Time Management Jesus Style

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Transforming insights Practical principles Hands-on tools for maximizing your life

Jesus is our pattern for life management.

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We rarely study His life and teaching to learn about the practical issues of life like. . .
Leadership training Prayer Time management.

Even secular books are now exploring Jesus leadership genius.

Jesus is our pattern for life management.

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His example and teaching on time management are:

Practical Freeing Transforming

Several key principles from Jesus life.

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Put first things firstprayer, evangelism, leadership training. You must know who you are and what your mission is. It is possible for you to accomplish everything God wants you to! (John 17:4) Do you genuinely believe this? Time management is not easy but it is possible! (Mark 6:30-34)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Jesus (Matthew 11:27-30)

Come to Me. . .
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The root source of burnout is almost always a lack of prayer. We are surrounded by a cacophony of voices and an impossible number of needs, responding to them will always lead to burnout. In the presence of Jesus we receive rest.

There is rest in:

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Discovering the presence and reality of the Father. (Matthew 11:27) Realizing our identity in Him. Receiving His empowering. (John 7:3739) Discerning His call on your life with clarity and focus. (Mark 1:35-38) Accepting our own limitations.

TIME FOR YOUR CHECK UP

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Would you say that at this point in time, your life is thoroughly based on prayer? Why or why not? What internal obstacles (factors inside you) have held you back from living a life of prayer? What external obstacles? Share your answers with the person next to you and take time to pray and minister to each other.

Take my yoke upon you.

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If the yoke fits, wear it. If your yoke is hard and heavy it is not from Jesus. His yoke fits you. Understand how he has made and gifted you.
God calls us to repentance but he does not want to change some of the special ways that he has made and gifted you.

Discerning His Yoke

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What were 3 ministry situations in your life where you had a blast & God used you in a tremendous way? What are some of the characteristics about those situations that allowed you to function so effectively?

Discerning His Yoke

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What are 2 ministry situations that were very frustrating and where your gifts did not fit properly? What do these experiences tell you about what kind of situation best fits your gifts?

Discerning His Yoke

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How can you arrange your life and current ministry situation so that it fits the way God has made you? You should work were you are strongest 80% of the time, where learning 15% of the time, where weakest 5% of the time.

Cooperate with the seasons in your life.

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Write down your age today and the ages of your spouse and any children. Briefly describe your present ministry situation. Project your personal life and ministry five, ten and twenty years into the future.

Cooperate with the seasons in your life.

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How would you describe the season you are presently in. What does God want your priorities to be in this season?

Cooperate with the rhythms in your life.

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What time of the day is up time for you? What time of the day is down time for you? What does this say about how you should schedule your daily activity?

Keep a regular Sabbath!

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Even God took a break! tbbv (Sabbath) from tbv meaning to stop, cease, desist, rest. Jesus taught that the Sabbath was to be seen as a freeing gift not a burden. (Mark 2:27)

tbv (Stop!)
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Do you consistently take a Sabbath to rest and reflect? If so, how can it be improved? If not, what strongholds in your life keep you from doing so? How is God calling you to repent?

Learn from me.

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In a section of your journal write down what God is teaching you about life management.
Record things that your learned from what went right and what went wrong in the day.

Write down things that God is teaching you through dreams.

Set goals for key areas in 3 month increments.

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Make these clear & measurable. Break them down into workable steps. Share these goals with those they effect to get their encouragement, counsel, cooperation and accountability.

Like Jesus overlap you life.

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Pray and let God give you fantastic time management insights. Break the dysfunctional, individualistic American ministry model.
Like Jesus, almost never ministry alone. Involve people at many points in your life (traveling, eating and ministering).

Use lull times strategically.

Respect the Paretto (80/20) principle.

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80% of your impact comes from 20% of your effort. Focus on doing the 20% with excellence. Do what you have to on the 80% in a less than adequate way.

Other Principles from Jesus

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Stay very focused to the point of rudeness. (Mark 7:24-27) Minimize interruptions. (Mark 1:43-44; 9:30-31) Recognize opportunities for ministry in the midst of interruptions. (Mark 5:2143) Jesus was focused, but never hurried.

Tools for time management

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Time Log Weekly Priority Planner

The Time Log

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Photocopy the attached form and keep a time log for two weeks.
Prepare to be Shocked!

Write down everything. Note each shift of focus such as interruptions and phone calls. After ten days total it and look for patterns.

The Time Log

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Of course, it was not a typical ten days! No ten days are! It is very untypical to have a typical day. Write down an ideal day. Alter your schedule to make this a reality as much as possible.

The Weekly Priority Planner

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Write down your roles. Put down weekly goals for each role. Enter activities to fulfill these goals before you fill in the other time slots in your week.