Bible Study for Me vs. Bible Study for Work - Preventing Burn Out series
By Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com Girls Ministry
Like in any other profession, Christian Ministers experience "burn out".
A lot of times this is because our Bible study times are only for work--to write a new sermon, find out the answer to an FAQ from our flock (see 1 Peter 5:1-11), finish a new article, etc. and not for our own personal spiritual enrichment.
Luke 6:39-42 reminds us, "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (NIV)
Help squash burn out by separating the times. Block out work-related Bible study time(s) from personal Bible study time(s).
When we are refreshed in our personal Bible study times, it carries over into our work-related Bible study times. They inevitably pour into and energize each other.
Never try to cram work-related Bible study and personal Bible study into an overlapping time slot. Try work-related Bible study during your regularly alloted "work day" and in a professional working environment.
Try personal Bible study in a more relaxed and personal environment, yet free from distractions. Gain insight from these FAQs from girls at the InTheTimes.com Faith Blog:
Don't be afraid to set boundaries! The world is not going to stop turning because you take "time away" to pray and study the Word of God for your own personal enrichment.
Tell your secretary to take messages during this time, alert your family that unless someone or something is in critical condition to not disturb you, don't be afraid to leave an environment and go to another one that will be free from noise and distractions, etc. Never feel guilty about spending alone time with the LORD!
Matthew 10:32-33, 37-42 advises us, "Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.
Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes the one who sent Me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is My disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." (NIV)
* This is an excerpt from the book In the Times Girls Ministry by Ruth Tynes. Copyright 2006. It may not be reprinted or posted without written permission from the author. Please contact for reprint permission.
