Staying Focused: Navigating Ministry with Intentionality and Rest

 

Summary

As we approach the end of the school year and the busyness of ministry, it’s easy to feel the weight of exhaustion, overcommitment, and the constant demands on our time. Many of us resonate with the challenges of managing our responsibilities, maintaining focus, and guarding our hearts in the midst of it all. Proverbs 4 offers us a roadmap for navigating these pressures: “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” These verses call us to a life of intentional focus, practical planning, and vigilance against distraction.

First, we must continually realign our focus on Jesus. Our identity is not found in our roles, our accomplishments, or the size of our ministries, but in Christ alone. When our eyes drift from Him—when frustration, comparison, or routine take over—we lose sight of what truly matters. It’s essential to recognize the signs of a wandering focus and to cultivate rhythms and relationships that draw us back to the heart of God.

Second, intentional planning is not just a productivity hack; it’s a spiritual discipline. Managing our time well honors God and enables us to steward our callings faithfully. This means using tools like calendars and to-do lists, setting aside time for weekly review and planning, and prioritizing the “big rocks” in our lives—those things that matter most, like our relationship with God, our families, and our primary ministry responsibilities. Breaking large tasks into smaller, actionable steps and scheduling them helps us avoid last-minute stress and ensures we’re investing our energy where it counts.

Third, delegation is both an act of humility and a means of empowering the body of Christ. We are not called to do everything ourselves. By identifying what only we can do, what drains us, and what others might do better, we create space for others to use their gifts and for ourselves to focus on what matters most. Training, clear communication, and a willingness to let go are key to healthy delegation.

Finally, we must be ruthless in eliminating distractions and intentional about rest. This includes setting boundaries with technology, giving ourselves permission to enjoy life, and practicing both big and small Sabbaths. Fun and rest are not luxuries—they are vital for sustaining long-term faithfulness and joy in ministry.

Key Takeaways

- Focus on Jesus as the Center of Identity and Ministry
When life gets busy and pressures mount, it’s easy to let our focus drift from Christ to our circumstances, roles, or the approval of others. Our identity is rooted in Jesus, not in our performance or position. Regularly returning to this truth—through prayer, scripture, and honest self-reflection—anchors us and keeps our hearts aligned with what matters most. [08:49]

- Recognize the Signs of Drifting Focus and Build Rhythms of Renewal
Emotional cues like frustration, comparison, or going through the motions can signal that our focus is off. Knowing our personal “tells” helps us catch ourselves before we spiral into burnout or discouragement. Building in practices like Sabbath, vulnerability with trusted friends, and time in the Psalms or prayer can recalibrate our hearts and restore our passion for God and people. [15:52]

- Intentional Planning is a Spiritual Discipline, Not Just a Productivity Tool
Managing time with calendars, to-do lists, and regular planning sessions is not about control, but about stewardship. By identifying our “big rocks” and breaking down large tasks into manageable steps, we honor God with our time and energy. This intentionality frees us to say “no” to lesser things and “yes” to what God has truly called us to do. [32:07]

- Delegation Empowers Others and Frees Us for What Matters Most
Trying to do everything ourselves leads to exhaustion and robs others of the opportunity to serve and grow. Honest self-evaluation—knowing what only we can do, what drains us, and what others might do better—enables healthy delegation. Training, clear expectations, and releasing control are essential for multiplying ministry and building up the body of Christ. [48:55]

- Rest and Enjoyment are Essential for Sustained Faithfulness
We are not defined by our productivity. God invites us to Sabbath, to enjoy life, and to set boundaries that protect our well-being. Whether it’s deleting distracting apps, setting a nightly cutoff, or simply having fun, these practices remind us that our value is in Christ, not in what we produce. Rest is a declaration of trust in God’s sufficiency and a safeguard against burnout. [59:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction and Setting the Stage
[01:23] - The Reality of Tiredness and Ministry Demands
[02:22] - Survey: Pastoral Needs and Overcommitment
[04:13] - Guarding Your Heart: Proverbs 4
[06:48] - The Call to Focus on Jesus
[10:46] - Recognizing Signs of Drifting Focus
[16:19] - Practices That Restore Focus
[21:43] - Making a Plan: Intentional Time Management
[25:43] - Tools and Systems for Organization
[29:00] - Weekly Review and Planning
[32:07] - Prioritizing the “Big Rocks”
[36:14] - Breaking Down Tasks and Saying No
[37:21] - Time Management Hacks and Best Practices
[45:00] - The Power and Practice of Delegation
[49:25] - Evaluating and Empowering Others
[56:38] - Avoiding Distractions and Embracing Rest
[59:43] - Sabbath, Fun, and Boundaries
[01:00:53] - Closing Encouragement and Prayer

