But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [Mt. 6:33]
A new believer does not initially need a crash course in homiletics, Bible commentaries, computer programs, or topical studies on any and every possible spiritual theme. While there is not necessarily anything wrong with these, the new believer needs to first consider: “Am I willing to give up my time that I might grow in the Lord?” An all-too-familiar stumbling block to spiritual growth for new believers—or for any believer—is time management.
Time for prayer
A well-established Bible teacher and author spoke at our annual conference. He shared that before he would consent to lead a Bible study with new believers, he wanted to meet with them in prayer each morning before they went to work. His exact words were, “I want to see them on their pink little knees in prayer.” To him, fervent prayer laid a foundation for serious Bible study, and he wanted to know if young converts were willing to make prayer a priority in their daily schedules. Jesus rose early to pray (Mk. 1:35), found time to pray when He was busy (Lk. 5:15), and sometimes prayed an entire night (Lk. 6:12). Both Peter and Paul were men of prayer (Acts 10:9; 16:25; Eph. 1:15f; 1 Thes. 3:10). In Acts 6:1-7, the apostles prioritized their schedules—even when it meant reassigning some ministry opportunities—to ensure adequate time for prayer with their ministry in the Word. Do we find time for prayer in our lives?
Time for study
Growing in God’s Word is work and requires a commitment of time. The command is clear: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). The word “study” suggests diligence, labor, and effort. Another key word in the verse is “workman,” which speaks of laboring. Recently, a young man spoke at our assembly on finding time for the study of God’s Word. His enthusiasm for the Scriptures was contagious as well as practical, and he cringed at the phrase “killing time.” With delight he informed us, “Did you know that in the time it takes to watch a TV sitcom you could read through the book of Ephesians three times?” He had clocked his reading of the Old Testament to be about forty-five hours and the New Testament to be about fifteen hours. T.E. Wilson, a well-respected missionary and Bible scholar, recalled the advice he received as a youth from an older believer: “Get a good Bible and an alarm clock.” Rising early every day for the study of the Word ensured he would have uninterrupted time alone with His Saviour, and it paid off for him in years to come. May we be modern-day Bereans: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.”
Time for ministry
Involvement in ministry opportunities also results in spiritual growth. God desires us to live out what we learn. One brother shared how he began his Christian ministry by simply straightening chairs after the Lord’s Supper each Sunday. Now a full-time evangelist and Bible teacher, he reflects how he went from straightening chairs to straightening lives. Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of me” (Mt. 11:29). The apostle Paul was an example to all believers of how to balance secular employment with godly ministry (Acts 20:34; 1 Thes. 2:9; 2 Thes. 3:8), and in his first letter to Timothy he encouraged the young believer to be diligent in the Word and to utilize his spiritual gift (4:12-14). Just as Paul, the apostles, and other missionaries had exemplified, Timothy was to “carry out fully the ministry” (2 Tim. 4:5).
May each of us make a commitment to prioritize our time to continually seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.