We talk about making disciples, but do we make the time to do it? In this series of lessons, we must address time management as it relates to personal discipleship.
The Best Use of the Time
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:15-17).
- To make the most out of our lives for Kingdom work, we must do regular, thorough investigation into how we spend our time.
- Unwise practices can lure us away from wise living.
- If there is best use of our time, that implies that there is an actual worst way to spend our time.
- If the days are evil, that means that we must be on guard against evil tactics, distractions, and pursuits that could rob us of our time.
- The will of God is actually tied to how wisely we spend our time (cf. Ps. 90:12; 39:4).
Productivity and Time Management
Once you realize that you only have a limited amount of time, you begin to think about how you can better use your time. Here are some things to consider in order to maximize your time:
- Identify the most important things that you can do with your life.
- Identify the time-wasters distracting you from the most important things and determine how to eliminate them.
- Figure out how you are wired and the type of tools that will best work for you.
- Determine what type of scheduling tools will work best to keep your calendar organized.
- Determine what type of task management tools will help you keep track of your to-do lists.
- Determine what type of information tools will help you organize important content.
- Evaluate your systems regularly to make sure you are using your time in the best way.
Making Time for Personal Discipleship
As it comes to your own personal discipleship, here are some steps to make a plan:
- Make a Plan – Decide what you will implement to grow in godliness (1 Tim. 4:7).
- Establish a Priority – Schedule the time when you will prioritize your discipleship (Eph. 5:16).
- Find a Partner – Align yourself with someone who will keep you accountable (Prov. 27:17).
Making Time for Personal Disciple-Making
As you make disciples, here are some next steps to consider:
- Identify the Person to Disciple – Who is the person whom you will invest in spiritually?
- Determine the Time to Meet – When will you have a consistent meeting time?
- Discover the Areas to Address – What does this person need to work on specifically?
- Clarify the Expectations to Meet – What will you expect of this person?
- Communicate the Time to End – How long will you intentionally disciple this person?
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
