productivity Secret:** Saying **"no" to good things** to say **"yes" to the best**.

**Obedience > busyness.**

### **4. Measure Fruit, Not Activity**

- *"I chose you to bear fruit that lasts."* (John 15:16)

### **5. Work with Excellence**

- **"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord"**
(Colossians 3:23).
- Daniel’s excellence made him stand out in Babylon (Daniel 6:3).
## **VI. Closing (5 minutes)**

STORY MODELS
### **1. Noah: Productivity Through Obedience (Genesis 6–9)**
**Task:** Build an ark (a 500-foot-long ship) in a world that had never seen rain.
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- Took **120 years** of relentless labor while preaching repentance (2 Peter 2:5).
- No modern tools, no hired workers—just Noah, his family, and God’s blueprint.
**Key Lesson:** *Productivity starts with obeying God’s instructions, even when
they seem absurd.*

### **2. Joseph: Productivity in Prison (Genesis 39–41)**

**Task:** Rise from slave to prisoner to prime minister of Egypt.
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- **In prison**, Joseph interpreted dreams and managed Pharaoh’s officials (Gen.
39:22–23).
- Later, he stored **20 years’ worth of food** to save nations from famine.
**Key Lesson:** *Faithfulness in small things leads to promotion (Luke 16:10).*
### **3. Bezalel & Oholiab: Supernatural Skill (Exodus 31:1–11)**
**Task:** Build the Tabernacle (a mobile worship tent with intricate designs).
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- God **filled them with His Spirit** to craft gold, wood, and fabrics (Ex. 31:3–5).
- They trained others—a model for teamwork (Ex. 35:34).
**Key Lesson:** *God empowers His people with creativity and skill for His
projects.*

### **4. Nehemiah: Strategic Productivity (Nehemiah 1–6)**

**Task:** Rebuild Jerusalem’s walls in **52 days** while under attack.
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- Organized teams by families (Neh. 3).
- Worked **with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other** (Neh. 4:17).
**Key Lesson:** *Prayer + planning + perseverance = impossible results.*

### **5. The Early Church: Exponential Impact (Acts 2:41–47; 4:32–37)**
**Task:** Spread the Gospel globally, starting with 120 people.
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- **3,000 saved in one day** (Acts 2:41).
- Shared resources so **"there were no needy among them"** (Acts 4:34).
**Key Lesson:** *Unity + generosity + Holy Spirit = unstoppable growth.*

### **6. Paul: Relentless Mission (Acts 16–28; 2 Corinthians 11:23–28)**

**Task:** Plant churches across the Roman Empire.
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- Wrote **13+ NT books** while traveling, beaten, and imprisoned.
- Said, *"I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but God’s grace"* (1 Cor.
15:10).
**Key Lesson:** *God’s grace fuels supernatural endurance.*

### **7. Jesus: Perfect Productivity (John 17:4; 19:30)**

**Task:** Redeem humanity in **3.5 years** of ministry.
**Mind-Blowing Facts:**
- Prioritized **prayer over crowds** (Mark 1:35).
- Said, *"I finished the work You gave Me to do"* (John 17:4).
- **Never rushed, yet never late** (e.g., waited 30 years to start ministry, delayed 2
days before raising Lazarus).
**Key Lesson:** *True productivity is doing **only** what the Father assigns
(John 5:19).*

### **BONUS: The Ant – God’s Tiny Productivity Coach (Proverbs 6:6–8)**
- **No boss, yet gathers food seasonally.**
- **Works collaboratively.**
**Key Lesson:** *Self-discipline + preparation = success.*

### **Conclusion: The Ultimate Productivity Hack**

These examples show:
1. **God’s assignments > human hustle.**
2. **Obedience > busyness.**
3. **Faithfulness > fame.**
STORY 2
### **The Parable of the Three Builders: A Story About True Productivity**

*(Based on Matthew 7:24-27, Proverbs 6:6-8, and Ecclesiastes 4:6)*

#### **1. The Hasty Builder (The Burnout)**

Once, a builder named **LOOK SHARP** wanted to construct the tallest tower in
the land. He worked **day and night**, skipping meals, ignoring his family, and
refusing help.
- **His Motto:** *"More hours = more success!"*
- **His Mistake:** He built on sand—quick progress, but no foundation.
One stormy night, his tower **collapsed**. Exhausted, he cried, *"I worked so
hard… for nothing!"*
**Lesson:** *"Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain."* (Psalm
127:1)

#### **2. The Lazy Builder (The Sluggard)**

Next door lived **MAN TAYA **, who loved naps more than labor.
- **His Motto:** *"A little sleep, a little slumber…"* (Proverbs 6:10)
- **His Mistake:** He ignored the ant’s wisdom (Proverbs 6:6-8) and never started
building.
When winter came, he had **no shelter** and shivered in the cold.
**Lesson:** *"Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor."*
(Proverbs 12:24)

---
The Wise Builder (The Fruitful Steward)**
Finally, there was **NYAME NSA WOM**, who built a modest but sturdy home.
- **His Habits:**
- **Prayed first** (Proverbs 3:5-6).
- **Worked steadily** (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
- **Rested weekly** (Exodus 20:8-11).
- **Helped neighbors** (Galatians 6:2).
When storms raged, his house **stood firm**.
**Lesson:** *"Blessed are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice."*
(Luke 6:48)

### **The Moral of the Story**

1. **LOOK SHARP** = Burnout (working without God).
2. **MAN TAYA = Waste (ignoring God’s gifts).
3. **NYAME NSA WOM** = Fruitfulness (working *with* God).

**Key Question:** *Which builder are you?*

**Invitation:**
*"Come to Jesus—His yoke is easy, His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Let Him
teach you to labor in rest."*

### **Modern Application**

- **For Workaholics:** Schedule rest like a meeting with God.
- **For Procrastinators:** Start small—do *one thing* today (Proverbs 13:4).
- **For the Wise:** Keep balancing work, worship, and love.

**Final Thought:**
*"Productivity isn’t about building your empire—it’s about building God’s
kingdom."*