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Finding Fruitful Time in the Word as a Teaching Pastor

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3–5 minutes

How to Balance Study Time and Personal Devotions

As a teaching pastor, the Word of God is central to your calling. Balancing time in Scripture for sermon preparation with personal spiritual growth can be challenging. Without intentionality, your time in the Word can become solely about preparing for Sunday, leaving little room for personal renewal. In this article, we’ll explore how to create focused time in Scripture for both teaching and personal growth—and how the two can enrich each other without becoming interchangeable.

1. Separate Study for Sundays from Personal Devotions

One of the most important steps to maintaining a healthy relationship with Scripture is setting clear boundaries between study for teaching and study for personal spiritual growth.

Sermon Preparation

Sermon preparation is work. It involves exegesis, theological reflection, and crafting a message that will edify your congregation. While deeply spiritual, it’s a task oriented toward others.

  • Approach: Treat sermon preparation like a craftsman honing a tool. Focus on interpreting the text, understanding the historical and cultural context, and applying it to your congregation.
  • Time: Block out specific hours for sermon prep during your workweek to ensure you’re giving the task its due diligence.

Personal Devotion

Personal devotion, on the other hand, is about your relationship with God. It’s time to rest in His presence, hear from Him, and be transformed by His Word.

  • Approach: Engage with Scripture in a way that nourishes your soul. This might include reading a devotional passage, meditating on a Psalm, or journaling your thoughts and prayers.
  • Time: Dedicate a daily time—separate from sermon prep—when you can approach Scripture without an agenda. Early mornings or evenings often work well.

2. Cultivate Rhythms for Personal Study

Establishing consistent habits is key to making time in the Word a priority for your own spiritual health.

Prioritize Personal Growth

Schedule your devotional time as immovably as your sermon prep. Block it on your calendar, and protect it from encroaching tasks or interruptions.

Use a Plan

Choose a Bible reading plan or devotional guide to keep your study focused and systematic. This removes the pressure of deciding where to read each day and ensures you’re engaging with the full breadth of Scripture.

Practice Depth

Slow down and take time to reflect on the passage. Use tools like journaling, prayer, or Scripture memorization to internalize the Word.

3. Embrace the Crossover Without Losing the Distinction

While it’s vital to keep sermon prep and personal study distinct, there’s no denying that the two often enrich each other. Here’s how to embrace that crossover without blurring the lines:

Personal Growth That Informs Sermon Prep

Your personal time in the Word often overflows into your teaching. A Scripture you meditated on during the week might find its way into a sermon illustration, or a personal insight might add depth to your exegesis.

  • How to Manage: Jot down any insights that feel sermon-worthy during personal devotions, but don’t let them derail your devotional time. You can revisit these notes during your sermon prep.

Sermon Prep That Nourishes You

While sermon prep is work, it doesn’t have to be devoid of personal growth. Scripture is living and active, and the truths you uncover for your congregation often minister to your heart as well.

  • How to Manage: Pause occasionally during sermon prep to reflect on how the passage applies to your life. Let God speak to you personally before you speak to your congregation.

4. Set Boundaries to Avoid Burnout

Teaching pastors are often stretched thin, with countless demands on their time. Protecting your focused time in the Word requires intentional boundaries:

  • Limit Distractions: Turn off your phone or other devices during your devotional time to focus fully on God.
  • Delegate Ministry Tasks: Empower others in your church to share responsibilities, freeing you up for the study of Scripture.
  • Say No to Overcommitment: Guard your time by carefully choosing where to invest your energy.

5. Seek Accountability and Community

Accountability can help you stay consistent in prioritizing both types of study. Share your goals with a trusted mentor, spouse, or colleague, and invite them to check in with you. Additionally, engaging in a small group or Bible study with peers can provide fresh insights and keep your personal study vibrant.

6. Trust God with the Results

Ultimately, your time in the Word—whether for personal growth or sermon preparation—should lead you to a deeper reliance on God. Trust Him to use both avenues to shape you into a faithful servant and to bless your congregation through your ministry.

Conclusion

As a teaching pastor, focused time in the Word is essential for both your personal relationship with God and your role as a spiritual leader. By creating boundaries, cultivating rhythms, and allowing room for crossover, you can thrive in your ministry without neglecting your own spiritual health. Remember, a well-fed pastor leads a well-fed congregation. Invest in your time with God, and watch how He uses it to transform both your life and your ministry.