Part 2 – Cleaning Up Your Schedule
Leader Guide
How you spend your time really matters, whether good, bad or wasted. If we want to add value and honor God, we need to start by evaluating our schedules.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
- In the message, we were asked: “What is it you have a sense of fulfillment around? In your past or in this stage of life?” How does this show in your schedule?
Leader’s Note: At different stages of life, we may be fulfilled by beating a level in a video game, scoring a goal, graduating from college, getting married, having your first child, or reaching a goal at work. If group members are having difficulty deciding – ask them to describe what they are most excited about in the upcoming week.
- Read Ephesians 5:16-17. Think of every opportunity you currently have. How can you make the most of every opportunity? What does the passage mean by “the days are evil?” What opposition might you run into?
Leader’s Note: Make a list. Come up with some necessary things you must do, a few optional activities (occupation(s), school, exercise, church activities) and some required or most important ones (caring for our families - feeding, having an income, honoring parents, obeying the law).The “days are evil” may have referred to persecution of the Church in Ephesus. However today the days are still evil in that they are not conducive to maintaining Godly activities without intention. Left to flounder we will not automatically be drawn to the most important things; we will be distracted. The days are evil.
- Read Matthew 6:32-33. Priorities matter. How is it possible to fit in everything we need? What does God say about managing our needs, wants, and priorities in this verse? How can our schedules reflect fulfillment in worshipping God? What are practical ways we can seek the kingdom of God first?
Leader’s Note: This verse reminds us that our priority must always be seeking God and His will first. In our schedules the most important things have to be addressed first or they will be crowded out by many good but unnecessary things.
- Read Mark 12:30-31. What is the most important commandment? Jesus broke love down into four categories in this verse. What are the four categories and which one(s) come most naturally and which might need attention?
Leader’s Note: Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:12 when He is asked the most important commandment.
Heart: Feelings, Emotions, Worship – Music/Dance, Journal, recounting God’s great works
Mind: Learning about God, Reading the Bible, Listen to archived weekend messages
Strength: Put your hand to the work, serve, follow through and do the work (see: James 2:20)
Soul: With your Breath, Mission Trip Highs don’t have to be only for mission trips
- Action Step: After listening to the message, ask yourself: “What do I need to take out of my schedule?” Where do you want to be in a year? Who do you want to be in a year? We reviewed the same questions last week in regard to our friends. How does your intention to declutter your schedule also apply to helping you reach your one year goals? Review the most important commandment and the specific ways we are instructed to love God. Read Luke 10:25-28 this is an account of when Jesus was asked by an expert in the law how to gain eternal life. It turns out the answer was the most important commandment in the law.
Leader’s Note: Seeking God is hugely important. There are so many options. Everyone is created differently. Schedules are not one size fits all – although there are some universal basics. Where and Who we want to be in a year may not reflect God’s best for us yet evaluating those goals helps us to compare what is important to us to what God revealed as the most important commandment.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
- Read Luke 10:25-37. The ways we manage our time are directly related to how we behave towards others. After reading the passage, what connects the two? (You might also notice finances – our topic for next week – is also connected!)
- Why do you think the first two people (a priest and a Levite) who saw their “neighbor” decide to pass by? Could it have been that they were in a hurry? Had other priorities? Or no room in their schedules? Can you put yourself in their sandals? If you had passed by someone in need what might your reasons be?
- How can you create margin in your schedule this week to practice loving God with your heart, mind, strength, and soul?