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Guarding Your Heart and Staying Focused

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### Bible Reading

Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV)
> Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Proverbs 4:25-27, what are the specific actions we are told to take in order to guard our hearts and avoid evil?
2. In the sermon, what are some of the “signs” mentioned that show when someone’s focus is drifting away from Jesus? [[10:46]]
3. What practical tools or habits did the speaker recommend for managing time and responsibilities well? [[25:43]]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between rest, enjoyment, and our identity in Christ? [[58:02]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Proverbs 4 emphasizes looking “straight ahead” and not turning to the right or left? What does this look like in the context of busy ministry or life? [[04:28]]
2. The sermon says that intentional planning is a spiritual discipline, not just a productivity hack. Why might God care about how we plan and use our time? [[25:43]]
3. The speaker talks about delegation as an act of humility and a way to empower others. How does this reflect the way God designed the church to function? [[48:55]]
4. Rest and fun are described as essential, not optional. Why is it so hard for people in ministry (or anyone) to believe this? What does it say about our trust in God? [[59:43]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to recognize when our focus is drifting from Jesus. What are your personal “tells” or warning signs that you’re losing focus? How can you catch yourself earlier next time? [[10:46]]
2. Think about your current weekly schedule. What are your “big rocks”—the most important things God is calling you to prioritize? Are they actually getting your best time and energy? If not, what needs to change? [[32:07]]
3. What is one practical step you can take this week to improve your time management—whether it’s using a calendar, breaking down a big task, or setting aside time for planning? [[29:00]]
4. Is there a responsibility or task you’re holding onto that someone else could do (maybe even better)? What’s stopping you from delegating it? How could you take a step toward letting go and empowering someone else? [[48:55]]
5. The sermon encourages setting boundaries with technology and distractions. Is there an app, habit, or routine that’s stealing your focus or time? What would it look like to set a new boundary this week? [[57:04]]
6. How are you practicing Sabbath or rest right now? Is there a small or big way you could be more intentional about rest and enjoyment, trusting that your value isn’t in your productivity? [[59:43]]
7. Who in your life helps you realign your focus on Jesus when you’re off track? How can you invite more honest feedback or support from them this month? [[16:19]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you fix your eyes on Jesus, to give you wisdom in planning and stewarding your time, to show you where to delegate, and to help you rest in His sufficiency.

Devotional

Day 1: Guarding Your Heart: The Foundation of Spiritual Health
Guarding your heart is the wellspring from which all of life flows, shaping your actions, attitudes, and spiritual vitality. When you intentionally protect your heart, you are not just avoiding sin but nurturing the source of your motivations, relationships, and ministry. This means being aware of what you allow to influence you—your thoughts, your focus, and your emotional responses. When you notice frustration, comparison, or spiritual autopilot creeping in, it’s a sign to pause and realign your heart with God’s truth and love. Guarding your heart is not a passive act; it requires vigilance, honesty, and a willingness to address the subtle shifts that can lead you away from your true purpose. [04:13]

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Reflection: What is one “tell” in your life that signals your heart is drifting from God’s priorities, and how can you address it today?


Day 2: Focused on Jesus: Setting Your Gaze on What Matters Most
What you focus on determines your reality; when your eyes are fixed on Jesus, everything else falls into its proper place. Distractions, frustrations, and the pressures of ministry can easily shift your attention to lesser things, but returning your gaze to Christ re-centers your identity and purpose. Your value is not found in your role, your productivity, or the approval of others, but in the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Regular reminders—through prayer, Scripture, and community—help you keep Jesus at the center, especially when life gets busy or overwhelming. [08:49]

Philippians 3:7-9 (ESV)
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can re-focus your attention on Jesus today, especially when you notice your mind drifting to stress or comparison?


Day 3: Making a Plan: Intentionality in Time and Priorities
Intentional planning transforms vision into action, helping you steward your time, energy, and responsibilities with wisdom. Nothing good happens automatically; it takes careful thought, practical tools, and a willingness to prioritize what matters most. Using a calendar and a to-do list, breaking big tasks into smaller steps, and scheduling regular times to review your week are essential habits for living purposefully. When you put the “big rocks” in first—your relationship with God, family, rest, and key ministry responsibilities—everything else can fit around them, and you gain the freedom to say no to lesser things. [32:07]

Proverbs 4:26 (ESV)
Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.

