Work as Christian Duty

International Sunday School Lesson May 10, 2026

Genesis 2:15 (ESV)
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Exodus 20:9 (ESV)
9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,

John 5:17 (ESV)
17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

John 9:4 (ESV)

⁴ We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

Acts 20:33–35 (ESV)

³³ I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. ³⁵ In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

2 Thessalonians 3:6–12 (ESV)

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.