SESSION 4
Sloth
Summary and Goal
Sloth (or laziness) is a widespread and common problem, and simply nagging people to be harder
workers will not cure it. This is because sloth begins in the heart. In this session, we will discover how
sloth is more related to carelessness than to boredom or fatigue and how it is fundamentally a problem
of belief and worship. Finally, we will see in the Bible how the Holy Spirit, who has indwelled believers
in Christ, empowers believers to “make every effort.”
Steps to Prepare
1.  Read the main passages for this lesson, recording your insights and questions:
-- Ecclesiastes 9:10
-- 1 Corinthians 10:31
-- Philippians 3:12-16
2.  Study the Expanded Lesson Content (pp. 46-53).
-- Determine what elements of this lesson are most applicable to your particular group.
-- Consider ways to personalize the lesson content for you and your class.
3.  Review the Teaching Plan (pp. 44-45).
-- Refine the lesson plan based on your group’s particular needs.
-- Adjust the plan if necessary.
4.  Pray for the Lord’s guidance as you lead your group through this material.
Lesson Outline
1.  Sloth is essentially apathy (Eccl. 9:10).
2.  Sloth is a worship problem (1 Cor. 10:31).
3.  Power to overcome sloth comes from the Holy Spirit (Phil. 3:12-16).
Session 4
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43
Teaching Plan
Sloth
Session 4
For Further
Discussion
What evidence can you
give from the media or pop
culture that sloth is seen as
amusing or entertaining?
Introduction
Begin the session with discussion about cultural attitudes toward sloth. Use
the issue of “adultolescence” to illustrate how these attitudes may differ from
generation to generation (leader pp. 46-47; personal study guide [PSG] p. 35).
What are some signs you see that people are taking longer
to grow up than they used to?
What are some modern
examples of sloth leading
to destruction?
What do you think are the main reasons for this delay?
Summarize this lesson and transition to the first point (leader p. 47; PSG p. 36).
For Further
Discussion
Why is boredom not a good
excuse for sloth?
1. S
loth is essentially apathy.
Introduce Ecclesiastes 9:10 by placing it in its biblical context. After you
read this verse, show how sloth can be defined as apathy, or carelessness
(leader p. 48; PSG p. 36).
Do you agree that sloth is essentially carelessness?
Why or why not?
For Further
Discussion
Theologian Karl Barth
suggested that sloth is
hateful (Voices quote—
leader p. 49; PSG p. 37).
Do you agree? Why or
why not?
In what ways is carelessness similar to lovelessness?
Explain the four things sloth is not (leader pp. 48-49; PSG pp. 37-38):
• Stillness isn’t always sloth.
• Sabbath isn’t sloth.
• Recreation isn’t sloth.
• Retirement from a job isn’t sloth.
In what areas of life do you find it easiest to be slothful?
What is the root of our apathy?
2. Sloth is a worship problem.
Link Ecclesiastes 9:10 to 1 Corinthians 10:31, and place the latter verse in
context. Use “Further Commentary” if needed (leader p. 50). After you read
1 Corinthians 10:31, show how it has extended implications in different areas
of our lives (leader p. 50; PSG p. 39).
44
Leader Guide | Winter 2014-15
Explain that giving God the glory He is due is a description of worship, and
because all of life is worship—either of God or of idols—we are never not
worshiping, even when we’re doing nothing at all. This is the idolatry of sloth
(leader p. 50; PSG p. 39). Use Dorothy Sayers’ comments on the apathetic
spirit in the heart of the slothful as you see fit (leader p. 50).
What are some areas of your life where you need to be
more conscious of bringing God glory?
For Further
Discussion
How might Philippians 3:12-16
apply to someone who has
been a Christian a long time
but is still slothful?
What would it look like, for instance, to wash dishes or
clothes to the glory of God?
Frame sloth as a failure to be astonished by God and what He has done in
Christ. When we are amazed by God’s grace, we cannot help but worship
and serve (leader p. 51; PSG p. 40).
