WEEK 1 | SIMPLIFY YOUR SCHEDULE
BOTTOM LINE
Our schedule reveals our priorities. Ultimately it should reveal who we want to be.
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Proverbs 28:19
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most out of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
GOAL OF SMALL GROUP
To encourage us to consider that we are the boss of our schedules. It’s our responsibility to keep command of
our calendars in order to simplify our lives and become who we want to be.
THINK ABOUT THIS
Simplified living requires more than just organizing your closets or cleaning out your desk drawer. It requires
uncluttering your soul. A quote by Bill Hybels from his book Simplify. Ten Practices to Unclutter Your Soul.
He also says Simplified living is about more than doing less. It’s about being who God calls us to be. We have
become so accustomed to living at a frantic pace that we can’t discriminate between what’s important and the
unessential. We become depleted and unfocused.
Just for Fun: Assuming you have a calendar, take a good look at it. What does it reflect? Appointments,
meetings and projects? Tangible things. Is there anything on there that shows who and what are important to
you? Relationships with family? Time with God? Fun?
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WEEK 1 | SIMPLIFY YOUR SCHEDULE
SAY THIS
Your schedule is causing you to become someone. Is it causing you to become a workaholic dad, a chronically
exhausted mom, a distracted employee, the “heavy one” in the room…?
Or is it causing you to become a devoted follower of Christ, a responsible financial steward, a formidable prayer
warrior, a faithful friend? Your schedule is causing you to become someone. What do you think of who you’ve
become?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
• “Daddy, are you going to be away again tonight?” Have you ever been on the receiving end of a similar
question? One the feels like an accusation rather than a question. How was that question phrased, and who
asked it? How did that make you feel?
• Bill Hybels says that people are living deadly pattern of exhausted, overwhelmed and overscheduled lives.
If you feel this way what usually triggers these feelings? (Are you fearful of what happens if you say ‘no’? Do you
derive self worth from achievement? Do you feel guilt if you choose your needs over others?)
• Think about a bucket representing how full you feel your life is. Draw a picture of a bucket with a line
representing how full your life feels. Share with the group why you put the line where you did.
• If your bucket is less that full, what price have you had to pay along the way for this less than full bucket?
Look at your peace of mind. Time with others. Relationships. Discuss your thoughts with the group.
• Bill Hybels outlines 5 streams that lead to replenishment, 5 ways to fill your bucket:
1.
Connection with God
2. Family
3.
Satisfying Work
4.
Recreation
5.
Exercise
When you are depleted, which of these activities tends to fill your bucket up most?
Which are you craving most today?
• What priorities do you need to lean into? What is getting in the way of making these a priority on your
schedule? Be honest. What excuses to you make for keeping these off your calendar?
• Looking at the answers that were shared around the group, can you think of ways to help others overcome
their obstacles? Be gentle and humble. We all struggle with things, but sometimes others can see things from a
different perspective and open our eyes to seeing things differently.
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WEEK 1 | SIMPLIFY YOUR SCHEDULE
TRY THIS
The challenge this week is to get going on a God-First Schedule. The first step isn’t to consider what needs to
get done, but who you want to become. Decide who that is. Look at your weekly calendar through that lens and
make some changes. Small changes at first are good!
God has a plan for you. Invite Him in to this decision-making process of what is going to move you closer to who
you want to become.
Be ready to share at your next meeting the changes you are making.
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