Priorities

Introduction

Each year before school starts, I always look at my schedule and make sure my priorities are in order. I make sure I have my quiet time, time for church, family, friends, work, etc. But then life happens and things start getting crazy busy. Can you relate? But one thing I noticed, when time and schedules got crazy, the first thing to go was my quiet time with Jesus each day. The one thing I need the most is the priority I ended up doing the least. The Bible teaches us in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” When we seek Jesus first, then we can be the teammate we are called to be. When we seek Jesus first, then we can be the athlete we are called to be. When we seek Jesus first, then we can be the daughter, son, friend, student, etc., we are called to be.

Application

1. Write down what your schedule looks like during a school year. Who or what gets your most time, effort and attention?
2. Now write down how you want and need your priorities to be.

Bridge

1. Read Matthew 22:35-40.
2. In verses 37-39 Jesus commands us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. How does your priority list match up with Jesus’?

Connection

1. What impact would there be on your team if the priority was to follow the greatest commandment … putting God first, others second and you third?
2. How would it change you, personally?

Discovery

Take time to look at the list of your daily schedule. Does it reflect God’s priorities? If not, think of some realistic steps to help rearrange your time commitments so they do.

Close

Memory verse: “Yet for us there is one God, the Father.  All things are from Him, and we exist for Him...” – 1 Corinthians 8:6