How would being amazed by God aid in the battle
against sloth?
Allow group members a few moments of self-reflection to consider what gods they
worship when they are lazy. Members can use the space in their PSG to write or
draw their response to the question (PSG p. 40).
3. Power to overcome sloth comes from the Holy Spirit.
Warring against sloth takes effort, but it must be the right kind of effort.
With Philippians 3:12-16, Paul illustrated what we might call “grace-driven
effort” because grace is not opposed to effort but to earning. Read the passage,
asking group members to listen for the reason Paul gives in verse 12 for
making every effort to reach the goal (leader pp. 51-52; PSG p. 41).
Show how the gospel should empower us to make every effort in our sanctification
and sustain us while we are not “there” yet (leader p. 52; PSG pp. 41-42).
What adjective does Paul use to describe the person
who reaches forward and pursues the promised prize?
What does this say about sloth?
Conclusion
Reiterate that sloth is a worship problem, but God has saved us in Christ
and given us the Holy Spirit that we may work to worship Him rightly
(leader p. 53; PSG p. 42). If time permits, consider asking the sloth diagnostic
questions for your group members to examine themselves regarding the sin of
sloth (leader p. 53).
Apply the truths of this lesson with “His Mission, Your Mission” (PSG p. 34).
See sidebar for direction.
His Mission,
Your Mission
Lead your group through
“Live on Mission” (PSG p. 43).
.........................................................
Optional: Read the quote by
D. A. Carson (leader p. 51;
PSG p. 43), and ask the
following questions:
• Which example of slothful
drift do you struggle
with most?
• How have you been
encouraged to work
against this slothful drift as
a result of this lesson?
Session 4
45
Expanded Lesson Content
Sloth
Session 4
Voices from
Church History
“[If] we would be holy,
we must get to the cross
and dwell there; else
notwithstanding all our
labour and diligence,
and fasting and praying,
and good works, we
shall yet be void of
real sanctification.” 1
–John Berridge (1716-1793)
46
Introduction
I was not raised to be lazy.
I have very few childhood
memories that involve my dad’s
presence, and as I look back
now, I realize it was because
he was working a lot. My dad
was not a workaholic. He just
worked hard at jobs—public
school teacher and later retail
store management—that
required long hours. He
simply did what men of his generation were appropriately taught to do:
provide for their families. The slothful tendencies in me, if they have any
connection to my upbringing, are pure rebellion, not conditioning.
But we don’t need much training in laziness anyway. You condition
someone to be lazy by not conditioning them at all. Laziness, by
definition, is easy. And the temptation to do nothing is hardly a
temptation; it’s just a default setting in my heart. I have to work to make
myself work. My dad echoed the common dad-ism: “It’s supposed to be
hard. That’s why they call it work.”
This has become harder and harder for men of my generation, perhaps
because we have seen the toll addiction to work has taken on our parents and
grandparents. Facing the prospects of heart attacks, obesity, stress, alcoholism,
divorce, absence from our children’s lives, dwindling employment prospects,
and less and less economic prosperity, we don’t see hard work as “worth it.”
And it’s not like we need all that many excuses to coast.
The days of American culture thinking of hard work as being its own
reward are pretty much over; we live in a culture that values efficiency and
comfort, convenience and indulgence, and, of course, money and status.
And while too many of my father’s generation and the generation before
him poured too much prideful effort into the idol of the American dream,
too many of my own have poured too much prideful effort into the idol of
not being bothered.
Leader Guide | Winter 2014-15
There has been much discussion recently about the delay of many
men and women in reaching important markers in life. Michael
Kimmel writes:
e U.S. census shows a steady and dramatic decline in the percentage
Th
of young adults, under 30, who have completed these demographic
markers [i.e., marriage, completion of college education, settling into
a career, leaving home]. In 2000, 46 percent of women and 31 percent
of men had reached those markers by age 30. In 1960, just forty years
earlier, 77 percent of women and 65 percent of men had reached them.
The passage between adolescence and adulthood has morphed from a
transitional moment to a separate life stage. Adolescence starts earlier
and earlier, and adulthood starts later and later. 2
Voices from
the Church
“It is clear that putting
our hope in Christ does
not make us passive or
inactive. If it would be
good for us and for his
glory, Christ would make
us inactive. But maximum
joy is not obtained through
sloth and empty days.” 3
–John Piper
Some cultural commentators call this delay in maturation
“adultolescence,” mashing up adulthood and adolescence into some
developmental limbo. Chances are you have friends or family stuck there
or maybe you’re stuck there yourself. Others call this the “odyssey years,”
or more critically, “Peter Pan syndrome.” Here we are, a bunch of young
adults refusing to grow up. So at 27, we live in mom’s basement drinking
her Mountain Dew and playing games on the Xbox she bought us
for Christmas.
What all this boils down to is that it is harder and harder today to
battle sloth, not just because sloth is so easy to slip into but because it is
largely seen as fun, amusing, and cute. It is widely considered a totally
justifiable and acceptable way to live one’s life. But in reality sloth is
destructive, dishonorable, and sinful.
What are some signs you see that people are taking longer
to grow up than they used to?
What do you think are the main reasons for this delay?
Lesson Summary
Sloth (or laziness) is a widespread and common problem, and simply
nagging people to be harder workers will not cure it. This is because
sloth begins in the heart. In this session, we will discover how sloth is
more related to carelessness than to boredom or fatigue and how it is
fundamentally a problem of belief and worship. Finally, students will see
in the Bible how the Holy Spirit, who has indwelled believers in Christ,
empowers believers to “make every effort.”
Session 4
47
1. Sloth is essentially apathy (Eccl. 9:10).
Further
Commentary
“Sheol refers to the grave.
The point of saying that no
work, planning, knowledge,
or wisdom occurs there is
not to deny the possibility
of the afterlife, but to
assert that we have only
one opportunity to enjoy
this world.” 5
–Duane A. Garrett,
HCSB Study Bible
Further
Commentary
“Sheol basically refers
to the realm of the
dead. According to Old
Testament usage, both
saints and sinners went
there after death. When
his older sons insisted that
they must take Benjamin
to Egypt in order to obtain
more food, Jacob argued
that if any harm came to
Benjamin, it would cause
his gray hairs to go down
to Sheol (Gen. 42:38). Job
asked God to hide him in
Sheol (Job 14:13). Some
of the Jewish apocryphal
literature describes
Sheol as having two
compartments, one for the
righteous dead, the other
for the unrighteous dead. In
Sheol, all occupants were
only shadowy replicas of
their earthly counterparts.
In fact, they were mere
‘shades,’ much as a
shadow is to a real person.
Although those in Sheol
had consciousness, they
preferred any condition of
life on earth to the most
favored status in Sheol.” 6
–Fred Howard,
Biblical Illustrator
48
What is sloth? There isn’t a passage in Scripture that lays out a
definition for us. We see the opposite of sloth, however, in a verse in
Ecclesiastes. This passage isn’t primarily about laziness; it’s about life
under the sun and how our frailty and finiteness should impact the way
we live. The author was driving home the point that our time on earth is
short, and therefore, we should make the best use of our time. In light of
eternity, we are to work. He wrote:
Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there
is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
10
So what is sloth? In Ecclesiastes 9:10, the writer tells his audience to
give all their strength in whatever they do because there will be no chance
for doing more once we reach “Sheol,” or the grave. The author is calling
everyone, including us, to recognize the temporary nature of earthly living
and to find a passion and purpose in the life that God has given us. To
disengage and to become lazy means we don’t care about bringing God
glory. Sloth is the opposite of doing something with all our might. That’s
why we define sloth as apathy.
This apathy can be a mental or emotional quality as well as a physical
one. In this sense, sloth isn’t just laziness of body but laziness of thought
or feeling as well. Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas was on to
something when he wrote, “Sloth is a kind of sadness, whereby a man
becomes sluggish.” 4 As fun as it can be to be lazy, sloth begins from a
downcast disposition or attitude, a sort of “sadness” we can call apathy or
ambivalence. The word sloth comes from the Greek word for “carelessness,”
and that is exactly what sloth is—not caring.
Do you agree that sloth is essentially carelessness?
Why or why not?
In what ways is carelessness similar to lovelessness?
We’ve seen what sloth is. Let’s also look at a few things that are
not sloth:
Stillness isn’t always sloth.
In a noisy, hurry-sick world, regular silence and stillness is a necessity.
Jesus Himself “often withdrew to deserted places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).
Times of peaceful, un-busy, prayerful meditation on God’s Word are not
laziness. God commands us to take the appropriate time to be still and
know that He is God.
Leader Guide | Winter 2014-15
Sabbath isn’t sloth.
God commands regular rest from our work. We’re supposed to work
more than we rest, but there is nothing sinful about resting, and there’s
nothing honorable about not resting. It is unwise, irresponsible, and
disobedient not to rest.
Recreation isn’t sloth.
As part of God’s command to rest and the freedom we have in
the gospel to enjoy the good gifts He gives us, there is nothing wrong
with having fun via hobbies, vacations, games and sports, arts and
entertainment, good meals, and just plain being silly. In the appropriate
measure, recreation is good for us and reflective of the joyous heart God
gives us.
Retirement from a job isn’t sloth.
We shouldn’t suggest that retirement from a career is itself greedy
or lazy or otherwise sinful; the important thing is what you do with
that retirement. Quitting a career to go on a years-long vacation
is slothful. But those who retire from a paying job to devote their
time to productive, industrious, kingdom-minded pursuits are to
be commended.
So, then, we see that sloth isn’t just about work per se but about
putting our whole selves into every aspect of life.
When it comes down to it, it is possible to be lazy about resting!
I know people who never use their allotted vacation days. They imagine
this makes them look hardworking to their bosses—and it probably
does—but it makes them foolish before the Lord. They are dragging their
feet in addressing their disobedience to the Sabbath. They are dishonoring
of their family’s need for their presence in retreat and recreation. Ironically,
they are being lazy by never stopping work!
Voices from
Church History
“The man who does not
love God resists and avoids
the fact that God is the
One He is, and that He
is this for him. He turns
his back on God, rolling
himself into a ball like a
hedgehog with prickly
spikes. At every point, as
we shall see, this is the
strange inactive action of
the slothful man. It may
be that this action often
assumes the disguise of
a tolerant indifference in
relation to God. But in fact
it is the action of the hate
which wants to be free of
God, which would prefer
that there is no God, or
that God were not the One
He is.” 7
–Karl Barth (1886-1968)
Voices from
the Church
“Sluggards are cowards. In
fact, sluggards are worse
than cowards. Cowards
might shrink back in fear
of real dangers. Sluggards
invent dangers that are
not there, and then justify
their inaction.” 8
–Peter Leithart
In what areas of life do you find it easiest to be slothful?
What is the root of our apathy?
Session 4
49
2. Sloth is a worship problem (1 Cor. 10:31).
Further
Commentary
“It has sometimes been
suggested that Paul’s
point is that even in the
most mundane aspects
of life (such as eating
and drinking) we should
concern ourselves above
all with the glory of God. Of
course that is true, but Paul
does not mention eating
and drinking primarily
because they are mundane
activities but because
those activities have been
the focus of his discussion
since the beginning of
chapter 8 and because they
were particularly dangerous
contexts, in Paul’s world,
for potential entanglement
with idolatrous activities.
