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Time

October 26, 2025
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Big Idea: Our time is one of the most valuable gifts we can give, and God calls us to steward it well.

Lean In

  • How would you describe your relationship with time? How do you feel like you’re doing at managing it?
  • Where are your biggest challenge points when it comes to spending time wisely? 
  • What would you like to spend more time on if you could?

Look Up

During the message, we spent time examining Jesus’ use of time, hoping to learn from him as his disciples. Let’s take time to work through an extended section of one of his biographies, to see what we can keep learning. Read Mark 1:16 – 2:17 aloud together.

Observation — What does the text say?

  • What do you notice in this passage? What words, phrases, or ideas stand out to you?
  • What is Jesus spending time on? Are there patterns in his actions?
  • What did Jesus accomplish in this segment of his life? How did others benefit from his use of time?

Interpretation — What does the text mean?

  • What do we learn about Jesus’ character from this passage?
  • What from this passage challenges our human assumptions about time?
  • What did Jesus’ use of time reveal about his priorities?

Application — How should we respond?

  • How are you personally encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
  • Where are the biggest potential conflicts between your current priorities and the priorities that Jesus displayed?
  • What do you need Jesus to teach you regarding the use of time? What would you like to learn from him?

Reflect + Relate

  • Review the questions from Sunday’s message and hone in on which one stood out most to you.
    • Who is the owner of time in my life?
    • What priorities are revealed in how I spend time?
    • Where am I operating on my own versus in a cooperative partnership with God?
    • How am I serving others with the time given to me?
  • What specific action steps could you take in response to one of those questions in order to reshape your approach to time?

Further Study

  • To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14 NIV)
  • The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it… (Psalm 24:1 NIV)
  • Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. (Psalm 145:13 NIV)
  • Hear, O Israel: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NIV).
  • At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV)
  • Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. (John 5:19-20 NIV). 
  • Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh, but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10 NRSV)

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, we’re here to learn from you. Please help me discern what I need to pay attention to. Help me learn from you how to use time well. I want to step into the abundance of time that you’re giving me and make the most of every opportunity you give me to do good.”

Practice (Step Out)

Here are a few ways to walk out what we’ve learned this week:

  1. Consciously renew your role as “steward” of time on an hourly or daily basis. Memorizing a key scripture, such as Psalm 24:1 or Psalm 145:13, and repeating it throughout your day could be a way of bringing back to mind God as owner of all things, including your time.
  2. Continue reading through Mark or one of the gospel narratives, and continue taking notes on Jesus’ use of time. What can you learn about his priorities and his effective use of time?
  3. Share with someone else what you’re learning and what action steps you sense God leading you to take in regard to the use of your time.
  4. Take a “time audit” and track how you’re using your time throughout the whole week, and then reflect back on how you used it. Where do you see an opportunity to reprioritize and adjust your time usage?
  5. Designate a specific amount of time for solitude and silence, where you prioritize God as the focus – perhaps 20-30 mins. Reflect on Deuteronomy 6:4-5, and ask the Lord what it would look like for you to love him in this way? What comes to mind? What action does it provoke in you?