Time managment

[Matt]

Okay, all you guys. I'm having a bit of a struggle here and I want your advice on something. Two questions:

I have been spending time on another activity that has been pushing away my time of Bible study. Though this other activity relates to the Bible, I haven't gotten much out of it. What should I do?

I'll post the other question after you've answered this one.

-Thanks, Matt

[Lionroar0]

Hi matt

If you are refering to this forum then cut it out.lol  Nothing  replaces Bible study.

If it's something else can you say what it is?

[michael_legna]

Okay, all you guys. I'm having a bit of a struggle here and I want your advice on something. Two questions:

I have been spending time on another activity that has been pushing away my time of Bible study. Though this other activity relates to the Bible, I haven't gotten much out of it. What should I do?

I'll post the other question after you've answered this one.

-Thanks, Matt

I think the first thing you have to ask youself is - How long have you given this other activity before you assessed that you haven't gotten much out of it?

If it is a long time then perhaps you need to lay it aside for now and go back to studying the word of God.

It is hard to judge without knowing what this other activity is.

[Matt]

Alright. Now to clarify. Two days ago, I started in this forum. You're right, it hasn't been long, but as far as I can tell this forum just goes around in endless circles of debating and bickering and people are constantly being offended. I see no love here.

Now, for Bible study, I was memorising one chapter of Matthew a day. I didn't know that by starting on this forum, I would be cutting my extra time to do that, but that's how it worked out. That's why my user name is Matt - Matthew the book I'm studying.

So, what do you guys think is really beneficial about this board? With the amount of time that you spend on it every day, how much could you memorize of the Bible? Does it matter?

-Matt

[michael_legna]

Alright. Now to clarify. Two days ago, I started in this forum. You're right, it hasn't been long, but as far as I can tell this forum just goes around in endless circles of debating and bickering and people are constantly being offended. I see no love here.

Now, for Bible study, I was memorising one chapter of Matthew a day. I didn't know that by starting on this forum, I would be cutting my extra time to do that, but that's how it worked out. That's why my user name is Matt - Matthew the book I'm studying.

So, what do you guys think is really beneficial about this board? With the amount of time that you spend on it every day, how much could you memorize of the Bible? Does it matter?

-Matt

Keep coming to the board but only read my posts.  J/K  

No if I were you I would study scripture more, though I would recommend getting a set of tapes or something where you could listen to the scriptures as you drive or something.  Focusing on memorizing an entire book of the Bible is perhaps too focused to get an overall understanding of the cohesiveness of all of scripture.  IMHO  

[Lionroar0]

hi Matt

ONe thing that i did when i was in college was to tape the lecture and write down notes. Later i would listen to the tape and read the notes and put it all together.  

[Matt]

Thanks for your tips - but I know what I'm doing. You could say that I'm a professional memorizer. You see, I'll memorize the rest of Matthew this month (within 28 days, to be exact) then for the rest of the year I'll study it like crazy until every word is firmly in my mind.

[michael_legna]

Thanks for your tips - but I know what I'm doing. You could say that I'm a professional memorizer. You see, I'll memorize the rest of Matthew this month (within 28 days, to be exact) then for the rest of the year I'll study it like crazy until every word is firmly in my mind.

I hope yopu are memorizing it in Greek - English is just a waste of time.  

[JudgeNot]

You're right, it hasn't been long, but as far as I can tell this forum just goes around in endless circles of debating and bickering and people are constantly being offended. I see no love here.

Dude!  I love ya!  (I think 'mean' is easier for a lot of people to express.  Without practice, love is tough!)

[Gracey]

I have been spending time on another activity that has been pushing away my time of Bible study.

Can I reply to your question with some questions?

1) Why do you do bible study?

2) What comes first in your life?

---------------------------
Now....to answer question one, if you study the bible to draw you closer to God; to strive to become more like Christ in every way, then bible study is pleasing to God.

In answer to question 2 - God should come first in our lives; above our family, above our friends and above ourselves. If He comes first, if we've truly put Him first, then we desire to grow in His word.

I guess you could answer your question by asking which would God choose for you?

------------------------------
be blessed
Gracey

[Matt]

Well, that's a complicated question, believe it or not. I'm memorizing it in 28 days because my step-dad promised to take me to Spiderman 2 if I did. I was studying Matthew in the first place because I'm in this awesome sport called "Bible Quizzing" and that's what we're quizzing on next year. (Hey, if you want me to, I can post information about that in a new thread.) The reason I signed up for Bible Quizzing two years ago is because I wanted to study and learn the word of God, to draw closer to him. God is, of course, the most important in my life.

So, overall, I have a good motive.

listen to the scriptures as you drive or something.

I can't drive.  I'm not quite old enough to get my permit yet.

-Matt

[Gracey]

because I wanted to study and learn the word of God, to draw closer to him. God is, of course, the most important in my life.

Yes, you have a good motive in this area....so, ummm, the rest of your post also provides me with a hint:

I can't drive.   I'm not quite old enough to get my permit yet.

You are still young, with much ahead of you (God willing).

God wants to be first in our lives - so order your day in that way. Put His desires first, over your own. Give him the "first fruits" of your day, not the leftovers. The amount of time you spend isn't all that important (right now), just that you spend it with God, in whatever ways draw you close to Him.

In the old testatment, sacrifices to God were the "best" of the crop or herd...yes, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for us, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't still be giving to God our "best"...our best in all things; giving Him our best because we love Him.

Study His word as your understanding grows...allow Him to direct you in your growth.

If you give unto His will, instead of your own, you will find the right balance.

...may He always direct your path

Gracey †