The point is that when the
Corinthians think about
issues related to food and
drink (or any other issue),
their overriding concern
should not be with the
exercise of their own rights
and freedom or desires
but with the potential
implications for God’s
honor and glory. If their
practice leads others to
judge them unfavorably or
to denigrate them and the
Christian faith (vv. 29-30),
God’s glory has not been
well served. God’s glory is
served by the progress of
the gospel.” 11
The apostle Paul fleshed out Ecclesiastes 9:10 a bit in his First Letter to the
Corinthians. Paul didn’t see life as split into sacred and secular categories. In
the culture of the first century, “eating and drinking” sometimes got tangled
up in idolatrous behavior. Believers who ate meat that had once been offered to
idols could be a stumbling block to other believers with tender consciences. So,
after a lengthy explanation of why Christians should be willing to give up their
right to eat what they wanted, Paul gave this command:
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
everything for God’s glory.
31
Though this verse is framed originally by a discussion about idolatry, it has
far-reaching implications, particularly since Paul added “whatever you do” in
his instruction. Paul was linking our eating and drinking (and by extension,
all other activities) to worship! The un-slothful soul is one that glorifies God in
work and play, effort and leisure. Ask how this verse applies and you find Paul
instructing Christians to bring “God’s glory” into every aspect of their lives—
whether eating or drinking and even in resting or playing.
Giving God the glory He is due is a description of worship. And
because all of life is worship—either of God or of idols—we are never not
worshiping, even when we’re doing nothing at all. The apathy we have
identified at the heart of laziness is itself worship.
In her annotations on Dante’s Purgatorio, Canto 18, Dorothy Sayers
deftly diagnosed the apathetic spirit in the heart of the slothful:
e sin which in English is commonly called Sloth, and in Latin
Th
accidia (or more correctly acedia), is insidious, and assumes such
Protean shapes that it is rather difficult to define. It is not merely
idleness of mind and laziness of body: it is that whole poisoning of the
will which, beginning with indifference and an attitude of “I couldn’t
care less,” extends to the deliberate refusal of joy. 9
–Roy E. Ciampa
and Brian S. Rosner
Elsewhere, Sayers wrote that sloth “believes in nothing, enjoys
nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing.” 10
She would not be surprised to find that “whatever” is one of modernity’s
favorite mantras. Because sloth is essentially apathy, the problem of laziness
is essentially a problem of worship.
What are some areas of your life where you need to be
more conscious of bringing God glory?
What would it look like, for instance, to wash dishes or
clothes to the glory of God?
50
Leader Guide | Winter 2014-15
Sloth is a failure to be astonished by God and what He has done in
Christ. When we are amazed by God’s grace, our hearts erupt in worship,
exulting in His glory in song and service, Sabbath and striving.
When we truly “get” how sinful we are in light of how forgiven we
are by God in Jesus, the (super)natural result is passion. The result is
God-glorifying, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled worship. When we are in
awe of God’s glory, we will find new ways to do all things for His glory, as
1 Corinthians 10:31 commands. But when we are slothful, we are saying,
“Oh, God, You’re not such a big deal.” Staci Eastin elaborates:
[A] habit of procrastination indicates a worship problem: an
unwillingness to do the work that God has appointed for us, or
an inability to discern what He has given us and what He has not.
The procrastinator loves to hoard her time for herself rather than
work diligently in it on the errands and tasks God gives her. She would
rather blame the chaos outside of her than the chaos in her heart. 12
Eastin has helpfully contributed to how excuse-making factors into
sloth’s “whatever culture,” demonstrating how laziness, for all its donothing-ness, is a huge self-justification project.
How would being amazed by God aid in the battle
against sloth?
3. Power to overcome sloth comes from the
Holy Spirit (Phil. 3:12-16).
Further
Commentary
One of the Bible’s
most famous proverbs
is focused on sloth.
Proverbs 6:6 says: “Go to
the ant you slacker! Observe
its ways and become
wise.” Commenting on
the proverbial “sluggard,”
Mark Dever offers three
ways to recognize slothful
behavior: (1) Failing to
take advantage of present
opportunities. (2) An
inordinate love for sleep.
