EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – How to Build Your Life on God’s Word – Session 3

Date: October 30, 2022

Study God’s Word

The Point: Regular study of God’s Word keeps us firmly grounded.

Get Into the Study

Use the following information to introduce Question #1.

On May 28, Steven Goodhart graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. What makes Goodhart unusual is that he is 80 years old and was the oldest student graduating from the university in the spring ceremony. This is Goodhart’s third degree. He has already received two degrees from Penn State — a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1964 and a master of engineering science in 1970. Goodhart spent most of his career working at the Philadelphia Naval Yard before retiring and deciding to return to college. Goodhart’s professors at the University of Delaware praised his dedication and eagerness to learn. “I wanted to go back and study the humanities and learn the things I had no exposure to as an engineering student,” said Goodhart. “I also was very interested in criminal justice and wanted to discover more about this field.”   

Say: Life-long learner Steven Goodhart shows us that age is no barrier to learning new things. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you really enjoyed learning something?) and invite volunteers to respond.

Information for this post was gleaned from:

https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2022/06/07/80-year-old-graduates-university-of-delaware-oldest-member-class-2022-steven-goodhart/7502685001/

Study the Bible

Use the following information to introduce Question #2.

Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the American Time Use Survey. This study measures the amount of time people spend doing various activities. The statistics released this past June reflect data collected for 2021. Here’s how Americans spent their leisure time:



* On an aerage day, the majority of Americans over the age of 15 engaged in some kind of leisure and sport activity (watching tv, socializing, exercising). Men spent 5.6 hours a day on leisure and sport activity. Women spent 4.9 hours a day.

* Watching television is the most popular leisure and sport activity. On an average day, Americans spend 2.9 hours watching television.

* On an average day, Americans age 75 and older read for 41 minutes. People ages 15 to 44 averaged reading 10 minutes a day or less.

* On an average day, Americans spend 34 minutes playing games and using a computer for leisure.

* On an average day, Americans spend 34 minutes socializing and communicating (such as visiting with friends or attending a social event).

* On an average day, Americans spend over an hour participating in sports, exercise, or recreation. For men, it is 1.7 hours a day. For women it is 1.2 hours.



Say: The statistics show that many Americans find time for a variety of leisure and sport activities each day. These activities might be productive and healthy ways to spend our time. But we all have a limited number of hours in the day. Since we can’t “do it all,” we have to makes some choices about how we spend our time. For example, we choose whether or not to make time each day for studying God’s Word. Then call attention to Question #2 (What might get in the way of regularly studying God’s Word?) and invite volunteers to respond.

Information for this post was gleaned from: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.nr0.htm

Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras.