Biblical Principles for Time Management

Introduction:

• Begin with a prayer for guidance and understanding.

• Share your reasons for wanting to study time management from a biblical perspective.

• Emphasize the importance of using time wisely to serve God and others.

Scripture:

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

• Read and discuss this well-known passage about the seasons of life.

• How does it relate to time management?

   

Bible Study Questions:

1. Prioritizing God's Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)

   • What does it mean to "seek first the kingdom of God" in the context of time management?

   • How can we ensure that God's priorities come first in our schedules?

2. Redeeming the Time (Ephesians 5:15-16)

   • What does it mean to "redeem the time" or make the most of every opportunity?

   • How can we avoid wasting time on unproductive or harmful activities?

3. Balancing Work and Rest (Exodus 20:8-11)

   • How does the concept of the Sabbath relate to time management?

   • Discuss the importance of setting aside time for rest and worship.

4. Planning and Goal Setting (Proverbs 16:3)

   • How can we commit our plans to the Lord in our daily lives?

   • Share practical tips for setting goals and managing time effectively.

5. Overcoming Busyness (Luke 10:38-42)

   • Explore the story of Mary and Martha. What can we learn about busyness and priorities?

   • How can we strike a balance between serving and spending time with God?

6. Stewardship of Time (1 Corinthians 4:2)

   • Discuss the concept of stewardship in managing our time. How are we held accountable?

   • Share examples of using time wisely for God's purposes.

    

Application:

• Encourage participants to reflect on their current time management practices.

• Ask them to set specific goals for improving time management in line with biblical principles.

Prayer:

• Close with a prayer, asking for God's guidance and strength to manage time wisely and serve Him effectively.

Conclusion:

• Emphasize the importance of ongoing self-reflection and prayer in time management.

• Encourage participants to support one another in their journey to apply these biblical principles.

   

Remember that effective time management is a tool to help you live a more purposeful and God-honoring life. This Bible study can help you and others in your group explore this concept from a biblical perspective.

Scriptures to memorize:

These verses were the memorization verses of Life Management Study. If you're interested in diving deep and applying Biblically based time management into your life this is an incredible tool to utilize for your life.  If you're in the Asheville, NC area; contact Pastor Masco Settles at mascosettles@mountaintopchurch.org.

1. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:16‬ ‭NIV
   Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
2. ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV
   For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
3. ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV
   Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
4. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90:12‬ ‭NIV
   Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
5. ‭‭John‬ ‭14:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬
   Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
6. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37‭-‬38‬ ‭NIV‬
   Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
7. ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‭-‬6‬ ‭NIV‬
   Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
8. ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV
   Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9. ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:23‭-‬24‬ ‭NIV‬‬
   Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
10. Romans‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭NIV‬
    So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
11. ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭NIV‬
    As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
12. ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭NIV
    I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
13. ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:5‬ ‭NIV‬
    The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.