Undergraduate
At Cornerstone University, you’ll get the full college experience with a Christ-centered worldview. Learn more about the undergraduate experience below.
At Cornerstone University, you’ll get the full college experience with a Christ-centered worldview. Learn more about the undergraduate experience below.
Persevere in what you know you’re capable of. Our programs for adults provide a creative approach to learning anchored in Christ-centered virtues as you follow your unwavering purpose.
Go further as an influencer in your work and community. Our graduate programs prepare you to open new doors as you reach your God-given potential.
At Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, we're dedicated to learning, serving and leading through rigorous scholarship and a humble approach to Scripture.
Many followers of Jesus struggle to see their work in this way—as a place of worship and mission for the kingdom of God. It’s time to change that. It’s time to rethink what you do every day and why it matters … for the kingdom.
Everyday Works is a four-part curriculum that seeks to help Christians rethink the meaning and purpose of their everyday work in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. It is the culmination of a two-year project by Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. We brought leading teachers and authors together to explore how “secular” work really is a means of worship, discipleship and mission.
The Everyday Works Curriculum is designed with small groups in mind and features inspiring intro videos, full-length presentations, video clips for group discussion, a study guide and a pile of “extras” to take your learning deeper. Through generous donor support, the entire curriculum is available here at no cost.
Here is how the study works. The material is broken down into four parts. Each part has five short videos with 1-2 discussion questions. The study guide provides additional discussion questions, summarizes key ideas from the presentations and provides space for taking notes.
In the guide, a visual layout shows how the pieces and topics of the Everyday Works curriculum fit together. Each lightbulb represents a video clip in the study that you can watch individually or with a group. Make your way through each clip at your own pace, and use the layout to track your progress.
This Everyday Works curriculum project would not have been possible without the contributions of numerous friends and partners. We offer a special thank you to the Kern Family Foundation for their generous partnership on this project.
In this video, George Moss expresses a tension many people feel between their faith and their everyday work. This intro video sets up the theme “Work is Good,” which you will explore in video clips 1-4.
Reflect and Discuss
In Genesis, we read that God created the world, and it was good in His eyes. Did this change when Adam and Eve sinned and work became toil? The Apostle John wrote that “God so loved the world” that He sent His Son to save it, but He also said that we must “not love the world” (John 3:16; 1 John 2:15). This can be confusing. The word “worldly” has negative connotations, but we all know the joy of early pleasures like good food and a job well done.
Heavenly purpose and earthly pleasure go together. This is critical for seeing earthly things like work the way God sees them. God actually wants us to enjoy His good creation and to understand that even work is a gift from Him. He wants us to use His gifts for His glory and for the common good of everyone around us.
What is your “everyday work,” including the paid and unpaid tasks you do day-in and day-out? Identify the two things that consume most of your time. Would you say you enjoy these things, or are they more of a necessity?
In this video clip, Mike Wittmer walks through the story of Scripture, showing that creation is good and that God wants His people to enjoy the gifts He provides. The Bible, like any other book, has a plot, and we need to understand each part of the story in light of the whole thing.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Mike Wittmer shows that humans are created for a physical earth. This is our home, and God wants us to flourish here. But He doesn’t ask us to do it alone. He is with us, redeeming all things and removing all of the effects of sin and evil.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Mike Wittmer explains that every person in the world has a calling—even several callings. Pastors and missionaries are not the only ones who are called. We are all called to love God more than anything else and to deny ourselves, that is, to set aside our own interests in order to love and serve others.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Mike Wittmer describes two more callings that every person has. God created each of us to rule over the earth on His behalf. One way we do that is through our everyday work. However, God also calls us to rest and to remember that we are not defined by our work. Our identity is found not in what we do but in who we know.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
Enjoy God’s Good World
For more discussion of this material, check out these additional video clips with Dr. Mike Wittmer and other experienced leaders.
Work Is a Calling
For more discussion of this material, check out these additional video clips with Dr. Mike Wittmer and other experienced leaders.
In this video, George Moss describes how our everyday work can be light and salt to the world. This intro video sets up the theme “Live the Kingdom,” which you will explore in video clips 5-8.
Reflect and Discuss
Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16). In other words, when you look at someone’s life, you should be able to see things that indicate whether or not they are followers of Jesus. Their faith should be reflected in their actions. What are those things? What sets a Christian apart from the rest of the world? Depending on background and culture, many people will answer those questions differently.
Either way, following Jesus will lead us to live in a uniquely “kingdom” sort of way. We will allow the kingdom of God to change us so that the world gets a taste of God’s love, justice and righteousness.
Describe a time when you saw someone’s behavior and, without the person saying anything about Jesus, you could tell he or she is probably His follower? What characteristics or behaviors tipped you off? What made the individual stand out?
