There are many ways that we can teach children and adults in today’s object lesson is geared toward teens and adults. I hope this lesson can be of use to youth ministries, family counselors, families, family devotionals, and family home evenings.
Many times we as Christians can separate business from our religious lives. And it is often a very sad thing when many of us might be very active in the gospel on Sundays, but not so much during the week. I have some examples of business people that are very religious. That might be known to treating their customers unfairly. And then there are some other examples of people that merge the values of Christianity with their business ethics. So, if we were to want to teach the principles of Christ’s gospel to our brethren and sisters, how might we do it?
One interesting way might be to compare the gospel to a business plan. You would have your Sunday school class comprised of adults or perhaps teens who are familiar with the principles of business. You presented the class a blank outline of a business plan and then to discussion and Scripture, you fill out the business plan outline by using Christian principles. Now, the following may not be in your particular discussion, but it is one that I might use.
Business Plan Outline
A Comprehensive Business Plan Outline for Small Business compliments of Alyssa Gregory,
http://sbinformation.about.com/od/businessplans/a/How-To-Write-A-Business-Plan.htm
The usefulness of a business plan is to determine the why behind your business. In this example we will discuss spiritual principles versus the making of widgets. Of course this is just the beginning and skeleton ideas of such a business plan. Weeks, months and years could be devoted to this theme when expanded in full detail.
Mission statement:
God’s work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Now we can’t speak on behalf of God. So we might want to fill out the business plan as he of his employees. This could be a discussion of our interpretation of God the father’s plan and the executive officer of Jesus Christ as he executes the mission of the company through his teachings, his life, and his sacrifice at the garden of Gethsemane, as well as on the cross. The company itself might be the gospel of Jesus Christ or be ourselves living at Christianity.
Executive Summary
The executive summary is the first section of your small business plan that is typically written last. It provides an overview of all of the other sections in the business plan.
Company Description
The company description give specific details about your company such as the location, size, and what you do hope to accomplish. So, in this imaginary scenario, I might put: our goal is to live our lives as closely to Christ’s example as humanly possible. When we fail in our attempts, we participate in repentance, forgiveness, and a rededication to living righteously. We want to conduct the business of the company in our homes, our jobs, and every hour of our lives. We want to raise our children to have faith in God and to follow in Christ’s footsteps. At the conclusion of each of our lives is our intent to be reunited with God the father and his son Jesus Christ in fellowship in their presence.
Products or Services
This is where you would describe what you have to offer and why customers want. In this case the product is having happy lives in Christ. Through Christ we gain happiness and closes with our families, friends and associates. We work together in a shared goal so that we can all succeed. Some of the specific services might include daily prayer, Scripture study, being charitable and generous one another, and other principles of the gospel that you can add to the list.
Market Analysis
Market analysis is where you determine who your target audience is. In this case is the children of the world the children of God. That might mean some missionary work to some areas of the world or perhaps even missionary work with our homes. It means living our lives in such an example that others may want to what makes us so happy.
Marketing Strategy
Marketing strategy talks about how your business works with other businesses. It includes how much you may sell your products. How you will promote and share your services. To me this would be how I can live a better life by not just having the label Christian, but to actually live a life that Christ to be pleased with. It would mean me being a good neighbor for the sake of interest and compassion toward others.
Management Summary
This section might touch upon the organizational structure of the business and how which ran. On a personal basis, this might mean what are the duties of the father and the mother in contributing to the righteousness of the family. How do parents teach their children? This might also include how we contribute to the success and cohesiveness of the congregation. We could then branch out to our neighbors, our communities, the nation and how we conduct ourselves in the world.
Financial Analysis
This touches upon The financial analysis section of your business plan should contain the details for and future financing as the business expands. For me this includes tithing, compassionate service, and acts of generosity. With my numerous shortcomings, it should also involve a self-analysis of why I keep dropping the ball, and finding ways to improve my behavior.
It is obvious that I have missed so much. This topic could be a book of itself. I do hope that it does begin the thought processes of how each of us could analyze our relationship with God and his mission statement. This is just an opportunity to begin the process of your own brainstorming and analysis of God’s mission statement and business plan.
On a personal note, I have to admit, that when I chose this theme, it made me realize that I’m not one of God’s best employees. At my job, my company gives us the opportunity to take some online classes. In one of those classes, I learned that there are Star employee, Average employee and the employee that Needs Improvement. I am finding that many of the lessons I share here in teaching embellishments blog, touch upon areas where I need improvement. So maybe this one like others is a reminder for me to just keep trying.
Please feel free to give any ideas you have on this topic in the comment section of this blog.
