helpful hints for a
daily quiet time

The purpose of this Quiet Time is to meet the needs of spiritual growth in the life of the Christian in such a way that they learn the art of conducting their own personal investigation into the Bible.
Consider the following helpful hints:

1. Give priority in choosing your quiet time. This will vary with each individual in accordance with his own circumstances.
   The time you choose must:
   •  have top priority over everything else
   •  be the quietest time possible.
   •  be a convenient time of the day or night.
   •  be consistently observed each day.


2. Give attention to the procedure suggested for you to follow.
   Include the following items.
   • Read God's Word.
   • Mark your Bible as you read. Here are some suggestions that might be helpful:

   a. After you read the passage put an exclamation mark next to the verses you completely understand.
   b. Put a question mark next to verses you do not understand.
   c. Put an arrow pointing upward next to encouraging verses.
   d. Put an arrow pointing downward next to verses which weigh us down in our spiritual race.
   e. Put a star next to verses containing important truths or major points.

   • Meditate on what you have read (In one sentence, write the main thought). Here are some suggestions as guidelines for meditating on God's Word:

   a. Look at the selected passage from God's point of view.
   b. Though we encourage quiet time in the morning, some people arrange to have their quiet time at the end of their day. God emphasizes that we need to go to sleep meditating on His Word. "My soul shall be satisfied and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditating on thee in the night watches" (Psalm 63:5,6).
   c. Deuteronomy 6:7 lists routine things you do each day during which you should concentrate on the portion of Scripture for that day:
   - when you sit in your house (meals and relaxation)
   - when you walk in the way (to and from school or work)
   - when you lie down (before going to sleep at night)
   - when you rise up (getting ready for the day)

   • Apply some truth to your life. (Use first person pronouns I, me, my, mine). If you have difficulty in finding an application for your life, think of yourself as a Bible SPECTator and ask yourself the following questions.

   S - is there any sin for me to forsake?
   P - is there any promise for me to claim?
   E - is there any example for me to follow?
   C - is there any command for me to obey?
   T - is there anything to be thankful for today?

   • Pray for specific things (Use the prayer sheets found in the My Prayer Journal section).


3. Be sure to fill out your quiet time sheets. This will really help you remem¬ber the things the Lord brings to your mind.


4. Purpose to share with someone else each day something you gained from your quiet time. This can be a real blessing for them as well as for you.