In this video clip, Amy Sherman explores the biblical vision of the “righteous” in Scripture. These people see everything they have, not as something they’ve earned for their own benefit, but rather as a gift from God to be stewarded for the common good. They willingly disadvantage themselves to help others flourish—especially the most vulnerable.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Amy Sherman describes how becoming “righteous” is a process of spiritual transformation that plays out in three dimensions: upward toward God, inward in our own hearts and outward with others. If we want to take part in God’s mission through our everyday work, we need to start by becoming certain kinds of people.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Amy Sherman describes “vocational power” and “vocational stewardship.” These concepts will empower any willing person to love God and serve their neighbor through their everyday work. Everyone has certain skills, knowledge, experience and spheres of influence. We just need to identify ours and deploy them for the kingdom.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
Take an inventory of your vocational power. What gifts has God given you to steward for His kingdom? These may be traditional spiritual gifts, but they are also any other asset you have. Brainstorm anything that comes to mind in the seven dimensions of vocational power.
Begin to think creatively and prayerfully about how God might want you to deploy these things intentionally and strategically. Share with your group whatever comes to mind even if you’re not sure yet what to do with it. Video clip 8 will help you brainstorm further.
In this video clip, Amy Sherman describes several ways you can leverage your vocational power to serve others. You don’t need to change jobs. You can advance the kingdom right where you are, donate your skills, mentor others, launch new initiatives, etc. With real-world stories, Amy illustrates how to offer your everyday work for real kingdom impact.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
Are You a Tsaddiq?
For more discussion of this material, check out these additional video clips with Amy Sherman and other experienced leaders.
How Do You Live the Kingdom?
For more discussions of this material, check out these additional video clips with Amy Sherman and other experienced leaders.
In this video, George Moss introduces a concept that is critical for understanding how everyday work serves people and communities in practical ways. This intro video sets up the theme “Flourish for Others,” which you will explore in video clips 9-12.
Reflect and Discuss
We cannot understand the significance of our everyday work, or the opportunity it provides to promote human flourishing, if we don’t see how our work connects with everyone else’s work. In other words, your everyday work is part of something much bigger, the “economy,” and the clearer this becomes th easier it will be to see how God wants to use you to serve people—you may already be serving people you never meet.
In Part 3, Flourish for Others, you will explore what “economy” and “economic activity” really are, using business and businesspeople as examples of how everyday work serves people in life-changing ways. You’ll get behind the numbers and policies of economics to the rub of authentic human behaviors and relationships. And you’ll be able to evaluate how this relates to living out your Christian faith in the world of your everyday work.
What did your parents do for a living when you were a child, and what impact did your parents’ employers have on you and your family? Share one example of this impact, either positive or negative.
In this video clip, Rudy Carrasco explains how “economy” and “economics” are more about relationship and ministry then we often think. Economics is about human behavior and the ways we engage with each other. Rudy provides stories of thoughtful business people to illustrate how our everyday work really can help people and cities flourish.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Rudy Carrasco provides an overview of biblical teaching about economics and God’s intent for human flourishing. God’s people are called to model His righteousness in how we live and work together, including in our everyday work. Jesus demonstrated this as a balance between personal responsibility and concern for people in poverty.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Rudy Carrasco provides an example of how economies breakdown and people don’t flourish. When people don’t have the freedom to make decisions, their everyday work is stifled, producing systemic waste and inefficiency. This is true at all levels: government, companies, churches and nonprofit ministries.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Rudy Carrasco provides another example of how economies breakdown, this time due to racism and oppression. Everyone is hurt when people or groups of people are cut off from each other. Rudy discusses the life and work of John Perkins, a leader in racial reconciliation and Christian community development.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
How Do We Flourish?
For more discussions of this material, check out these additional video clips with Rudy Carrasco and other experienced leaders.
What Keeps Us From Flourishing
For more discussions of this material, check out these additional video clips with Rudy Carrasco and other experienced leaders.
In this video, George Moss wrestles with the calling of all Christians to care for people in poverty in a way that honors their dignity as the image of God. No matter what our everyday work is, we all have a potential role to play. This intro video sets up the theme “Expand the Circle,” which you will explore in video clips 13-16.
Reflect and Discuss
The way we think about and treat people in poverty is critical. The Proverbs make this clear: “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker” (Proverbs 14:31), and “[w]hoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker” (Proverbs 17:5). Active oppression and passive mockery—both of them tell us more about our hearts toward God than anything else.
In Part 4, Artie Lindsay speaks to how we can “expand the circle” at a local level, beginning with our attitude toward poverty. He opens with a biblical foundation for thinking about poverty, evaluates two common views of poverty and considers its causes. He then explores ways we can expand the circle that affirm the dignity of the people we serve.
