DILIGENCE
The PDF of this Lesson...
With a Game (in Various PDFs), the Quiz, and Verses to Memorize
Doing
your very best no matter what you are doing.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…Ecclesiastes 9:10
When you walk into a dark room at night and flip the light switch, instantly you can see where you are going. It hasn’t always been that way. Many men and women have worked hard to develop the system of lights and electricity that we enjoy today.
The one-person people remember the most in that process would be Thomas Edison. He didn’t invent the first light bulb, but he and a group of scientists at Menlo Park, NJ, perfected it so that it could be useful in everyday life. The process wasn’t easy, though. For two years, these workers tried 3000 different ways and tested 6000 different materials until they finally came up with a light bulb that would last.
Thomas Edison was DILIGENT in his inventing. He worked very hard to achieve his goals. He said, “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” In other words, what gave him success was diligent, hard work. He also said that many people fail because they give up too soon.
DILIGENT IN OUR WORK
God wants us to be diligent in our work too. Our verse above tells us that when we have something to do, we should do it with all of our might. Do you hurry through your chores so that you can watch TV or play video games? Do you shove things under your bed and stuff things into your closet when you clean your room so that you can say that you are done? Are you sloppy and careless when you do your homework so that you can go play? This is not being diligent.
Not doing your best and hurrying through jobs may be a habit that follows you into adulthood. Doing your best now will 1) Give you a sense of pride in your work, 2) establish good habits for your lifetime, and 3) most importantly, it will PLEASE GOD. We should always do our best for Him. Ephesians 6:7 tells us that we should do every job as if we were doing it for God.
DILIGENT IN OUR WALK
At many railroad crossings you will find a sign that says, “STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN.” These words can be applied to our Christian walk or life, too.
First, we should STOP bad things from coming into our minds and hearts.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23
The Bible also tells us that we will behave like what we think and that we should only think about things that are pure and holy, pleasing to God. Bad things get into our minds through our eyes and ears. They are the gates to our heart. Be careful what you look at and listen to.
Second, we need to LOOK to God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God rewards those who seek Him. Do you talk to God each day and acknowledge Him in each of your activities? Do you read the Bible so that you will get to know Him better and talk to Him in prayer?
Finally, we need to LISTEN to God’s Word. That means we should obey what God says. If we do, He promises to bless us and to help us succeed in life. This doesn’t mean we won’t have problems, but we will have God’s peace in troubled times. God made us and He knows what’s best for us. We are wise if we listen to Him and do what He says.
DILIGENT IN OUR WORSHIP
A Psalm of David.
I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart;
I will show forth all thy marvellous works.
Psalm 9:1
We have lots to praise God for. He created us, and He keeps us each day. He loved us so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins. He is preparing a wonderful place called heaven for those who ask Jesus to forgive their sins and save them.
SOME THINGS ABOUT PRAISE AND WORSHIP…
- The Bible tells us that God is worthy of our praise. He deserves it. We should tell Him how great He is and thank Him for all He has done for us.
- We can praise God anywhere – you don’t have to be in a church.
- We can praise God anytime – it doesn’t have to be on Sunday.
- God is pleased with our worship.
CONCLUSION
Do you do your best in everything you do? God wants you to be diligent in your WORK, WALK, and WORSHIP. Do your best, as if you were doing it for the Lord, and you will be a success.
Curriculum by: Mark Redka (CBM)