Institute of Applied Ministry · Trimester Syllabus

The Theology of Productivity

by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Six Wednesdays · September 23 – October 28, 2026 · 7:30–9:30 PM

The Christian life is filled with responsibility, and the weight of calling can feel overwhelming. Over six weeks, this course builds a biblical theology of work and then turns it into a personal system you can live by. The aim is simple: work that survives the fire (1 Cor 3:13).

Course goals

How each week works

1 · LectureTeaching in class, with Scripture and discussion.
2 · At-home labAbout 25–30 minutes on your own, in that week's online handout. Type your name first.
3 · HomeworkReading, reflection, and practice during the week.
4 · Circle timeBring your lab and homework to the next class and share in circle time.

Weekly schedule

All classes meet on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.

Lecture 1 · Wednesday, September 23Phil 2:10–16 · 2 Cor 5:6–11 · 1 Cor 3:10–15

Salvation, Loss, and Reward

Big idea
One day we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Fireproof your work.
This week
Lab: The Fire Test. Homework: Matthew 25:14–30 questions, a Letter from the Day of Christ, and memorize 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Open Lecture 1 handout
Lecture 2 · Wednesday, September 30Ps 24:1 · Gen 2:15 · Col 3:23–24 · Matt 25:14–30

Assets and Liabilities

Bring to circle time
Your Lecture 1 lab and homework.
Big idea
God wants a return on His investment in you. Will you be an asset or a liability?
This week
Lab: What Is Your Talent Worth? Homework: Stewardship Inventory and a 7-day Time Audit. Start the audit right away; Lecture 3 depends on it.
Handout coming soon
Lecture 3 · Wednesday, October 7Eph 5:15–17 · Gen 1:1–2:3 · Matt 6:33 · Eccl 3:1

From Time Poverty to Priority

Bring to circle time
Your Lecture 2 lab, stewardship inventory, and completed time audit.
Big idea
Manage chronos so you are available for kairos. Put the big rocks in first.
This week
Lab: Big Rocks First. Homework: schedule your big rocks, a daily "It is good" review, a Kairos journal, and a season statement.
Handout coming soon
Lecture 4 · Wednesday, October 14Prov 21:20 · Lev 19:9–10

Margin for the Mandate

Bring to circle time
Your Lecture 3 lab, calendar, and Kairos journal.
Big idea
Capacity minus commitments equals margin. Protect your edges.
This week
Lab: Find Your Margin. Homework: live your redesigned week, say one no, read Genesis 1 twice with notes, and re-run your margin math.
Handout coming soon
Lecture 5 · Wednesday, October 21Genesis 1 · Gen 1:28

Systems for Success

Bring to circle time
Your Lecture 4 lab, margin math, and Genesis 1 notes.
Big idea
From creation, God is a God of order and systems. Walking in dominion requires getting organized.
This week
Lab: build your personal operating system. Homework given in class.
Handout coming soon
Lecture 6 · Wednesday, October 28Gen 2:2–3 · Exod 20:8–11 · Matt 11:28–30

Self-Care, Sabbath, and Scripture

Bring to circle time
Your Lecture 5 lab and personal operating system.
Big idea
Productivity requires rhythms of rest. Redeem self-care through the lens of Scripture.
This week
Lab: your Sabbath and renewal plan. Then assemble and submit your capstone.
Handout coming soon

Capstone: your Personal Productivity System

Each lab builds one piece. By the end of the course, you will have a complete system. Submit your completed system after the final class on Wednesday, October 28. A folder, a binder, or a file on your device is fine.

  1. Fire Test: what is gold and what is straw in how you spend your time (Lecture 1)
  2. Stewardship Inventory and Time Audit: what God has entrusted to you, and where your hours actually go (Lecture 2)
  3. Big Rocks and Season Statement: your priorities for this season, set through prayer (Lecture 3)
  4. Margin-built calendar: an ideal week with protected margin (Lecture 4)
  5. Personal operating system: the habits, routines, and tools that keep you organized (Lecture 5)
  6. Sabbath and renewal plan: your weekly rhythm of rest (Lecture 6)

Expectations

What we ask of you

  • Attend every lecture.
  • Complete each lab and homework before the next class.
  • Put your full name on everything you bring.
  • Share honestly in circle time, and keep what others share in the circle.

What to bring

  • A Bible (lectures quote the NKJV, NASB, and ESV)
  • A journal or notebook
  • A phone, tablet, or computer if you have one (optional)

There are no grades

This course is about formation, not scores. Faithfulness is the standard: show up, do the work, and bring it to the circle.

Online handouts and technical help

Each lecture has an online handout with that week's lab and homework. Your answers save as you type on your own device. Tap Save my answers to keep a copy with your name on it.

Having technical trouble? Write your answers in your journal instead. Put your name, the date, and the lecture number at the top. That counts just the same.

Recommended reading

Optional, for students who want to go deeper:

"Therefore we make it our aim … to be well pleasing to Him." 2 Corinthians 5:9