Looking Inward: Making Time for God and Learning True Self-Love

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” — Psalm 139:23

Outside Looking In

Ask everyone to imagine they are watching their own life from the outside.

Questions:

• What would someone notice about how I spend my time?
• What appears most important to me?
• Would they know God is a priority in my life?
• What consumes most of my thoughts?

Part 1: What Is True Self-Love?

Many people think self-love means putting themselves first.

Biblical self-love means:

• Seeing yourself as God sees you.
• Caring for your spiritual health.
• Setting healthy boundaries.
• Knowing your worth comes from Christ.

Ask:

• Am I loving myself in a way that draws me closer to God or farther from Him?

Scripture:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Mark 12:31

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Healthy self-love includes nurturing your relationship with God.

Part 2: Stepping Back and Looking Inward

Read Lamentations 3:40:

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”

Discussion:

• When was the last time I truly evaluated my spiritual life?
• Am I growing closer to God or simply staying busy?
• What distractions have become more important than my time with Him?

Part 3: How Much Time Are We Really Giving God?

This is the heart of the lesson.

Ask participants to estimate:

• Time spent on social media each day.
• Time spent watching television.
• Time spent scrolling on their phone.
• Time spent with God through prayer, worship, Bible study, or quiet listening.

Reflection Question:
If my schedule revealed my priorities, what would it say about my relationship with God?

Scripture:

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” — Matthew 6:33

This isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness.

God wants relationship, not obligation.

Part 4: Heart Check

Provide these questions:

1. What currently gets the best of my energy?
2. What keeps me from spending time with God?
3. Am I making excuses or making room?
4. What would change if I gave God my first moments instead of my leftover moments?
5. Is there anything God is asking me to surrender?

Challenge for the Week

Have participants commit to:

• 10 minutes of prayer each morning.
• Reading one chapter of Scripture daily.
• Five minutes of quiet listening before bed.
• Writing down one thing God teaches them each day.