(3) Failing to finish what
is started. 14
Voices from
Church History
“Spiritual sloth must be
the greatest grief to the
Holy Ghost. Sloth has
always a moral reason,
not a physical one; the
self-indulgent nature must
be slothful.” 15
–Oswald Chambers
(1874-1917)
There is power beyond yourself to help you in your war on sloth.
Remember that grace is not opposed to effort but to earning. The sin of
laziness may be besetting, but we know whom we have believed in, and
we should be convinced that He is able to guard what we’ve committed
to Him (2 Tim. 1:12). If you have believed in Jesus for salvation, His
power is present within you. So steel your mind; you cannot coast into
His likeness.
D. A. Carson writes:
eople do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort,
P
people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to
Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise
and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it
freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the
indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward
prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped
legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have
been liberated. 13
Session 4
51
Further
Commentary
“It seems best…to
understand Paul as saying
he had not completed
the experiential process
begun in his salvation.
He looked forward to the
resurrection from the dead
and, secondarily, to the
process of conformity to
death which would bring
it forth…Thus the thought
of conformity to the will of
God (“becoming like him in
his death,” v. 10) continued
to be a goal because
resurrection power is
available in death. The
best explanation of this
desire is that Paul looked
ahead to the completion of
his salvation.”
“[Paul] was ‘straining
toward what is ahead.’ This
word continues the athletic
metaphor. It is particularly
graphic, bringing to mind
the straining muscles,
clear focus, and complete
dedication of the runner
in his race to the prize.
Both mental and physical
discipline were necessary.
The goal is the heavenward
call of Jesus Christ…He
lived for the day when the
heavenward call would
come, like a victory in a
race. Rather than slack off,
as some were prone to do,
the thought of it motivated
him to further purity and
service. He would get to
know every dimension of
Christ (reign and suffering),
through every means. The
joy of the process kept him
going, but he realized that
the ultimate joy was the
completion of God’s work
in his life.” 16
–Richard R. Melick Jr.
52
Throw out the excuses. Yes, the Spirit is sanctifying you, but He does
not do it through osmosis. The reality is that you will not grow in the
Christian life through stasis. You must move. But move where? Move how?
Grace-driven effort erupts from beholding the gospel (i.e., 2 Cor. 3:18).
Here is an important passage from the apostle Paul in Philippians 3.
He was talking about doing hard work, but notice how he framed this
spiritual effort:
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature,
but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold
of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of
it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to
what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly
call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, all who are mature should think this way.
And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you.
16
In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.
12
Paul bookended this instruction with something very interesting and
crucial to our efforts in fighting sloth. He first said he makes efforts because
Jesus has taken hold of him. At the end he said he was trying to live up to
the truth that he had already attained. Couched in these two past tense
accomplishments, his present tense effort was revealed as grace-driven.
He did not “get his act together” in order to keep up appearances, to
demonstrate his own powers, to prove something to himself, to climb the
corporate ladder, to feel better about himself, to write a self-help book, to
get on “Oprah,” or because he wanted to live his “best life now.” He strived
diligently, passionately, worshipfully because he had the confidence and
humility of knowing God had forgiven his hell-worthy laziness and had
justified him by the blood of Christ.
Think on this: By faith alone, through no effort of our own, God
justifies us. Justifies us. That’s staggering. Put down the remote control
and stagger.
In verse 12, Paul made it a point to say, “Not that I’ve already reached
it.” In other words, “I’m not there yet. There is still more race to run, more
ground to gain.” So part of overcoming sloth is recognizing it for what it
is: cheating, idling, wasting away.
And when you see that you are not “there” yet, you care about the
race. Believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sin, full pardon
from its debt, the receipt of His righteousness as your own, and the
promise of eternal life. And show you believe by “making every effort.”