Reflection: What is one “big rock” you need to prioritize this week, and how will you intentionally schedule time for it?


Day 4: Delegation and Empowerment: Freeing Yourself and Others
Delegation is not just about freeing up your own time; it’s about empowering others to use their gifts and share in the work of ministry. When you try to do everything yourself, you risk burnout and rob others of the opportunity to grow and serve. Honest self-evaluation helps you identify what only you must do, what drains you, and what others might do even better. Training, clear expectations, and ongoing support are key to successful delegation, and trusting God to work through others brings fruitfulness and joy to the whole community. [49:11]

Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

Reflection: What is one responsibility you can delegate this week, and who might be gifted to take it on?


Day 5: Avoiding Distractions and Embracing Rest
Staying on course requires you to actively avoid distractions and embrace rhythms of rest and enjoyment. It’s easy to let time-sucking habits, unnecessary tasks, or the pressure to always be productive pull you away from what matters most. Setting boundaries—like deleting distracting apps, scheduling Sabbath, and making space for fun—reminds you that your identity is not in what you produce but in being loved by God. Both big and small Sabbaths are vital for your soul, giving you permission to recharge and delight in God’s good gifts. [59:43]

Proverbs 4:27 (ESV)
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Reflection: What is one distraction you need to remove or one restful practice you can add to your day to help you stay focused and refreshed?

Quotes

There is a lot of time management within all of these things. How do I fit everything I have to do within the time that I have to do? Um and on top of that the stresses that come from that. A couple weeks ago, uh, Bishop Dudenhoffer talked to us about tending the tree and read from Proverbs 4. So, above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it. Uh, so I was um looking at uh Luke's notes and just kind of thinking through what to talk about today and my mind went to actually just a couple verses after this verse. Uh, let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to your paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to your the right or the left. Keep your foot from evil. [00:03:49]

And really to me, when you look at this whole section at the end of Proverbs 4, it's all one big thing. Like they're all one topic here. Like if it's we're supposed to um guard our heart, what the rest of these verses are doing are helping us. How do we guard our heart? what are the different things that we do implement what live through in order to do that and so um talking to Josiah just about today and kind of different things to talk about and just kind of things on my own heart this is going to be part two of Luke's talk and so u he gave you the really good stuff I'm going to give you the second rate more practical stuff so this is practical ways to guard your heart and I want to look at those three verses today within the time we have and I want to just tell you right now we're going talk about being focused, making a plan, and avoiding distractions. Uh because that's what these three verses I think are really pointing on. [00:04:45]

Let your eyes look straight ahead. fix your gaze directly before you. Uh Derek Ker in her his commentary on this verse he says with the steady aim minor decisions of are governed by the ultimate goal. And really the idea of that is um how what you are focused on what we're what's primary what's most important influences everything. Um yesterday as many of you know or at least I hope you do yesterday was Star Wars day and so uh quoting from the great theologian Quigon Jinn he said your focus determines your reality. Um and that's exactly what this verse is talking about though that what you are focused on influences your reality. And so what is most important influences all the small things. [00:06:50]

Everything that we do is not about New Life Community Church. Everything that we do is about Jesus. Yeah. That's not a criticism. That's not a negative. That's a reality that we have to be aligned on and focused on. It's all about Jesus. It's everything is about him. It's it's why we do communion is because we continually forget what is most important and we need to be brought back to be reminded of what is most important. Our identity is in him. Our identity is not in our position as pastors. Our identity is him. Our our identity is not based on how big or small our location is or how many people will or won't get baptized or how good or bad our kids are doing or fill in the blank with the different things that we put value on. Our identity is in the Lord. [00:08:22]

And again, there's such a basic reality to that. Um but we all wander and we all forget. And I think that when things get the busiest is when we lose sight of what's most important and because we our eyes get taken off of Jesus onto the trial, the the situation, the challenge, the annoying person or whatever it is and we start allowing that to be our focus and then we if we're focusing on the hard thing that becomes our reality and we start acting different than we ought. And so we just need that regular reminder that Jesus is everything. And again, we know that probably preached on that at some point in the last 24 hours or a few weeks. [00:09:11]

