Review - The Purpose of this Series:
The Bible says that developing and maintaining spiritual disciplines is God’s will for you.
"...that you may become mature Christians and may fulfill God's will for you."
Col. 4:12b (Ph)
Review - What is "Spiritual Maturity"?
"....In the unity of common faith, and knowledge of the Son of God, we arrive at real maturity - the measure of development which is meant by the 'fullness of Christ.'" Eph 4:13 (Ph)
The word “maturity” (also translated “perfect”) is the Greek word, teleios, tel'-i-os; it means complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character)
Practically speaking, Spiritual Maturity is being like Christ.
"For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him... should be like his Son..."
Rom. 8:29 (LB)
Review -
Three Facts About Spiritual Maturity
1. It's Not Automatic - Slow but steady wins the race.
2. It Is A Process
"Learn to be mature." Prov. 8:5 (GN)
"Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 3:18 (GN)
There are no shortcuts!
3. It takes discipline
"Take the time and the trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit." 1 Tim. 4:7b
"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (NASB) 1 Tim. 4:7b
Review - Understanding Discipleship
1. Mature believers are called disciples.
2. I cannot be a disciple without being disciplined.
3. The more disciplined I become the more God can use me.
4. The mark of a disciple is cross bearing.
(Jesus) "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27
5. How often am I to do this?
(Jesus) "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23
6. What is involved in "cross bearing"?
Whatever it takes to give Christ first place in my life!
"We are not meant to remain as children...but to grow up in every way into Christ..." Eph. 4:14-15 (Ph)
Review - The Focus of this Series:
We are focusing on the Four Basic Habits every Christian needs to develop in order to grow spiritual maturity.
1. Time With God's Word
"If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
John 8:31-32
2. Prayer
"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it... in this way you can become my disciples." John 15:7-8
3. Tithing
"None of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions." Luke 14:33 (JB)
"The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives" Deut. 14:23 (LB)
4. Fellowship
"Love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:34-35 (LB)
This Series will...
1. Equip you with the skills you need to begin these habits.
2. Explain the tools that you need to continue these habits
Lesson 1 - The Habit of a Daily Time with God
"The one who looks steadily at God's perfect law... and makes that law his HABIT - not listening and then forgetting, but actively putting it into practice will be happy in all that he does." James 1:25 (Ph)
How to Have A Quiet Time
DEFINITION: "A quiet time is a daily time I set aside to be alone with God to get to know Him through the Bible and prayer."
I. The Importance Of A Daily Quiet Time
Your time alone with God should be the top priority in your schedule for five reasons:
1. We were ___created__ to have fellowship with God. (Pascal: “God-shaped void”)
"So God created man in his own image ..." Gen. 1:27, 2:7, 3:8
“…that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3 NKJV)
2. Jesus __died__ to make a relationship to God possible.
"God ... has invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, Christ our Lord." I Cor. 1:9 (LB)
3. Personal time alone with God was Jesus' ___source of strength_____
"Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Mark 1:35, Luke 22:39, Luke 5:16
4. Every person who has been effective in ___service___ for God developed this habit.
Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, and Paul all knew to break away and spend time alone with God.
5. You cannot be a __strong and growing__ Christian without it!
"Man cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks." Matt. 4:4 (GN)
"... I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" Job 23:12 (NAS)
"How can a young man cleanse his way? By keeping to your Word." Ps. 119:9 (Mof)
You eat “spiritual food” during
your quiet time in order that you might grow spiritually.
II. The Purpose of a Daily Quiet Time
1. To Give devotion to God
"Give to the Lord the glory due to his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. "Ps. 29:2
"(Hezekiah) was successful, because everything he did... he did in a spirit of complete devotion to his God." 2 Ch. 31:21 (GN)
One of my schoolteachers used to say to our class, “Give me your undivided attention.” God is worthy of our “undivided attention.” People don’t like to be marginalized, much less God who deserves and desires all our devotion! (Rev. 4:11; John 4:23)
John 4:23 tells us the Father is seeking those who are willing to worship Him in spirit and truth.
2. To get direction from God.
"Show me the path where I should go, 0 Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me ..."
Ps. 25:4 (LB)
Some of us still carry the attitude of a three-year-old who wants everybody to know that “I can do it all by myself.” My best days have been the ones where I have sought the Lord at the beginning of them for His guidance.
2 Things To Do In A Quiet Time
1. Consider your way: "Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established."
Pr. 4:26 (KJV)
Walk through your day. Consider your appointments to Him; your decisions to be made; your trials and temptations.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths." Pr. 3:6 (KJV)
2. Commit your day: "Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will." Ps. 37:5 (LB)
Walk through your day. Commit your appointments to Him; your decisions to be made; your trials and temptations. In 1 Peter 5:7 Peter says, “…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
The purpose of a daily quiet time is to give devotion to God, to get direction from God and thirdly, to gain joy in God.
