Adapted from an article by: Gabriel Ruhl
This is a message that I preached in chapel to help our students prepare for the summer months.
The principles in it would be good for all of us.
1. Schedule
Proverbs 6:6-11
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Don’t sleep in!
Have a daily walk with God.
Be faithful in church attendance.
2. Uphold
Ezekiel 22:30
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Cell phones:
• 10 minutes a day of talk and text
• Never use in a room alone
• Never use a cell phone to call the opposite gender
• Give it to your parents every night by 10:00 p.m.
• Turn it off during church!
• Give it to your parents for a set time if you stumble
Obey.
Stay accountable.
Never watch TV without supervision.
Don’t access a computer without supervision.
Don’t access the internet without a safeguard.
3. Ministry
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Attend everything—Sunday school, morning service, evening service, midweek service, youth activities, camp—everything!
Develop a walk with God.
Determine how much Bible reading and prayer you will do each day.
Scripture memorization:
• Use 3x5 cards
• Work on the verses you know
Serve in a church ministry; get involved!
4. Mature
Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Read at least one good book this summer! (Get it approved by a godly authority.)
Learn something new.
Practice!
5. Employment
Proverbs 26:13-16
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Get a job!
Learn to work!
Save 80% of each paycheck.
Set goals in this area.
6. Relationships
Ephesians 6:1-3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Don’t date as a teenager.
Enjoy your family!
Enjoy your friends at church!
