Small Group Guide: A Time for Everything
Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Opening Prayer
Begin your time together by asking God to help you value the time He has given you and to use it wisely for His glory.
Ice Breaker
Share a time when you felt like God "tapped you on the shoulder" during a scripture reading or sermon. What was the message, and how did it impact you?
Key Scripture
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven..."
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
1. Time is a finite, precious gift from God - We have approximately 2.5 billion seconds in an average lifetime, but it's still just one life.
2. Mortality gives life meaning - Just as real flowers are more precious than plastic ones because they're temporary, our limited time makes each moment valuable.
3. We are stewards of our time - God will hold us accountable for how we use the time He's given us.
4. Peace comes from within - As we mature, we learn to stop wasting time on meaningless pursuits and focus on what truly matters.
Discussion Questions
Understanding Time
1. How do you typically think about time?- Is it something you feel you have plenty of, or does it feel scarce? How does your perspective affect your daily choices?
2. The sermon mentioned that "time once spent cannot be added back into your life."- What does this reality mean for how you approach each day?
3. Discuss the analogy of real flowers versus plastic flowers.- How does the temporary nature of life give it beauty and meaning?
Personal Reflection
4. Where do you currently spend most of your time and money? Make a mental list. Does it reflect your stated priorities and values? Why or why not?
5. The sermon listed ten life points about time management. Which one resonated most with you, and why?
- It ain't over till it's over
- A lifetime is a finite resource
- See each day as a gift from God
- Commit your time to God
- Ask God to help you schedule wisely
- Rethink priorities to reflect God's values
- Set aside time for God
- Avoid laziness and procrastination
- Be respectful of others' time
- God will hold you accountable
6. Have you ever experienced a "mortality moment" - a time when you became acutely aware of life's brevity? How did it change your perspective or priorities?
Spiritual Application
7. Read Ephesians 5:15-16 together. What does it mean practically to "make the most of every opportunity"? What opportunities might God be placing before you right now?
8. Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to number our days that we gain a heart of wisdom." How can awareness of our limited time lead to wisdom rather than anxiety or fear?
9. The Matthew McConaughey quote mentioned that "the older you get, the quieter you become." What "nonsense" or "meaningless arguments" might you need to stop investing time in?
Moving Forward
10. What does it look like to "set aside time for God" in your current season of life? What are the biggest obstacles, and how can you overcome them?
11. How can we be better stewards of others' time? Are there ways you've been disrespectful of others' time without realizing it?
Practical Applications
Choose one or two of these action steps to commit to this week:
Personal Time Audit
- This week, track how you spend your time for 3-4 days. Note how much time goes to: work, sleep, entertainment, social media, family, prayer/Bible study, service to others, etc.
- At the end of the tracking period, evaluate: Does this align with what I say my priorities are?
- Identify one change you can make to better steward your time.
Establish a Daily God-Time
- Choose a specific time and place to meet with God each day.
- Start with just 10-15 minutes of prayer, Bible reading, or quiet reflection.
- Be consistent for one week, then evaluate how it's impacting your day.
Eliminate One Time-Waster
- Identify one activity that consumes time but adds little value (excessive social media scrolling, binge-watching shows, complaining, etc.).
- Replace that time with something intentional: calling a friend, serving someone, exercising, reading Scripture, or pursuing a meaningful hobby.
Practice Gratitude for Today
- Each morning this week, pray: "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."
- Throughout the day, notice three specific things to be grateful for.
- Before bed, thank God for the gift of that day.
Respect Others' Time
- This week, practice being 10 minutes early to appointments and commitments.
- When meeting with someone, give them your full attention (put away your phone).
- Send a thank-you note to someone who has invested time in you.
Have the Conversation
- If you haven't already, make sure your practical affairs are in order: will, trust, end-of-life wishes, passwords, etc.
- Have an honest conversation with loved ones about your faith and what matters most to you.
Memory Verse
Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity."
Closing Reflection
Read this quote from the sermon aloud together:
"At the end of the day, today, we are alive. And we should take the occasion to enjoy God's creation. Smell the flowers. Watch the sunsets. Observe the majestic wonder of the night sky and embrace every heartbeat that you have. Because ultimately, it is our death here on earth that gives the life gave us its beauty. God gave us the gift of real flowers, not plastic ones."
Silent Reflection: Take 2-3 minutes of silence to ask God:
- How do You want me to use my time differently?
- What am I holding onto that I need to release?
- What matters most that I've been neglecting?
Closing Prayer
Close by praying for each other, asking God to:
- Help you see time as a precious gift
- Give you wisdom to number your days
- Strengthen you to overcome laziness and procrastination
- Guide you to use your time for His glory
- Help you live with intentionality and purpose
Before Next Week
Share with the group one specific change you're committing to make in how you use your time this week. Consider texting or calling one another mid-week for encouragement and accountability.
"May the road rise up to meet you, and may the wind be always at your back, and may the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."
Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Opening Prayer
Begin your time together by asking God to help you value the time He has given you and to use it wisely for His glory.
Ice Breaker
Share a time when you felt like God "tapped you on the shoulder" during a scripture reading or sermon. What was the message, and how did it impact you?
Key Scripture
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven..."
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
1. Time is a finite, precious gift from God - We have approximately 2.5 billion seconds in an average lifetime, but it's still just one life.
2. Mortality gives life meaning - Just as real flowers are more precious than plastic ones because they're temporary, our limited time makes each moment valuable.
3. We are stewards of our time - God will hold us accountable for how we use the time He's given us.
4. Peace comes from within - As we mature, we learn to stop wasting time on meaningless pursuits and focus on what truly matters.
Discussion Questions
Understanding Time
1. How do you typically think about time?- Is it something you feel you have plenty of, or does it feel scarce? How does your perspective affect your daily choices?
2. The sermon mentioned that "time once spent cannot be added back into your life."- What does this reality mean for how you approach each day?
3. Discuss the analogy of real flowers versus plastic flowers.- How does the temporary nature of life give it beauty and meaning?
Personal Reflection
4. Where do you currently spend most of your time and money? Make a mental list. Does it reflect your stated priorities and values? Why or why not?
5. The sermon listed ten life points about time management. Which one resonated most with you, and why?
- It ain't over till it's over
- A lifetime is a finite resource
- See each day as a gift from God
- Commit your time to God
- Ask God to help you schedule wisely
- Rethink priorities to reflect God's values
- Set aside time for God
- Avoid laziness and procrastination
- Be respectful of others' time
- God will hold you accountable
6. Have you ever experienced a "mortality moment" - a time when you became acutely aware of life's brevity? How did it change your perspective or priorities?
Spiritual Application
7. Read Ephesians 5:15-16 together. What does it mean practically to "make the most of every opportunity"? What opportunities might God be placing before you right now?
8. Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to number our days that we gain a heart of wisdom." How can awareness of our limited time lead to wisdom rather than anxiety or fear?
9. The Matthew McConaughey quote mentioned that "the older you get, the quieter you become." What "nonsense" or "meaningless arguments" might you need to stop investing time in?
Moving Forward
10. What does it look like to "set aside time for God" in your current season of life? What are the biggest obstacles, and how can you overcome them?
11. How can we be better stewards of others' time? Are there ways you've been disrespectful of others' time without realizing it?
Practical Applications
Choose one or two of these action steps to commit to this week:
Personal Time Audit
- This week, track how you spend your time for 3-4 days. Note how much time goes to: work, sleep, entertainment, social media, family, prayer/Bible study, service to others, etc.
- At the end of the tracking period, evaluate: Does this align with what I say my priorities are?
- Identify one change you can make to better steward your time.
Establish a Daily God-Time
- Choose a specific time and place to meet with God each day.
- Start with just 10-15 minutes of prayer, Bible reading, or quiet reflection.
- Be consistent for one week, then evaluate how it's impacting your day.
Eliminate One Time-Waster
- Identify one activity that consumes time but adds little value (excessive social media scrolling, binge-watching shows, complaining, etc.).
- Replace that time with something intentional: calling a friend, serving someone, exercising, reading Scripture, or pursuing a meaningful hobby.
Practice Gratitude for Today
- Each morning this week, pray: "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."
- Throughout the day, notice three specific things to be grateful for.
- Before bed, thank God for the gift of that day.
Respect Others' Time
- This week, practice being 10 minutes early to appointments and commitments.
- When meeting with someone, give them your full attention (put away your phone).
- Send a thank-you note to someone who has invested time in you.
Have the Conversation
- If you haven't already, make sure your practical affairs are in order: will, trust, end-of-life wishes, passwords, etc.
- Have an honest conversation with loved ones about your faith and what matters most to you.
Memory Verse
Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity."
Closing Reflection
Read this quote from the sermon aloud together:
"At the end of the day, today, we are alive. And we should take the occasion to enjoy God's creation. Smell the flowers. Watch the sunsets. Observe the majestic wonder of the night sky and embrace every heartbeat that you have. Because ultimately, it is our death here on earth that gives the life gave us its beauty. God gave us the gift of real flowers, not plastic ones."
Silent Reflection: Take 2-3 minutes of silence to ask God:
- How do You want me to use my time differently?
- What am I holding onto that I need to release?
- What matters most that I've been neglecting?
Closing Prayer
Close by praying for each other, asking God to:
- Help you see time as a precious gift
- Give you wisdom to number your days
- Strengthen you to overcome laziness and procrastination
- Guide you to use your time for His glory
- Help you live with intentionality and purpose
Before Next Week
Share with the group one specific change you're committing to make in how you use your time this week. Consider texting or calling one another mid-week for encouragement and accountability.
"May the road rise up to meet you, and may the wind be always at your back, and may the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."