Identifying with the poor in our communities is not optional or temporary. It is the ongoing calling of the Church. Although this is not a simple step-by-step process, Artie shares the core views and attitudes that will help this take place.
What kind of efforts have you participated in to address poverty at a local level? Describe one experience that was especially impactful in your life.
In this video clip, Artie Lindsay provides a biblical foundation for thinking about poverty. He evaluates two views that are common but insufficient. The way we view poverty and its causes matters because it shapes how we view potential solutions. We must ask hard questions of ourselves and analyze what values drive our response to poverty.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
At the end of this clip, Pastor Artie invites us to do a simple exercise to discern our attitude toward poverty and people who are poor. Prayerfully complete this exercise and discuss it with your group:
In this video clip, Artie Lindsay shows that poverty is a relational and spiritual issue—not just a material one. We are all experiencing poverty in some form, and this shared experience provides connection and solidarity. In some ways, we are all the same, so we really can foster relationships of mutual trust and partnership. Pastor Artie offers advice for how to navigate the challenges these relationships always face.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Peter Greer explains how every generation tends to believe that we (people in the West) have the education, skills and intelligence to fix other people’s problems. We don’t, and we end up making our efforts to solve poverty about us rather than about the people we serve or about Jesus Christ Himself.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
In this video clip, Peter Greer proposes an alternative response to international poverty. Humanitarian aid is needed in crises, but if we want to address the root causes of poverty and bring long-term change, we need to focus on employment. This is where lay people can offer skills and expertise from their everyday work to empower others.
Reflect and Discuss
After you watch the video clip, reflect on and discuss the following questions with your group.
Expand the Circle Locally
For more discussions of this material, check out these additional video clips with Artie Lindsay and other experienced leaders.
Expand the Circle Globally
Dr. Amy L. Sherman is a senior fellow at the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, where she directs the Center on Faith in Communities. In 2012, she was named by Christianity Today as one of the 50 most influential Evangelical women in America. She is the author of six books and over 80 articles in a variety of Christian and secular periodicals.
Amy’s most recent book, “Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good,” seeks to help marketplace Christians live missionally, advancing foretastes of the kingdom of God through the strategic deployment of their vocational power.
Amy is a long-time member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Va. Her undergraduate degree is from Messiah College (1987) and her M.A. and Ph.D. are from the University of Virginia (1991, 1994).
Hear From This Speaker
Amy, a featured speaker, led four sessions for Part 2.
Pastor Artie Lindsay serves as teaching pastor at Tabernacle Community Church, a multiethnic congregation in Grand Rapids, Mich. Artie was one of the lead architects in establishing the church. He earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan before following God’s call into pastoral ministry. He moved from his hometown of Detroit to Grand Rapids, in the fall of 1995 to complete an M.T.S. at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
Prior to establishing Tabernacle Community Church, Artie served as the associate pastor at Messiah Baptist Church in Grand Rapids from 1997-2002 under the leadership of Dr. Clifton Rhodes, Jr. Artie has a burden and passion for community revitalization, and he continues to work extensively in the community to address the very real physical, emotional and spiritual needs of community members.
Artie is married to Raquel, and they have three children, AJ, Victoria and Alysa.
Hear From This Speaker
Artie, a featured speaker, led two of the four sessions for Part 4.
Darrell Yoder has been serving in pastoral ministry since 2009 and is currently a program director and adjunct professor at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He earned a B.A. from Liberty University and a M.Div. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
At GRTS, Darrell gives leadership to the Talking Points program, which provides resources and events for pastors, ministry leaders and counselors. He also leads two scholarship programs for Master of Divinity students, the Pirsig Fellowship and the Kern Scholars Program, where he provides spiritual retreats and oversees small groups that seek to cultivate students’ personal spiritual formation.
Outside of GRTS, Darrell serves as a lay pastor at his home church and as the director of the Evangelical Seminary Deans’ Council, a professional development network of evangelical seminary deans.
Darrell and his wife live with their three children in Rockford, Mich.
Hear From This Moderator
Darrell served as the panel moderator for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.
George Moss is a hip hop musician, speaker and entrepreneur. He has released two studio albums with Dreamlight Entertainment, “All or Nothing” (2008) and “It’s Time” (2012). Through his music, George boldly declares, “I wasn’t called to make fans. I was called to make disciples.”
Out of this commitment to his faith, George launched OXEN Apparel and OXEN Team Ministries, a discipleship program for students and leaders to discover what it means to be branded, trained and yoked to Jesus Christ.
George provided his talent and experience to the Everyday Works intro videos, and his life is an example of stewarding your everyday work for the kingdom of God.
