How to Have a Quiet Time

Cultivating a Devotional Life

A Quiet Time is a consistent time set aside for prayer and Bible reading.

1. Why have Quiet Times?

a. To give God glory. (Isaiah 26:8)
b. To gain direction from God. (Psalm 139:24)
c. To gain delight in God. (Psalm 16:11)
d. To be useful for the world. (Ephesians 2:10)
e. Because a habit of abiding in and delighting in the Bible will make you
healthy, strong and fruitful. (Psalm 1:1, John 15)
f. Because nothing good and healthy comes except through planning and
effort. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
g. Because you are under the constant influence of the world, the flesh
and the devil. (Romans 12:2)
h. Because without a consistent habit of prayer and Bible reading you
have no living relationship with Christ. (John 14)

2. When should I have Quiet Times?

a. There’s no hour like the first hour.
i. Jesus did it. (Mark 1:35)
ii. David did it. (Psalm 5:3)
b. The last hour can be just as good.
c. Schedule a time and make it consistent.
d. Know Thyself
3. Where should I have Quiet Times?
a. Create a space with privacy and minimized distractions.
b. Create an alluring environment. (Music, candles, coffee)
i. This is for your joy, leverage the things that give you joy!

4. How do I have a Quiet Time?

a. Choose a reading plan. (One Year Bible, etc.)
b. Have a conversation with God: Talk to God, Listen to God, Talk to God.
c. Fun with friends

“Do not have your concert first,
and then tune your instrument
afterwards. Begin the day with
the Word of God and prayer
and get first of all into
harmony with Him.”
-Hudson Taylor

Quiet Times Q&A

What if I don’t like reading?

 It is the Word of God.
 If you have a reading disability there are audio versions.

What if I miss a day?

 Start fresh and keep moving forward. (Philippians 3:13-14)
 You’re not saved by devotions, you’re saved for devotions.

What if I don’t feel like it?

 Remember the difference between what you feel like and
what you want.
 “It’s easier to act your way into a feeling than feel your way
into an action.”

What if I don’t get it?

 Don’t get hung up on what you don’t understand. When
you come across a hard text, write a question mark and
keep going. Come back to it later.

What if it’s boring?

 In the age of entertainment, focused spirituality is an
acquired taste.
 Focus on faithfulness not a fix.
 From time to time schedule a longer time for devotions
 If you’re not practicing what you read, it will lose it’s power.

How to Have a Quiet Time

1. Talk to God: PREPARE your heart. (3 Minutes)

Cast your burdens. (1 Peter 5:7)
Confess your sins. (1 John 1:9)
Clear your mind. (Psalm 1:2)

2. Listen to God: READ God’s Word. (10 Minutes)

Read the day’s passages.
Record questions and observations.
Write a verse to take with you and meditate on.

1. What does this passage say about God?
2. What does this passage say about us?
3. If this is true, what should I change in my life today?
4. How does this passage reveal the fallen condition of our humanity?
5. How does this passage fit into God’s plan to redeem humanity in Christ?

3. Talk to God: RESPOND to God’s Word. (2 Minutes)

Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication

Sin to confess
Prayer to pray
Attitude to change
Command to obey
Error to avoid
Promise to claim
Example to follow
Truth to believe
Something to thank God for
Reading in Context