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Each One Teach One Discipleship Lessons
Part Two:
FAITH THAT GROWS UP:
Growing in Your Faith in God
LESSON EIGHT:
The DISCIPLINE of TIME
Ephesians 5:15-16 (KJV)
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the
days are evil.
The Greek word translated “redeem” here implies to “rescue from loss” or to “ransom.” If Paul could say that the
“days are evil” in his own time to the people of Ephesus, how much more could we say so today to the people of
America and the whole world! Is your time being lost because you have not disciplined yourself? Is it held
bondage by your own self-centered interests or weaknesses?
Who is Lord of your time: Jesus, yourself, or perhaps even the Devil?
The NIV translators make it clear how time is redeemed:
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)
Be very careful, then, how you live– not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil.
***** Paul said the same thing to the Colossians:
[Colossians 4:5]
Be wise in the way you act toward _________________; make the most of every opportunity (KJV:
“redeeming the time.)
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***** And he makes it clear to the Romans how to do this:
[Romans 13:11-12]
And do this, understanding the present _________. The hour has come for you to
____________________________________, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first
believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the
________________________ and put on the _______________________________.
***** It is time for Christians to make the most of their time through discipline of their time.
There are two main aspects to making best use of your time in service to the LORD:
1. Deciding what to spend your time on–getting your priorities straight. Does your use of your time prove that
what you say is important to you really is important to you? Are you really “seeking first the kingdom of God” in
your use of time?
_____________________________________________________________________________
What a great vacation! Well, back to the ol’ grind. Oh. Yeah… I think I’ll be
able to dedicate every Tuesday afternoon from 4:00 to 6:00 to my
sacrificial ministry.
Soon as I get back from this
vacation, I’m gonna start involving
my spiritual gifts in a sacrificial
ministry to proclaim the Gospel to a
society that is on a slippery slope
to damnation.
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2. Being diligent and zealous in everything you do. It’s not just the “raw” amount of time you spend on
something that makes the difference. It is how effectively you use that time.
[Romans 12:11-12]
Not _________________ in business; _______________ in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope;
patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[Romans 12:11-12]
Never be lacking in ____________, but keep your spiritual ______________, serving the Lord. Be
joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
***** Even Paul didn’t take his priorities or zeal for granted!
[Philippians 3:12-14]
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I
__________________ to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not
consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: ________________________ what is
behind and straining toward what is ahead, I _________________ toward the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
***** How do you know if your priorities are properly ordered? If Jesus is really your “Commander-in-Chief” it
will be His business you will be putting your best effort and time into, not “civilian affairs”:
[II Timothy 2:3-4]
Endure hardship with us like a __________________________ of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a
soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to ______________ his commanding officer.
***** If we don’t have ourselves disciplined in the way we use our time, our efforts at discipline of prayer, Bible
Study, and all other aspects of Christian growth will be stunted.
Let’s REDEEM the TIME!
REVIEW:
1. The TIMES we live in are evil.
2. Our TIME on earth is limited.
3. We need to make the most of our TIME for the Lord.
4. To use TIME properly we need to get our PRIORITIES straight.
5. To use TIME properly we need to be DILIGENT and ZEALOUS.
6. Jesus should be LORD of our TIME.
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MEMORY VERSES:
LESSON EIGHT MEMORY VERSE:
Ephesians 5:15-16
Be very careful, then, how you live–
not as unwise but as wise
making the most of every opportunity.
because the days are evil.
LESSON FIVE MEMORY VERSE:
I Corinthians 9:27
I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
LESSON SIX MEMORY VERSE:
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
LESSON SEVEN MEMORY VERSE:
II Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of
God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
QUESTIONS:
1. What modern “symptoms” show we live in evil times?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you ever feel you don’t have enough time? Why?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Have you attempted to schedule your time? If so, how?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
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4. Is your use of time in line with what you think your priorities are? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. What would you tell someone who says, “My job just demands so much of my time and energy, I’m too tired
after work to do much study, prayer or fellowship.”
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
6. Write Ephesians 5:15-16 from memory:
Be very careful then____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
7. Recite from memory:
I Corinthians.9:27 (I beat my body…)
Philippians 4:6-7 (Do not be anxious…)
II Timothy 3:16-17 (All scripture is…)