Northside Christian Church

1. Why Work Feels Heavy

2. Two Enemies of Finding Joy at Work

3. Working From Meaning, Nor For Meaning

4. Find Joy In the Doing, Not Just In the Outcome

Discussion Questions
1. What’s one thing you love about your job (or when you had a job if you’re retired)? What’s one thing that was frustrating about your job?

2. Think about the people at work who seem to enjoy their job the most. What’s one thing they do that makes work feel lighter for them?

DIGGING DEEPER: These questions are designed to help you reflect on and discuss the message with others. You can use them in your community group, with a friend, or even with your spouse. You don’t have to cover every question—focus on the ones that spark the most meaningful conversation for you. Or simply let them serve as a springboard for talking through the ideas from the message that stood out to you.

1. The message suggested that many frustrations and disappointments comes from expectations, not just circumstances. Where have you seen that play out in your own work life recently?

2. What are some things people today commonly expect work to provide (identity, purpose, validation, security)? Which of those feel most tempting for you personally?

3. Ecclesiastes says toil often flows from envy. Where do you notice comparison shaping your motivation, stress, or sense of worth at work?

4. Have you ever felt discouraged or disillusioned even while doing work you believed was meaningful or good? What expectations were exposed in that season?

5. The message distinguished between faithfulness and impact. Why is that distinction important, especially for people who want their work to help others?

6. How can tying identity too closely to work make success intoxicating and failure devastating? Where do you see that risk in yourself or others?

7. Ecclesiastes says the ability to enjoy work is a gift from God. What practices or mindset shifts might help you receive enjoyment rather than demand it from your job?

8. What is one expectation you may need to release this week so that work can become lighter, even if it doesn’t become easier?