Leader Guide | Winter 2014-15
What adjective does Paul use to describe the person
who reaches forward and pursues the promised prize?
What does this say about sloth?
Conclusion
When we believe in Jesus with saving faith, the indwelling Spirit
is suddenly there, ready and eager to produce fruit through our labors.
“I labor for this,” Paul wrote, “striving with His strength that works
powerfully in me” (Col. 1:29).
If you are flagging, dragging, or slacking, keep in the foremost of your
mind Jesus Christ, the glorious, risen, conquering, merciful, providential
Savior who loves you and has given Himself for you.
In sloth, we live as if we are God. In the Spirit, we live as if He is.
Voices from
the Church
“The people of the world
focus on what they are
overcoming. Christians
focus on what they are
becoming. Christians
know that the Holy Spirit is
conforming them into the
image of Christ.” 17
–Henry Blackaby
Voices from
Church History
Sloth Diagnostics
Ask yourself the following questions in a spirit of honesty and
seriousness. You don’t have to write your answers down or share
them with your group—unless your group is designed to be a safe
place for confession of sin and receiving biblical counsel—but be
forthright with yourself.
“A Christian is an
impregnable person. He
is a person that never can
be conquered.” 18
–Richard Sibbes
(1577-1635)
1. Do you have a difficult time starting projects?
2. Are you prone to procrastination?
3. Do you have a difficult time finishing projects?
4. W
hen people are soliciting help for something, do you try to keep a
low profile so as not to be asked?
5. Do you make a lot of excuses?
6. Would you be embarrassed if your employer knew how much time
you spend surfing the Web, chatting with friends, or just generally
goofing off while at work?
7. Do you struggle to maintain a regular time of prayer and
Bible reading?
8. Is your house constantly cluttered and/or in need of cleaning?
9. Do you have a lot of regrets about opportunities you didn’t seize?
10. D
o you pretend not to notice obvious messes or areas of attention,
expecting someone else to take care of them?
Answering yes to one or two of these questions could be an indication
of slothfulness in your life, but answering yes to more than two is
a flashing red light. It’s time to consider the ways of the ant and be
wise (Prov. 6:6).
Session 4
53
Additional Resources
Sloth
References
1. John Berridge, in The Works
of John Berridge, ed. Richard
Whittingham (London: Simpkin,
Marshall, and Company, 1838), 381.
2. Michael Kimmel, Guyland (New
York: HarperCollins, 2008), 25.
3. John Piper, “Christ Is Hallowed in
Us When We Hope in Him,” Desiring
God [online], 18 September 1994
[cited 7 March 2014]. Available from
the Internet: www.desiringgod.org.
4. The “Summa Theologica” of St.
Thomas Aquinas, Part 1, trans. Fathers
of the English Dominican Province
(London: R. & T. Washbourne, 1912), 431.
5. Duane A. Garrett, HCSB Study Bible
(Nashville: B&H, 2010), 1097, n. 9:10.
6. Fred Howard, “Hell, Hades, & Sheol,”
Biblical Illustrator (Summer 1996): 24.
7. Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics,
IV.2: The Doctrine of Reconciliation
(London: T&T Clark, 2004), 405.
8. Peter Leithart, “Sloth, or Whatever,”
First Things [online], 10 November
2004 [cited 7 March 2014]. Available
from the Internet: www.leithart.com.
9. Dante, The Divine Comedy, 2:
Purgatory, ed. and trans. Dorothy L.
Sayers (London: Penguin, 1955), 209.
10. Dorothy L. Sayers, Christian Letters
to a Post-Christian World: A Selection
of Essays (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1969), 152, quoted in Ain’t Too Proud to
Beg, by Telford Work (Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Eerdmans, 2007), 184.
11. Roy E. Ciampa and Brian S. Rosner, The
First Letter to the Corinthians, in The Pillar
New Testament Commentary (Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010), 495-96.
