Managing Our Time For Spiritual Growth

Introduction:
Spiritual progress is expected of the Christian. (Eph. 4:14-15; 2 Thess. 1:3) How are we doing in regard to this? Why is it that some do not grow into maturity as quickly as they should? Some do well and never look back while others never seem to get off to a good start and constantly struggle. Does Luke 8:14 parallel your spiritual life? Are our lives so hectic that we no longer have time to grow spiritually? If we become too busy to spend time in activities God has designed for our spiritual growth—we are in spiritual jeopardy.

I. ________ ________________.
    A. Why do we spend much of our time under tremendous stress?
    B. Why do we think we can go indefinitely without spending time alone with ___________?
        1. We must make time for spiritual ______________.
    C. We become distracted by ____________ about many things. See Lk. 10:38-42
        1. Are we choosing the part that shall not be taken away?
        2. We get busy with life & then wonder why our _________ _______ are _________!
    D. How many of us are running on empty spiritually? “An accident waiting to happen?”

II. Look at the ____________ ________________.
    A. Mk. 3:20—none of us are as busy as __________ was. Mk. 6:30-32
    B. Jesus made time alone w/His ________. Mt. 14:13-14; 22-25; Mk.
        1:35; Lk. 6:12
    C. Jesus made this a ___________! Lk. 5:16
        1. John 18:2- how did Judas know where to go?
        2. One CAN take time to commune with God!

III. We are in need of better __________-______________.
    A. Are we good stewards of _________________?
    B. Why do we squander time on so many things that are __________?
        1. Prodigal: “______________ wasteful; _______________”
        2. See Lk. 15:11-13

IV. This requires ________________________.
    A. What are we __________ upon? 1 Pet. 2:2
        1. Mt. 4:4—______________ is associated with the Word.
        2. ___________ required! 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:13
    B. Turn off the TV! Put down the newspaper!
    C Take Time to be Holy
    D. We CAN build some “quiet spaces” somewhere in there among all the other activities!
    E. Are we willing to follow through when it comes to these passages?
        1. 1 Cor. 15:58
        2. Js. 1:27
        3. Phil. 2:14-15

Conclusion:
    A. Are we giving ourselves ENTIRELY to spiritual matters?
        1. Which better describes you? Lk. 8:14 or Lk. 8:15?
    B. Significant time for spiritual growth must be more than a resolution—it must be followed through!
    C. Are you a Christian? Obey the gospel today!



Managing Our Time For Spiritual Growth Introduction: Spiritual progress is expected of the Christian. (Eph. 4:14-15; 2 Thess. 1:3) How are we doing in regard to this? Why is it that some do not grow into maturity as quickly as they should? Some do well and never look back while others never seem to get off to a good start and constantly struggle. Does Luke 8:14 parallel your spiritual life? Are our lives so hectic that we no longer have time to grow spiritually? If we become too busy to spend time in activities God has designed for our spiritual growth—we are in spiritual jeopardy. I. ________ ________________. A. Why do we spend much of our time under tremendous stress? B. Why do we think we can go indefinitely without spending time alone with ___________? 1. We must make time for spiritual ______________. C. We become distracted by ____________ about many things. See Lk. 10:38-42 1. Are we choosing the part that shall not be taken away? 2. We get busy with life & then wonder why our _________ _______ are _________! D. How many of us are running on empty spiritually? “An accident waiting to happen?” II. Look at the ____________ ________________. A. Mk. 3:20—none of us are as busy as __________ was. Mk. 6:30-32 B. Jesus made time alone w/His ________. Mt. 14:13-14; 22-25; Mk. 1:35; Lk. 6:12 C. Jesus made this a ___________! Lk. 5:16 1. John 18:2- how did Judas know where to go? 2. One CAN take time to commune with God! III. We are in need of better __________-______________. A. Are we good stewards of _________________? B. Why do we squander time on so many things that are __________? 1. Prodigal: “______________ wasteful; _______________” 2. See Lk. 15:11-13 IV. This requires ________________________. A. What are we __________ upon? 1 Pet. 2:2 1. Mt. 4:4—______________ is associated with the Word. 2. ___________ required! 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:13 B. Turn off the TV! Put down the newspaper! C Take Time to be Holy D. We CAN build some “quiet spaces” somewhere in there among all the other activities! E. Are we willing to follow through when it comes to these passages? 1. 1 Cor. 15:58 2. Js. 1:27 3. Phil. 2:14-15 Conclusion: A. Are we giving ourselves ENTIRELY to spiritual matters? 1. Which better describes you? Lk. 8:14 or Lk. 8:15? B. Significant time for spiritual growth must be more than a resolution—it must be followed through! C. Are you a Christian? Obey the gospel today!