Quiet Time Leaflet with words

 

GROW TOWARDS SPIRITUAL MATURITY AT HOPE C.C.C.

Have you considered your growing your Christian life at HOPE CCC?

HOW TO BEGIN A DAILY QUIET TIME

 

1. SELECT A SPECIFIC TIME.

The best time to have a quiet time is when I am at my best!

 

Reasons for considering an early morning quiet time:

1. The example of Bible characters.

David    -Psalm 55:17  "Evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud.."

Daniel   -Daniel 6:10 "The windows in its upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before."

Jesus   -Mark 1:35 "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."

 

2. It seems logical to begin the day with it.

"The best time to tune your instrument is before you play the concert, not after!"

 

3. It demonstrates that meeting with God is your first priority. You give him the first part of your day!

 

4. You are likely to be more rested, your mind is less cluttered, and it's often the

quietest time!

 

 

Whatever time you set, be consistent.

 

When will your time with God be?

 

 

 

HOW LONG SHOULD A QUIET TIME BE?

3 Guidelines

Start with 15 minutes and let it grow.

Don't watch the clock!

Emphasize quality, not quantity!

 

2. CHOOSE A SPECIAL PLACE.

"Jesus left the city and went, as he usually did, to the Mount of Olives ... to pray."

Luke 22:39 (GN)

 

The Important Factor:

"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.

1. A Bible - with readable print.

2. A Notebook - to write down what the Lord speaks to you about, and to keep your prayer

list.

3. A Songbook - if you want to sing.

 

4. BEGIN WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDES

_Reverence

"Be still, and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10

_Expectancy

"Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word." Ps. 119:18

_Willingness to obey

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Matt 6:33

 

 

 

 

5. FOLLOW A SIMPLE PLAN

"FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH GOD"

(A Plan To Get You Started)

 

1.Relax

Be still and quiet! Slow down! Prepare your heart. Take a few deep breaths and wait on God.

 

 

2. Read

Begin reading where you left off the day before. Read until you feel God has told you something.

Then stop and think about it.

 

 

3. Reflect

Think about what the passage means to your life. Write down your thoughts. Part of reflecting is memorizing verses that speak to you in a special way.

 

 

4. Record

Write out a personal application statement that is practical, passable, and measurable.

"Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and the fingertips."

 

 

5. Request

Conclude our Quiet Time by talking to God about what He has shown you and making your requests from our prayer list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO OVERCOME THE

PROBLEMS

WITH YOUR QUIET TIME

 

1. THE PROBLEM OF DISCIPLINE

Your first problem in establishing a quiet time will face you the moment you wake each morning:  Am I going to get out of bed? ("The Battle of the Blankets")

Suggestions

Go to bed on time.

Get up immediately.

Be aware of quiet time robbers.

 

2. THE PROBLEM OF DISTRACTIONS

Satan will try to use anything to get your mind to wander during a quiet time.

Suggestions

Get out of bed.

Get thoroughly awake.

Read and pray aloud.

Walk during your prayer time.

Keep a notepad nearby.

 

3. THE PROBLEM OF DRYNESS

Sometimes you will feel like you're not getting anything out of your quiet time. ("The Battle of

the Blahs")

Never judge your quiet time by your

feelings.

 

Possible Causes of Spiritual Dryness

1. Your physical condition.

2. Disobedience to God.

3. Rushing your quiet time.

4. Getting in a rut.

5. Not sharing insights with others.

 

 

4. THE PROBLEM OF DILIGENCE

Your greatest problem will be your struggle to stay consistent. I find Satan fights nothing harder than my quiet time.

Suggestions

1. Make a vow to God.

2. Schedule it on your daily calendar.

3. Be prepared for Satan's excuses.

4. Leave your Bible open at night to the passage for the next day!

WHAT IF I MISS A DAY?

Don't get on a guilt trip.

Don't get discouraged

Some start their daily reading plan and when they miss a day… they get discouraged and stop.  The reality is at some point you will miss a day.  So what!!!  Simply start back up.

Don't get legalistic.

 

PRAY

"Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to Him. "Lord, teach us to pray…and He said to them, "When you pray say…" Luke 11:1-2 Jesus: "This, then, is How you should pray…"  

1. PRAISE:  "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…"

2. PURPOSE:  COMMIT  TO GOD'S WILL

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven…"  Matthew 9:10

3. PROVISION:  "Give us today our daily bread"

4. PARDON:  "Forgive us our debts…

5. PROTECTION: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."