What is a Quiet Time? A quiet time is a daily time set aside to be alone with God to get to know Him better through study and .

The objective of your quiet time is not to study about God, but to actually spend time with Him!

The Importance Your time alone with God should be the top priority in your schedule for these reasons:

• We were created to have fellowship with God. Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

• died to make a relationship with God possible. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9

• Personal time alone with God was Jesus’ source of strength. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

• Every person who has been effective in service for God, developed the habit of spending time with God. (Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Paul)

• You cannot be a healthy Christian without it! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9

The Purpose • To Give Devotion TO God Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. Psalm 29:2

• To Get Direction FROM God Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4

• To Gain Delight IN God You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

• To Grow more like God His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

©Jacqueline C. Heider 2014

The Plan

1. Select a specific time that you can keep consistently. The best time for me to have a quiet time is: ______. Whatever time you set, make it a priority.

HOW LONG SHOULD QUIET TIME BE? • Start with a few minutes and allow your time to grow. • Don’t keep track of your time - don’t watch the clock! • Emphasize quality, not quantity! • Remember, any time with God is better than no time.

2. Choose a special place Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

3. Gather the resources you’ll need Bible Ÿ notebook Ÿ pen/highlighter

4. Begin with the right attitude Reverence Ÿ Expectancy Ÿ Obedience

5. Follow a simple plan you can keep Fifteen Minutes with God (a plan to get you started) • Relax (1 Minute) – Be still and be quiet! Slow down! Prepare your heart. Take a few deep breaths and wait on God. • Read (4 Minutes) – Begin reading where you left off the day before. Read until you feel God has told you something. Then stop and think about it. • Reflect (4 Minutes) – Try using the 6 methods of . Think about what the passage means to your life. Write down your thoughts. • Record (2 Minutes) – Write out a personal application statement that is practical, possible, and measurable. • Request (4 Minutes) – Conclude your Quiet Time by talking to God about what He has shown you and making your requests from your prayer list • How to Study God’s Word The difference between reading the Bible and studying the Bible is that you take notes when you study. One of the secrets to effective Bible study is knowing how to ask questions.

Ask Six Important Questions:

WHO are the people involved with this passage? WHAT are the events taking place? WHERE is this passage located within the Bible? WHY did God put this in the Bible for me to read? WHEN (in history) did this passage take place? HOW did God work in this passage?

©Jacqueline C. Heider 2014