Hear From This Narrator
Dr. Luke Bobo serves as director of resource and curriculum development for the Made To Flourish Pastors’ Network (Oakland Park, Kan.), providing leadership to create and curate resources and curriculum for pastors in that network.
Luke has a rich blend of experience. He worked for 15 years in the marketplace as an engineer before pursuing an M.Div. and Ph.D., serving as the executive director of the Francis Schaeffer Institute at Covenant Seminary. Luke has also spent time as professor of religious studies at Lindenwood University, adjunct professor of religious studies at the University of Kansas and of culture and apologetics at Covenant Seminary.
Luke has written curriculum for a workplace ministry and is the author of several books, including “Living Salty and Light Filled Lives in the Workplace” and “A Layperson’s Guide to Biblical Interpretation: A Means to Know the Personal God.”
Hear From This Panelist
Luke, a panelist, appeared in the panel discussions for Part 4.
Pastor Matt Zainea is the lead pastor at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church in Rockford, Mich., where he has served since 1997. Before entering pastoral ministry, Matt worked in the banking industry for over a decade. He earned a B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University, an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.T.S. in Historical Theology from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
Matt and his wife, Lesley, have six children. Matt enjoys reading, gardening and basketball.
Hear From This Panelist
Matt, a panelist, appeared in the panel discussions for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
Dr. Michael Wittmer serves as professor of systematic and historical theology (1996 to present) and director of the Center for Christian Worldview at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (2003 to present). He earned a B.A. at Cedarville University, an M.Div. and Th.M. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Calvin Theological Seminary.
In addition to teaching, Mike preaches regularly as pulpit supply and is an avid writer, blogging at mikewittmer.wordpress.com. He has written several theological books for the Church, including “Becoming Worldly Saints,” “Despite Doubt,” “The Last Enemy,” “Don’t Stop Believing,” and “Heaven is a Place on Earth.”
He lives in Rockford, Mich., with his wife Julie and their three children.
Hear From This Speaker
Mike, a featured speaker, led four sessions for Part 1.
Peter Greer is the president and CEO of HOPE International. He joined HOPE in 2004 following experience serving in microfinance organizations in multiple places around the world. Greer served as managing director for Urwego, a Christ-centered microfinance institution in Kigali, Rwanda, and as a technical adviser for Self Help Development Foundation in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He also has experience working as a microfinance adviser in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Greer is the co-author of several books, including “Created To Flourish,” “The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good,” “Mission Drift,” “Entrepreneurship for Human Flourishing” and “Watching Seeds Grow” (co-authored with his son, Keith).
He holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School and an honorary doctorate from Erskine College.
Peter and his wife, Laurel, live in Lancaster, Pa., with their three children.
Hear From This Speaker
Peter, a featured speaker, led two of the four sessions for Part 4.
Rachel Hammond serves as assistant professor of business at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich. She graduated with a B.A. in Communication Arts from Cornerstone University in 1999, and in 2002, she earned her Master of Management from Aquinas College while working in the banking industry as a corporate trainer and HRD manager.
Rachel teaches Principles of Management, Business Communications, Project Management and other management-related courses. She also serves as a co-faculty adviser for Cornerstone’s Enactus team.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, serving at her church, reading and joining the occasional urban adventure race. She is one of the editors for Mom Colored Glasses, a website for moms that provides both information and inspiration on a variety of mom-focused topics.
Hear From This Panelist
Rachel, a panelist, appeared in the panel discussions for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.
Rudy Carrasco is the U.S. regional facilitator for Partners Worldwide, an organization in Grand Rapids, Mich., which uses business, enterprise and entrepreneurship to create flourishing economic environments in all parts of the world. He is also a writer, minister and advocate for Christian Community Development.
Since graduating from Stanford University with a B.A. in English, Rudy has focused on indigenous leadership development. A writer by training, his articles have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Christianity Today, Religion News Service and other publications, and he lectures regularly for the Acton Institute (Grand Rapids, Mich.).
In 2001, he joined a group of nine Hispanic religious leaders who advised President George W. Bush on faith-based initiatives. He serves on the board of directors of World Vision US and TechMission and on the advisory board of the Christian Community Development Association.
He lives with his family in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Hear From This Speaker
Rudy, a featured speaker, led four sessions for Part 3.
At Cornerstone University, you’ll get the full college experience with a Christ-centered worldview. Learn more about the undergraduate experience below.
Persevere in what you know you’re capable of. Our programs for adults provide a creative approach to learning anchored in Christ-centered virtues as you follow your unwavering purpose.
Go further as an influencer in your work and community. Our graduate programs prepare you to open new doors as you reach your God-given potential.
At Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, we’re dedicated to learning, serving and leading through rigorous scholarship and a humble approach to Scripture.