Teens and Time Management by Ellen Castillo

It is common for teenagers to struggle with stress. Many factors contribute to stress, including poor time
management. This issue is amplified as of late 2020 due to how many teens who previously attended in-
person classes are now doing their schoolwork online. The structures put in place in traditional schools are
not always applicable to school at home. However, these are not the only teens struggling with time
management. It is common to many.
There are a few things to consider when helping teens with time management.

Managing Time
It’s helpful to dig a little deeper into time management problems. One way to do that is to define what is
really going on with the teen. Is it procrastination? Is it a distraction, or just wasting time? Is there a lack of
self-discipline in any other areas of life? Is it laziness? Is there willful disobedience?
Going even deeper, are there apparent reasons for poor time management? For example, procrastination
might be a clue that there is a fear of failure. Or, distraction might be due to boredom and not being
challenged enough. Laziness can be a result of depression or illness. There are all kinds of reasons behind
the presenting behaviors and problems, and spending time with the teenager can reveal these things.
Observable behaviors are evidence of a deeper struggle. God’s Word directs us beyond the surface, to the
heart.
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for  from it flow  the springs of life” (Prov. 4:23).
The Bible commends hard work (see Prov. 12:24; 13:4) and warns against laziness (see Prov. 15:19; 18:9).
One cure for procrastination is self-discipline. A Christian should be motivated to be diligent in his work
since he is ultimately serving the Lord.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for
men” (Col. 3:23).
If we put our hearts into our work, as this verse says, we will likely find it easier to manage our time well.
Adults can and should model this for teens. They can also relate to the struggle!

In Light of Eternity
Many teenagers do not have an eternal perspective. An eternal perspective puts importance on how we
use our time. As you work with teens, you can incorporate this perspective into your discussions about
time management. Considering how many adults also struggle with time, these discussions are relatable
teaching opportunities to share gospel truth. Regardless of how our sinful hearts take us down time-
wasting paths, Jesus forgives. He also empowers us, by His grace, to change. When a teen gives up in
frustration, further developing habitual poor time-management, God’s Word can intervene and motivate
change.
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For  you are a
mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14).
Moses prays, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). One way to
gain wisdom is to learn to live with an eternal perspective. Wisdom helps in all areas of life, including how
we utilize our time. Teach teenagers about this through modeling and counsel.

Stewarding Time
There are natural consequences for poor time management. When a child is late, he misses out on things.
When she doesn’t get schoolwork done, she gets bad grades. These natural consequences often seem to
work better for younger children than they do for teenagers. As teens begin to transition towards
adulthood, they are motivated less by natural consequences and more by their self-focused desires. This
can bring more serious consequences, especially if a teen has not put some self-discipline and strategies in
place.
Time management is time stewardship. How we spend our time requires wisdom to make the most of our
days and carefully use our time. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul cautioned the saints to “Be very careful,
then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are
evil” (Eph. 5:15-16).
Prioritizing is a challenge for all of us, but teens especially tend to struggle with discerning where their
priorities are problematic. There are many responsibilities and pressures from the world that pull teens in
different directions. Things that have eternal value easily get pushed aside. It is helpful to give a teenager
practical, hands-on methods and tools for prioritizing and setting goals.
Tools that can be encouraged are calendars, planners, schedules, notes, and lists. These are found digitally
or in paper form. There are items specifically designed for teenagers, easily found by doing a quick google
search. For visually-motivated teens, tools like this are beneficial.
Tools and methods like these help teenagers to develop a good work ethic. It is a way to help set
themselves up for success and good time management, which often decreases stress.

Balancing Time
Some young people do not have a proper balance between work and real rest. Teens should be
encouraged to work diligently at home, in school, and on the job. The primary focus in all that they do
should be the glory of God.
“And  whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus,  giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17).
Rest is a legitimate and necessary use of time. We must be careful not to misguide teens about balancing
work and rest because a teenager can too easily make time management into an idol or a legalistic way of
attempting to earn favor with the Lord. When young people neglect the refreshment God gives through
times of rest, they become exhausted. Rest is not wasted time; it is a necessary blessing that prepares us
to make better use of time moving forward. Rest also reminds us that ultimately God is in control and
provides for our every need.
Most importantly, we all need to schedule regular, daily time with God. It is He who equips us to carry out
the schedule He has given us. We should not manage our time as if it belongs to us. Time belongs to Him,
so let’s teach teens to ask for His wisdom in how to best manage their time.

Questions for Reflection

1.What are your struggles with time management? Are you able to be transparent about them with teenagers that you are
helping?
2.What other things have you found helpful for time management for yourself or teenagers as you engage with them?