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Complete the At-Home Lab and the Homework near the end of this page. Your answers save as you type on this device, so use the same phone or computer each time you come back.
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Bring your answers to Lecture 2 for discussion during circle time. Open them on your phone, print them, or bring your journal.
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The Theology of ProductivityCourse Syllabus
Institute of Applied Ministry · Course Syllabus
The Theology of Productivity
by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
Six Wednesdays · September 23 – October 28, 2026 · 7:30–9:30 PM
Syllabus · Course goals
Over six weeks, we build a biblical theology of work, then turn it into a system you can live by.
Establish a biblical definition of work
Provide an eternal perspective on current responsibilities
Develop a system of personal productivity for eternal accountability
Syllabus · How each week works
1LectureTeaching in class, with Scripture and discussion
2At-home lab25–30 minutes on your own in the online handout. Name first.
3HomeworkReading, reflection, and practice during the week
4Circle timeBring your lab and homework to the next class and share
Syllabus · Schedule · Wednesdays, 7:30–9:30 PM
Sep 23Lecture 1Salvation, Loss, and Reward
Sep 30Lecture 2Assets and Liabilities
Oct 7Lecture 3From Time Poverty to Priority
Oct 14Lecture 4Margin for the Mandate
Oct 21Lecture 5Systems for Success
Oct 28Lecture 6Self-Care, Sabbath, and Scripture
Syllabus · Capstone
Your Personal Productivity System
L1Fire Test
L2Stewardship Inventory & Time Audit
L3Big Rocks & Season Statement
L4Margin-built calendar
L5Personal operating system
L6Sabbath & renewal plan
Each lab builds one piece. Submit your completed system after the final class on Wednesday, October 28.
Syllabus · Expectations
What we ask
Attend every lecture
Complete each lab and homework before the next class
Put your full name on everything
Share honestly, and keep what is shared in the circle
What to bring
A Bible
A journal or notebook
A phone, tablet, or computer (optional)
Participation tracked
Teaching assistants track your participation and the completion of each lab and homework. Faithfulness is the standard: show up, do the work, and bring it to the circle.
Syllabus · Your online handouts
Every lab, every homework, and the full syllabus live here:
productivitylecture.distinctioni.tech
Type your name first. Your answers save as you type. Tap Save my answers and bring them to circle time.
Technical trouble? Use your journal. It counts just the same.
The Theology of ProductivityLecture 1 of 6
L1
Lecture 1 · Salvation, Loss, and Reward
Fireproof your work.
One day every believer will give an account.
by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
— 1 Corinthians 3:13
1 / Responsibility
There is no escaping it: the Christian life is filled with responsibility.
Pause
Does the weight of your calling ever overwhelm you?
Many Christians wrestle with the idea of "work/life balance." What does balance even mean for someone God has called?
Our goals for this series
Establish a biblical definition of work
Provide an eternal perspective on current responsibilities
Develop a system of personal productivity for eternal accountability
2 / Ordo Salutis · the order of salvation
Salvation is both an instantaneous event and a progressive process.
Three tenses of salvation
Justification
We don't work to be saved.
past · the event
Sanctification
We work because we are saved.
present · the process
Glorification
We will account for our work in eternity.
future · the Day
Philippians 2:10–16 (NKJV)
Justification
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Sanctification
12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Glorification
14Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
The Day of Christ
One day we will have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:6–11 (NKJV)
6So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
9Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
bēma
noun · Greek · "the judgment seat"
A raised platform used in two settings in the Greco-Roman world.
The courtroom: where a magistrate heard cases and pronounced verdicts (Acts 18:12; 25:6).
The games: where presiding judges honored the victors after the competition. Think of the Olympic awards ceremony.
Every New Testament use of the word is judicial. Paul's pictures of reward come from the games (1 Cor 9:24–27).
3 / The verdict on our work
On that day, believers will either suffer loss or receive reward.
…but he himself will be saved. (v. 15)
1 Corinthians 3:10–15 (NKJV)
10According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
14If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Straw quick · cheap · showy
Hay bulky · temporary
Wood solid-looking · flammable
Precious stones rare · formed under pressure
Silver refined
Gold costly · enduring
JESUS CHRIST · THE FOUNDATION
The fire test
The fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
The Day declares it.
What remains is rewarded.
I want to help you fireproof your work!
That is the goal of this series: theology you can build a life on, and a system to build it with.
At-home lab · The Fire Test
A · Ordo salutis sortSort six statements under Justification, Sanctification, or Glorification, then check your answers. about 8 min
B · The fire testList ten things you spent significant time on this past month, from the everyday to ministry (for example: scrolling social media, commuting to work, serving on the hospitality team). Test each: Foundation (Christ or my ambition?), Motive (for whom?), Material (will it matter in eternity?). Mark G, S, or ?. about 15 min
C · DecideCircle one straw item you will reduce and one gold item you will protect. Write why. about 5 min
Complete on your own
This week, at home
Open the student handout, type your name, and complete the lab. Tap Save my answers and bring them to circle time.
No device? Use a journal.
Complete this lab on your own this week.
Please type your full name so your answers are labeled with your name.
Part A · Ordo salutis sort
Statement
Your answer
Also this week · bring to Lecture 2
Read Matthew 25:14–30. Write answers: what was entrusted, on what basis, what the master looked for, why the third servant buried his talent, what the faithful received.
Letter from the Day of Christ. One page to yourself, dated the day you stand before Him. What do you hope He says? What might burn?
Memorize 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Please type your full name so your answers are labeled with your name.
2 Corinthians 5:9 (NKJV)
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
See you at Lecture 2 · Assets and Liabilities
Ready for circle time?
Bring your answers to Lecture 2 for circle time. If saving doesn't work, tap "Copy my answers" and paste them into your phone's notes app, or write your answers in a journal and bring it with you.