Religious Education (2044): Service in Society

Religious Education (2044): Service in Society 🌍

Living in a Changing World 🌎

Work in a Changing Society 💼

What is Work? 🤔

Work is any physical or mental effort directed towards achieving or producing something. 💪

Examples include cleaning 🧹, eating 🍽️, pushing a car pedal 🚗, or studying 📚.

The Value of Work 💡

Work is essential in society: it affects education 🎓, employment 💼, and daily life 🏠.
Society thrives: because of the collective effort of many workers, and we depend on each other’s work 🤝.
Work's influence: Past work influences the present, and work today impacts the future ⏳.

Work is Interdependent 🔗

Interdependence means most items today are produced through the combined efforts of many people 🤝.

Example: The production of shoes 👟, desks 🪑, and shirts 👕 requires collaboration.

Problems from Salaried Employment and Industrialization ⚠️

Boredom: Repetitive work leads to disinterest 😴.
Indifference: Some develop a "don’t care" attitude toward their work 😒.
Unemployment: Lack of jobs 🚫.
Corruption: Abuse of power for personal gain 💰.
Exploitation: Workers may work hard for low wages 💸.
Poor Working Conditions: Long hours with little time for family 🕒.
Job Insecurity: Fear of losing a job 😟.
Dependence Syndrome: Relying on others for work or income 🏦.

Types of Work Hindus in Zambia Do to Develop the Country 🇿🇲

Farming 🌾
Teaching 👩‍🏫
Craftsmanship 🛠️
Business 💼
Government work 🏛️

Islamic Teachings About Work 📖

A master should not give work beyond the servant's capacity and must assist if the work is too difficult 🤲.
Workers should be paid promptly after finishing their work 💵.
Servants should receive food 🍽️ and clothing 👗 similar to their masters.
A master should forgive a servant 70 times a day 🙏.
Rewarding workers who serve sincerely is encouraged in Islam 🌟.

Work in African Traditional Society 🌍

Work was divided by age, sex, and rank 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦.
Most work was done communally 🤝.
Work fulfilled basic needs like food 🍲, shelter 🏠, and protection 🛡️.
Everyone was a worker, and generally, women worked harder than men 👩‍🌾.

Comparison Between Traditional and Modern Society Work ⚖️

Traditional Society:

Work was communal and based on survival needs 🌱.
Everyone worked, and women often worked more than men 👩‍🌾.

Modern Society:

Work is not divided by age, sex, or rank 🚻.
Work is more individual and often unrelated to basic needs 🏠.
Men generally work harder than women today 💪.

Church History ⛪

Monasteries 🏰

Monasteries were places where Christian men (monks) dedicated their lives to prayer and work 🙏. They were self-sufficient and engaged in manual labor 🛠️.

Benefits of Monasteries to Society 🌟

Monasteries taught farming techniques 🌾.
Offered education 📚.
Cared for the sick and elderly 🏥.
Provided hospitality to travelers 🛌.

How Monasteries Lost the Balance Between Work and Prayer ⚖️

Monks became wealthy from gifts and produced more than needed. Eventually, prayer and church services took priority over manual labor, and they employed others to do the work 🏗️.

Craft Guilds 🛠️

Craft guilds were the forerunners of modern trade unions, originating in the Middle Ages. Workers organized by skill, such as carpentry or bricklaying, similar to today’s professional unions 🏗️.

Contributions of Craft Guilds 🤝

Protected worker interests 🛡️.
Ensured high-quality workmanship 🏆.
Disciplined members and provided training 📖.
Made contributions to churches ⛪.

Lord Shaftesbury’s Contributions during the Industrial Age 🏭

Lord Shaftesbury influenced the passing of laws to limit working hours and improve working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. He also started schools for poor workers' children and improved housing conditions for the poor 🏠.

Poor Working Conditions During the Industrial Revolution ⚠️

Long hours ⏳
Low wages 💸
Poor ventilation 🌬️
Child labor 👶
Lack of health and housing benefits 🏥🏠

How the Church is Addressing Unemployment 🏢

The church has established trade schools and agricultural projects to help people gain skills for self-employment 🌱.

Example: Trade schools like Chavuma in Monze equip students with skills like carpentry, bricklaying, and mechanics 🔧.

Church Teachings About Work 📖

Work is both a duty and a right ⚖️.
Work should be honest, dignified, and done diligently 💪.
Oppression through work is wrong, and good working conditions should be present 🚫.

The Bible: Old Testament 📜

The Sabbath and Worker Protection (Exodus 20:8-11) 🕊️

The Sabbath was instituted to protect workers by giving them a day of rest. Workers should rest on the seventh day, as God rested after creating the world 🌍.

How Some Workers Might Not Observe the Sabbath ⏰

Essential workers like doctors 👨‍⚕️, police officers 👮‍♂️, drivers 🚗, and cooks 🍳 may need to work on the Sabbath due to emergencies or job requirements.

The Bible: New Testament 📜

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) 💰

In this parable, a landowner entrusted his servants with different amounts of money (talents). The first two servants invested their talents and doubled their amounts, while the third hid his talent. The parable teaches that we should use our talents productively, or we risk losing them 📉.

Work to Serve Others (Matthew 25:31-46) 🤲

In the Last Judgment, people will be judged based on how they served others, such as feeding the hungry 🍽️ and caring for the sick 🏥. Service to others is essential in bringing God’s kingdom to earth 🌍.

Jesus the Diligent Worker (Mark 6:30-34) 🙏

Although Jesus sought rest, he prioritized helping others when necessary, showing the importance of serving people even when tired 😴.

Conclusion 📝

In summary, work plays a crucial role in shaping society and individuals. It provides means for self-sufficiency, community building, and personal development. Understanding the religious, historical, and cultural contexts of work enhances our appreciation of its significance in our lives today 🌟.

Reflection Questions ❓

How does your faith influence your approach to work? 🙏
In what ways can you contribute to your community through your work? 🌍
What challenges do you face in your work environment, and how can they be addressed? ⚠️
How can the teachings of your faith guide you in creating a balance between work and personal life? ⚖️

Community Engagement Opportunities 🤝

Consider getting involved in your local community by volunteering or participating in initiatives that align with your skills and interests. Some opportunities include:

Joining a local charity or nonprofit organization ❤️.
Participating in community clean-up events 🧹.
Mentoring youth or offering skill-building workshops 👩‍🏫.
Supporting local businesses and artisans 🛍️.