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Quiet time
is the time set aside to meet with God. It is the time set aside to
communicate with the Father through the living Word with the assistance of
the Holy Spirit. It is also a time to bring our request to God in prayer.
Through Quiet Time we cultivate a relationship with God. In this study, we
shall also discuss how to have effective quiet time on a daily basis with
God.
Why the need for quiet
time
1.
We need God's
power to cope with the daily activities. I Kings 19:7, John 15:5, Is
40:28-31
2.
We pattern our
lives after our Lord Jesus Christ's life by following His steps. Mt.
14:23, Mk1:35, I Pet 2:21
3.
To cultivate a
personal habit of worshipping the Lord and thereby help our personal
devotion. I Pet. 2:2, Josh 1:8-9, Ps. 1:1-3, 95:6
4.
To create a
personal adjustment to the teaching of the Bible, i.e. living by the
Word, reacting positively or negatively to the Bible. John. 1:21-25,
Matt 4:4, I Pet. 2:2, James 1:21-25
5.
To create
right reaction to trials and temptations that befall us. Substance
already imparted help to react. I Pet. 1L3-7, Heb. 12:10-13, James 1:2-4
What you require
a.
The Holy Bible
(it is advisable to have more than one version and a good reference of
the Bible at your side).
b.
Hymn
book/chorus book and dictionary
c.
Notebook and
pen
d.
List of prayer
points
e.
Aid, Daily
Power, Everyday with Jesus etc.
Time and place of quiet
time
a.
Frequency: At
least once a day. Dan. 6:10
b.
Period of the
day: At an acceptable time, preferably early in the morning Mk. 1:35;
Prov. 8:17; Ps. 5:3; Gen. 19:27
Benefits of using the
morning
1.
Waking
thoughts are focused on God.
2.
Strength is
received to meet the challenges of the day. Eph. 6:10-12
3.
Place: A quite
place.
4.
Durations: To
be determined by the Believer such that it does not encroach on another
activity for the day.
How to observe quiet
time
a.
Begin with a
short prayer. Ps. 119:18; John 16:13-15
b.
Sing a few
songs/chorus.
c.
Read slowly
and meditatively through a predetermined portion of the Bible (Ps.
119:18; 105) providing answers to the following questions where
applicable:
-
What is the main
subject of the passage or book?
-
Who are the persons
revealed in the passage?
-
Who is speaking?
About who is he speaking?
-
What is the key
verse(s) of the passage?
-
Is there any sin
for me to confess and forsake? Prov. 28:13
-
Is there any
commandment for me to obey?
-
Is there any error
for me to avoid?
-
Is there any
promise for me to claim?
d.
Prayer:
Intercession, thanksgiving, adoration, supplication (Phil. 4:6-8, 1Tim.
2:1-3). During the course of the quite time, it is important that the
following be done:
I. Write
down on a notebook, sins to be confessed and commandments to be obeyed.
II. Passages
to be memorized.
III. Meditate
on the portion read. Some of the benefits of meditation on the Word of God
are: Josh. 1:8-9; Ps. 119:97
-
The Word will become
real to you.
-
The Holy Spirit will
apply the Word of God to your life and problems.
-
The soul learns to
blame itself when it detects faults and adores and loves the Lord
-
Determine to obey the
Word of God. James 1:21-25; II Tim. 3:16-17
-
List out areas which
the Word of God has touched you and pray on each of them.
Methods of Bible study
during quiet time
The methods suggested
are not exhaustive. Use all the Bible study methods available to avoid
monotony. Benefits of quiet time:
a. Provides
an opportunity for the soul to linger in the presence of God, laying
your innermost being before Him.
b. Entering
a reverent an affectionate yet fruitful conference with Him. It creates
an atmosphere where God speaks to you and you speak back to Him.
c. Working
knowledge of the Bible.
d. Desire
to know God and to do His will.
How Does God Speak to
us
1.
By His Word
Ps. 119:105; Heb. 1:1
2.
By Dream Joel
2:28; Job 33:14-16; Gen. 31:11; 37:5-7
3.
By Vision Acts
10:3; Joel 2:28; Isa. 6:1-4
4.
The Still
Small Voice I Kings 19:12
5.
Inward Witness
Prov. 20:27; I Cor. 2:11
6.
Audible Voice
Acts 10:13; I Sam. 3:4
7.
Through the
gifts of the Holy Spirit, e.g. prophecy, word of wisdom, word of
knowledge etc. I Cor 14 : 3-4; II Pet 1 : 19-21; Deut 18 : 20-21
Obstacles to effective
quiet timeDiscuss
possible obstacles to a fruitful quiet time--Haste, disturbance, bad
planning, laziness, over-eating, monotony due to using one method of
study.
CONCLUSION
A fruitful and consistent quiet time brings out a balanced spiritual
development in at least three different areas:
-
Healthy and fruitful
Bible Knowledge:
Ps. 119:9-12, 105;
Eph. 3:13-17; II Tim. 2:15; Ps. 19:8; Hos. 4:6
-
Fruitful Prayer Life:
Pr. 28:9; 15:8, 29
-
An enviable Christian
character:
Mt. 5:16; I Pet. 3:2;Phil. 3:20; I Pet. 3:15-20
MEMORY VERSE: I PETER
2:2
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