Free Sunday School lesson for teens and young adults on Wasting Time as a Christian using the King James Bible.
Begin the lesson with a question:
- If I were to give you 10 million dollars, would you take it? There’s one catch: You won’t wake up tomorrow.
This was a question that a man asked people at random on the street, and the answer was always the same: Waking up tomorrow is more important that 10 million dollars.
The most precious thing you have in this life is your time.
What is Tithing?
Tithing is giving God 10%. Many churches teach on this, and while it turns many people away from church attendance, it is the right thing to do. God is the one who gave you the health, ability, skills, etc. to work that job. It’s all his money anyway. Psalm 50 KJV teaches that God already owns everything, including the “cattle on a thousand hills” (verse 10). He does not need our money, but it is him to give us an opportunity to be blessed by him. After all, the Lord loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV).
However, tithing involves more than money. You also owe God your time.
As a Christian, there are a few things you need to consider:
- When’s the last time you read your Bible?
- When’s the last time you spent over 30 minutes reading the Bible?
- For how long did you spend in prayer today?
Tithing Your Time
A little math concerning what we “owe” God: 10% of 24 hours is 2 hours and 24 minutes, but if you consider waking hours (being awake 16 hours of the 24 hour day), we owe God around 1 hour and 36 minutes per day. In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t that long of a time, especially spaced out throughout the day. However, most people cannot imagine reading the bible for over an hour.
The most common excuse that people have is that they don’t have time.
Is that really the case? In a class of teenagers or adults, I would have them take out their phones and look at their screen time. However, the following questions are always appropriate:
- What did you do yesterday?
- Why can’t you wake up just a little early? (Proverbs 6:4-11 KJV)
- What are уоu doing so late at night, so you can’t get to bed on time?
- Most kids give the excuse that they were doing homework or playing sports. What
were you doing earlier, so you couldn’t do your homework?
- Can you not read while eating?
Giving God your time is spiritual nourishment. It’s not just good for you; it’s a commandment.
“Starting Tomorrow”
Another common excuse that people want to give is that they will start tomorrow.
Ephesians 5:14-16 KJV gives the command to wake up from the illusion that you have as much time in life that you want. Life is going on right now, not tomorrow or even 10 years from now. Besides, we are not even promised tomorrow (James 4:14 KJV). One day, you will wake up to wasting your life either because of your age, or because God will do something (Psalm 90:11-12 KJV).
Biblical Examples
Abraham was known as the friend of God.
David was a man after God’s own heart.
How did these men earn these titles?
They spent time with God: talking to him, singing Psalms, and believing him. Genesis 14:20 KJV tells us that Abraham gave him [God] tithes of all – that includes time. David wrote many Psalms and, in many cases, “encouraged himself in the Lord.” Both are mentioned as heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 KJV, along with many others. God tells us in his word how to increase our faith.
Romans 10:17 KJV – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Do you want to be singled out and blessed like Abraham?
Do you want to be strong and wise like David?
Spend time with God: both by reading his word and praying to him.
Modern Christianity
There are so many “Christians” in the world today who have no idea what God wants for their lives, what they should believe, or even answers to questions others may have about their faith because they do not spend time with God in his word to learn these things. Moreover, these people are often miserable because contentment can only come through a close relationship with God. This is more than just salvation, which saves you from hell, but it involves walking with God daily.
The Bible tells us in Romans 12:1 KJV that it is our reasonable service to devote our lives to God because of Jesus’s sacrifice for our salvation.
Close the lesson with some surprising statistics from Google:
On average, people spend 26 years of their life sleeping, 11 years working a job, 5 years eating, and 7 years completing household chores. Most of this time is typically non-negotiable because people must sleep, work, and eat to survive. This also doesn’t account for time spent watching TV or on social media.
A successful life is measured in more than just how much money is made or how many degrees are earned. Rather, it is measured in how you spent your time. Only things done for God with the right motive will last in eternity.
You don’t want to wake up one day and realize you’ve wasted your life.
If you enjoyed this Bible lesson “Wasting Time as a Christian,” be sure to check out other lessons here.
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