12. Staci Eastin, The Organized Heart
(Cruciform, 2011), quoted in “Some Great
Quotes I Enjoyed Today,” by Thabiti
Anyabwile, Pure Church [online], 6 August
2011 [cited 7 March 2014]. Available from
the Internet: thegospelcoalition.org.
13. D. A. Carson, For the Love of God,
vol. 2 (Wheaton: Crossway, 1999),
January 23 entry.
14. Mark Dever, The Message of
the Old Testament: Promises Made
(Wheaton: Crossway, 2006), 513.
15. Oswald Chambers, in The
Quotable Oswald Chambers, comp.
and ed. David McCasland (Grand
Rapids: Discovery House, 2008), 151.
16. Richard R. Melick Jr., Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32 in
The New American Commentary
(Nashville: B&H, 1991), 138-39.
17. Henry T. Blackaby and Richard
Blackaby, Experiencing God Dayby-Day (Nashville: B&H, 1998), 315.
18. Richard Sibbes, The Bruised
Reed (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth
Trust, 1998), ix.
19. Gary Newton, Heart-Deep Teaching
(Nashville: B&H, 2012), 33-35.
54
For helps on how to get started using The Gospel
Project, ideas on how to better lead groups, or
additional ideas for leading a specific session, visit:
www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.
Study Material
-- “The Long Road to Nowhere”—Chapter 1 from Just Do Something
by Kevin DeYoung
-- “Spiritual Disciplines: The Body Shaped by Grace and Gratitude”—
Chapter 10 from Earthen Vessels by Matthew Lee Anderson
-- “God Works”—Chapter 1 from Gospel-Centered Work by Tim Chester
-- “The Sin of Sloth”—Ligonier devotional; find a link to this devotional at
gospelproject.com/additionalresources
-- “Sloth: Who Cares?”—Article by Kyle Childress; find a link to this
article at gospelproject.com/additionalresources
-- Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including “Hell, Hades &
Sheol,” can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at
www.lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project.
Sermon Podcast
Charles Spurgeon: “Diligence vs. Sloth” (read by W. J. Mencarow)
Find a link to this at gospelproject.com/additionalresources
Tip of the Week
Slothful Teaching?
Having an erroneous view of the Holy Spirit’s vital role in the teaching
process can lead to two slothful perspectives on the vital role of the teacher:
• Human teachers are unnecessary. This is a misunderstanding of
1 John 2:26-27. Rather, human teachers who rely on the Holy Spirit and
carefully teach the truth of Scripture are very necessary to combat the
influence of false teachers.
• The Spirit works best when we wing it. Misunderstanding Matthew 10:19-20
should not encourage a lack of preparation, but teachers should be faithful
workers who study to show themselves approved unto God (1 Tim. 2:15). 19
Leader Guide | Winter 2014-15
About the Writers
Unit 1
Jared C. Wilson is pastor of Middletown Springs
The Gospel Project®
Adult Leader Guide HCSB
Volume 3, Number 2 Winter 2014-15
Eric Geiger
Vice President, Church Resources
Community Church and the author of several books,
including The Storytelling God, Gospel Wakefulness, and
Otherworld. He and his wife, Becky, reside in Vermont with
their two children.
Ed Stetzer
General Editor
Trevin Wax
Managing Editor
Daniel Davis
Content Editor
Josh Hayes
Content and Production Editor
Unit 2
Ed Stetzer is the president of LifeWay Research and lead
pastor of Grace Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a church
he planted in 2011. He serves as the general editor for The
Gospel Project and is the author of numerous books, including
Transformational Groups, Subversive Kingdom, and Compelled.
Philip Nation
Director, Adult Ministry Publishing
Faith Whatley
Director, Adult Ministry
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Unit 3
Eric Mason is the founder and lead pastor of Epiphany
Fellowship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he resides with
his wife, Yvette, and three sons. He also serves as the president
of Thriving, a ministry that trains and develops leaders in the
urban context. He is the author of Manhood Restored.
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