I think you again as much as we have to know our tells when we're getting off focus, we have to know the things that fill us and again and it comes back to reminding ourselves about the goodness and greatness and love of Jesus and how much we need to be reminded of that where it's not just task, it's not just sermon prep, it's not just whatever the pastoral duties are, it's he loves me as much as I tell people that he loves them. Yeah. And so we just we need to have those moments where we're reminded of that. And again, for for some it might be, you know, the just kind of going for a walk. For some it might be reading scripture. For others it might be having somebody get in your face. But we we need to do what we need to we need to give ourselves permission and we need to be responsible to remind ourselves what's most important that our identity is in the Lord and do the things that keep us focused on that. [00:21:02]

The succession of steps by which vision is turned into action demands practical planning. Um, nothing happens just automatic. Nothing good happens just automatically. U, it takes planning. It takes work. Um, my son just started taking guitar lessons this January and I keep telling him, you just have to intentionally do it. You have to stick at it. You have to put in the work and you have to figure out when you're going to do it and put in the work. You're not just going to automatically be slash um, as much as he wants. And so there's something about that intentionality. And so the the steps that we take demand planning. [00:22:00]

Someone who can't manage their time is either doing too much or isn't being intentional. Now we all have different capacities for what we can handle the different how much we can do uh different things like that and we should never compare that to one another. God has given us a capacity. God's given us the abilities. God's given us opportunities. And you know to Zach's point, we don't want to compare ourselves with other people. But regardless of what we are responsible for and what we have before us, we are responsible for how we manage that and how we go about that. And so we have to be intentional with how we manage our time and and utilize the amount of time that we do have. [00:23:24]

The number one question that I get asked probably just like lifetime things is Bobby, how in the world do you manage your time with everything that you have to do? Um, and so I'm not in any sense an expert at this. I have probably can line up people around the block for people who would tell you I've dropped the ball on things, but this I I would not be the only way that I can do the things I do is because I manage my time and I'm very intentional with it. And so to that point, I want to talk about that a little bit. So, if we're going to make a plan, you have to intentionally manage your time. The most basic level of that, you have to use a calendar and you have to use a to-do list. [00:25:05]

If you are not if you do not have a calendar and you do not have a to-do list, both of them, this is the most basic reality. So, you have to grab one. Get one. If you need suggestions on that, come and see me. If you need help picking out a notebook or something, see Lucer Paco. You need to have some type of calendar and to do things. A five year fiveyear appointment plan. That's even stop embarrassing me in front of my friends. Um, now that's about as basic as it gets. Um, for for my some of this, again, there's nothing new under the sun. Like I'm a Stephven CVY guy. So some of this, if you've never read seven habits of highly effective people, read seven habits of highly effective people. [00:27:54]

The thing that's been the one of the biggest helps to me, and I just got done talking to my college students about this, is having a scheduled weekly review and planning time. So, for me, that usually happens Sunday night. If not, if it can't happen Sunday night, then it's Monday morning before whatever meeting we're having. And the whole purpose of that is to say, okay, what's coming up? Mhm. And I look at the next week. I look at the next month. And then I look at the next quarter. I I personally don't go a whole lot beyond that because as many as you know they're I mean I'm not against fiveyear plans. I'm not against one year plans, but I've done enough of this to know that I can make all those plans and in six months they're all going to get thrown out the door anyway. [00:28:54]

If you don't have time for a date night with your wife, it's because you haven't prioritized that above everything else. If you don't have time for a Sabbath just to chill and not do stuff, it's because you haven't prioritized that. When we have that checkin, we can prioritize things. I'm putting stuff in where it's going to go and everything else is going to work around that. Does that make sense? Mhm. But then the other thing within that time is trying to break the big things up into smaller things and then scheduling when and how things get done. [00:32:28]

Typically, we only think about the goal and we don't think about how we're going to accomplish the goal. And so to me, if I you have to look this is to me it's like kind of project management. Every big thing that I have to do, how do I break that up into smaller things? So like the students like they have this big paper that I give them. I don't apologize for how hard it is. It's about 10 to 12 pages single space. You're in college. Deal with it. This is going to be great. Yeah, it's not bad, right? Thank you. Um but I said, but let's think about what this is involved. You have to do your basic observation and analytical personal work. You have to get commentaries. You have to read the commentaries. You have to write a first draft. You have to edit that draft. So there's five steps. when are you going to schedule those five steps over the next six weeks to get that paper done by that date? [00:34:28]

