Time for God a uniquely Christian approach to time management

Time for God #1 reason people give for not reading the Bible: “Not enough time. Too busy.”

Time for God Less time than in the past? Busier than in the past? Less disciplined than in the past?

Time for God 1. Breakdown of ________. systems Two reasons people need “time management” today: 2. Breakout of _______. choices Choices attack systems. Choices require time.

Time for God 1. Time is ___________. yours to fill Secular assumptions about time management: 2. It doesn’t matter _____________________ but ___________________________. what choices you make how you manage your choices

Time for God 1. Our time belongs _______. to God My times are in your hands. (Psalm 31:15, NIV) Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3, NIV) Christian assumptions about time management:

Time for God 2. It does matter ______________. what we choose Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…. (Deuteronomy 30:19, NIV) Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. (Joshua 24:15, NIV) “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42, NIV) Christian assumptions about time management:

Time for God Christian assumptions about time management: 2. It does matter what we choose. Our choices reflect what we believe. We spend time on what we consider important.

Time for God Typical (secular) planner: Devotions Board meeting Lunch with team Dr. appt. Council mtg. groceries Call Jim

Time for God Bible League Connection Planners: Each day becomes a ____________ between you and God. conversation God talks to you You talk to God Your activities fit into the context of that relationship

Time for God Conversation signifies ____________. All relationships are developed through: __________ relationship Talking Listening Repeatedly

Time for God A relationship with God is no different. Talking = _______ Listening = _____________ Repeatedly = ______________ prayer Bible reading daily devotions

Time for God These habits are not something we “add to” our relationship with God. They ARE the relationship!

Time for God You can’t have a relationship without talkinglistening. talking and listening. You can’t have a relationship with God without prayerBible reading. prayer and Bible reading. Your relationship won’t grow any deeper without“repeatedly.”

Time for God “Repeatedly” “Repeatedly” is what’s difficult. systems. 1. Breakdown of systems. choices. 2. Breakout of choices.

Time for God systems What systems can you establish to help you succeed at a new habit? 1.Attach it to ________________. an existing habit Meals Bedtime Commute Planning, scheduling ______________

Time for God systems What systems can you establish to help you succeed at a new habit? 2.Invite ______________. accountability 2)Spouse or close friend 3)Children or parents 4)Small group 5)Church

Time for God systems What systems can you establish to help you succeed at a new habit? 3.Remember: it’s ____________, not ____________. relationship regulations

Time for God choices How can you handle the choices that threaten your systems? 1.Make your choices _____________. ahead of time 2.Make your choices _____. once 3.Anticipate the _____ you will ____. wallsface

Time for God walls What walls will you face? Procrastination? Interruptions? Boredom? Choices? Lack of visible results? No accountability partners? ______________?

Time for God How will you get over them? You belong to Christ Jesus, and though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought very near to him because of what Jesus Christ has done for you with his blood. For Christ himself is our way of peace. He has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one family, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. (Ephesians 2:13-14, TLB)

Time for God How will you get over them? 1.______ your walls. To _____. My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. (Psalm 32:5, TLB) To ______. Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results. (James 5:16, TLB) Admit God others

Time for God How will you get over them? 2._____ your walls. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. (Hebrews 10:39, NIV)Face

Time for God How will you get over them? 3.___ your walls. Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:72, NIV) The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" (John 21:17, NIV) Hit

Time for God How will you get over them? 4.Find a ______. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21, NIV) ladder

Time for God wallladder. For every wall there’s a ladder. Procrastination? ______________ Interruptions? ________________ Boredom? ___________________ Choices? ____________________ Lack of visible results? ________ No accountability partners? _____________________________

Time for God How will you get over them? 5.Ask ____ for _____. I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. (Philippians 4:13, TLB) Godhelp

Time for God Getting started 1.Choose a ____. 2.Choose your _____. 3.Choose a _____. (relationships need to be __________ as well as familiar) tool track time intentional

Time for God Getting started 4.Find an ____. Use the 7 connections: ally Marriage connection Marriage devotional tools, retreats, seminars Family connection Family devotional tools, ideas from other Christian families Small group connection Existing group, or form a new one for this purpose Church connection Talk to pastor about ways church can support devotions Kingdom connection Prayer groups, conferences, interfaith Bible studies

Time for God Getting started 4.Find an ____. Use the 7 connections: ally World connection Missions, neighborhood, relatives -- sharing what you do and how it works for you

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12, NIV