As much as we would all love to hang on to our lives, we all know this life is fleeting. Each year seems to pass by faster than the next. Because life is fleeting and passes by more quickly each day, we have to be intentional about how we live our lives. After all, life is about so much more than the things of this world. It is about God and His kingdom, and we must live accordingly as His followers.
When is a time something valuable you owned got lost, stolen, or broken? What did it teach you about the things of this world?
1. What things distract people from living for what really matters?
2. Read Ephesians 5:1-9. Compare and contrast how we are called to live versus how the world lives.
Ephesians 5:1-9
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
3. Read Ephesians 5:15-20. Why are we called to make the most of our time on earth?
Ephesians 5:15-20
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. According to this passage of Scripture, how can we make the most of every opportunity?
1. When you evaluate how you are using your time, what is going well?
2. When it comes to how you are using your time, what needs improvement?
3. What does it look like for followers of Christ today to make the most of our time?
What is one thing you can start doing in order to make the most of your brief time on this earth to have an impact for Christ? Share that with your group today. After everyone has shared, pray together. Ask God to help you all as you seek to make the most of your time on this earth in such a way that you have an impact for eternity.
Of all the precious commodities in this world, time is one of the most precious. Time cannot be paused. We cannot “rewind” or “fast forward” time. We can, however, live differently in light of the truth that time is fleeting. Let’s take a few moments to look at what Scripture teaches about time and how we can respond to the truth Scripture teaches about time.
As much as we can plan and try to manipulate time in our favor, we are not in control. Time continues to pass by. Rain upends our plans. Illnesses occur that remind us how fleeting life can be. Time reminds us that we are not in control. It also points us to the One who is in control: God.
1. Read James 4:13-16.
James 4:13-16
13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.
2. What does this verse teach us about time?
3. How are we to live in light of what this Scripture teaches us about time?
4. How does what you know about God give you peace, knowing He is the One in control?
The human interpretation of time can vary. Sometimes, time feels like it is moving so slowly, and other times, it feels as if it is flying by. The Bible teaches us that God, who is the author of time, operates on a different timeline than we do. His timing is different from ours. When we feel as if He is working too slowly or too quickly, He is always right on time.
1. Read 2 Peter 3:8.
2 Peter 3:8
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.
2. Contrast God’s timing and our timing based on this passage of Scripture.
3. How does understanding the difference between our timing and God’s timing impact how we wait?
4. Is there an area of your life now where you need to trust His timing?
There has been much research on how to extend human life. The truth is that even the healthiest person will ultimately pass away. Months turn into years, which turn into decades faster than we can blink. When we understand the brevity of our time here on earth, we can make the most of it.
1. Read Psalm 90:12.
Psalm 90:12
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
2. Summarize the message of this passage of Scripture in your own words.
3. What happens when we understand how short life is?
4. What does it look like today to live understanding the brevity of life?
Because time is precious and fleeting, we must make the most of it. One of the ways that we can make the most of our time is by sharing our faith. Take some time now to pray for the people in your life who do not know Christ. Pray for them specifically by name. As you go throughout your week, look for opportunities to share the hope of Christ with them this week.
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