And I think that many and then and also with by doing that, you're able to see when you are scheduling your life when you're going to do things, what you need to do, and when you're going to do it, you're it's easier and you're empowered to then say no to somebody. Yeah, I'm not able to do that. It might be really important, but you just might not be the person to do it because you have other priorities that you've identified and you've put in your life. Yeah. Again, too often we say yes to so many things because we don't realize the important things in our life or we're not identifying and really focusing on those important things. [00:36:10]

We feel the pressure to do it all. We enjoy the praise of completed tasks. we'll complain about how much it takes to do them, but then we like the endorphins of finishing it or somebody saying, "Good job. That was awesome." Um, we have poor time management, but we've already fixed that one, so we're not going to deal with that anymore. But probably the thing we have to be honest about is we have control issues. And so, uh, I know I don't even have to ask you for hands. I know it would be unanimous. How many times have any of us I'm just going to do it because I can do it better and I know how it'll get done. And again, when we do those things, we're creating more problems for ourself. [00:46:07]

I think that if we learn more and more about the gifting in our teams and the gifting in our um locations, we will see that there are plenty of people that can do things that yes, we could do it, but they would do it better. And we rob different we rob the saints of being used by God and experiencing that by just hoarding all of the things that need to be done. So as long as well as eval and I'll give these slides up just trying to get through um as as well as evaluating ourselves I think that for delegation we also have to evaluate our congregation um for and by that some ideas I thought for that one is asking others who is capable so the people that you do knew do do know the people that you um are familiar with and have relationship with if there's something that needs to get done just asking the basic area. Who are other people that I could give this to? [00:48:58]

We got to trust him first, that he's doing the work, not us. And I always see that, you know, like we got to trust that whatever we're doing, you're given the tools to do it. Be organized, have a good plan, manage your time, and then just trust that he's going to make it work because even our failures are part of that plan. It's good. One thing that really helped me was the things that drain me. I like a year and a half ago wrote down a list. There's like five things that just drain me. I was just telling Chad like planning center putting that in. I just I don't know. But then I felt bad giving it to someone because I thought this is uh I don't want to put this on someone else because I hate this. It's like really mean of me to be like, "Hey Chad, thanks for being my office manager. Now you got to do the really sucky tasks. But a game changer for me was understanding then that my office manager loved doing that and she was really gifted at that. And so I guess it was helpful and maybe if that's helpful for someone is what drains me doesn't mean that it's going to drain someone else. They actually find life in it. And finding those people and giving them tasks is really important for delegation and not getting stuck on thinking like no one will want to do this. [00:54:23]

Do not turn to the right or the left. Keep your foot from evil. Um, just some popcorn suggestions on not being distracted because this is like the flip of being focused. Some of you have maybe even mentioned this, but you have to delete the apps that distract. Amen. Um, and so I do not have Facebook on my phone because I would it would be a time suck. You know, the things that you know you you know what it is. Yeah. And I'm not and I'm not talking I mean these need to be deleted too. I'm not talking about what's the one with the deep temptation for your life. I'm talking about what's takes up all your time. If that app is taking up more time than you should be that you should be putting into other things, delete that app. game, phone, social media, whatever that might be. [00:56:48]

Give yourself permission to have fun. Um, I think as pastors, we don't always do this enough and in ministry because we feel like we have to be winning souls 24/7. Um, we do, but there's a point where we have to recharge. Yeah. And we are um it it was the slaves in Exodus that were their value was determined by what they were producing. Yeah. and they were freed from that. Our identity is not in what we produce. Our identity is in Jesus. And so there has to be a point where we Sabbath, which means we're not trying to produce. We're just enjoying life. Um and so Mike Akenelli, some of you know who that is. He said at one point, um the most spiritual thing that some of us can do is take a nap because by doing so, we acknowledge the world will go on without us. [00:57:41]

The thing our life group just went through Ecclesiastes and the thing I loved about Ecclesiastes is it tells us work hard and do your work to the glory of God and enjoy life for the glory of God. Enjoy just don't enjoy it like an idiot but enjoy life. And we need to give ourselves permission to enjoy life. Last I last night I mean again you guys know me long enough the nerd that I am. I bought a Star Wars Lego set and at nine o'clock I put my sci-fi audio book in. I told my kids to leave me alone and I sat there for three hours and I enjoyed myself and it was beautiful. It was great. You might think that that's stupid. I don't care. That was my thing. Some of you want to know what the Lego set was. Others, whatever your thing is, you need to find that and add it to your life and just have fun for a little bit. [00:59:00]

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Transcript
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