3. To gain joy in God.
"Delight yourself in the Lord; and he will give you the desires of your heart." Ps. 37:4 (KJV)
"... (God's) presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure." Ps. 16:11 (GN)
FACT: The better I get to know Christ, the more I love Him.
The objective of your Quiet Time is not to study about Christ, but to actually spend time with him!
(Phil 3:10 NIV) I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
4. To grow more like God.
"For as you know him better and better God will give you, through his great power. Everything you need for living a truly good life... it has promised to save us... and to give us his own character!"
2 Peter 1:3-4 (LB)
(2 Cor 3:18 NKJV) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
"When the council saw the boldness of Peter and John... they were amazed and realized what being with Jesus had done for them!" Acts 4:13 (LB)
Some christians are just content with being saved. Those who want to grow spiritually mature want to know Christ and be like Him.
How To Begin A Daily Quiet Time
Many of us are probably like me:
I was brought up in what many would consider a “nice” family—I occasionally attended church, prayed at mealtime, etc., but I would have failed the SST test (Saved & Sanctified)--I didn't know Christ.
Though we attended a “nice” church, it wasn't what some would call a Bible-believing, teaching and practicing church. As a result, I didn't know anything about "quiet times."
The closest thing to a "quiet time" was when mom said, "If you all don't be quiet I'm going to…!"
Let me share with you five things you can do to begin a daily quiet time.
1. Select A Specific Time.
The best time to have a quiet time is when
you are: at your best. For most people, this is when you get up in the morning.
Reasons for considering an early morning quiet time:
A. The example of Bible characters.
(Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Hannah, Job, Hezekiah, David, Daniel, Jesus, etc.)
B. It seems logical to begin the day with it.
"The best time to tune your instrument is before you play the concert, not after!"
C. It demonstrates that meeting with God is your first priority. You give Him the first part of your day. (The first part of your day varies depending upon what shift you work.)
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.
How Long Should a Quiet Time Be?
3 Guidelines:
1. Start with 15 minutes and let it grow.
2. Don't watch the clock!
3. 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)
Deb. likes the bathroom; I like the solitude that comes with going in early to work.
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. Beginning With the Right Attitudes
A. Reverence - Don’t rush or burst into God’s presence
"Be still, and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10 (Shut up!; Stop striving and acknowledge God’s supremacy)
B. Expectancy - (God is speaking; I am listening/I am speaking; God is listening)
"Open...my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word." Ps. 119:18 (LB)
C. Willingness to obey - "Whoever is willing to do what God wants will know..." John 7:17 (GN)
5. Follow A Simple Plan
"Fifteen Minutes With God"
(5 Things To Get You Started)
1. Relax (1 Minute)
Be still and quiet! Slow down! Prepare your heart. Take a few deep breaths and wait on God.
2. Read (4 Minutes) See the section on "How To Read God's Word".
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 (4 Minutes) See the section on "How To Meditate on God's Word".
You may use the S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S. or any of the 6 methods of meditation. Think about what the passage means to your life. Write down your thoughts.
(Heb 13:5 NKJV) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Part of reflecting is memorizing verses that speak to you in a special way. See the section on: "How To Memorize God's Word".
4. Write/record (2 Minutes) See the section on "How To Apply God's Word".
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 (4 Minutes)
See the section on "The Habit of Prayer". Conclude our Quiet Time by talking to God about what He has shown you and making your requests from our prayer list.
III. How To Overcome The Problems With Your Quiet Time
1. The Problem of Discipline (4 Problems)
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:
1. Go to bed on time. (Tell Leno and Letterman “goodnight!”)
2. Get up immediately. (position the alarm clock/get the kind without a snooze feature)
3. Be aware of quiet time robbers.
4.Fall asleep thinking spiritual thoughts (not the movie Scream, etc)
2. The Problem of Distractions
Satan will try to use anything to get your mind to wander during a quiet time. Telephone; Children; Spouse; Problems; Hunger
Suggestions:
1. Get out of bed.
2. Get thoroughly awake.
3. Read and pray aloud.
4. Walk during your prayer time.
5. 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. “Cereal without milk is dry but it is still nourishing”
Possible Causes of Spiritual Dryness
Your physical condition. (Eating right, vitamins and exercise will help)
Disobedience to God. (Confession and repentance will help)
Rushing your quiet time. (Dealing with the distractions and discipline will help)
Getting in a rut. (Variety will help)
Not sharing insights with others. (Sharing will help)
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 covenant or 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 be legalistic.
Don't give up.
It takes 3 weeks for you to become familiar with a new task. Then it takes another 3 weeks before it becomes a comfortable habit.
"Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up." Gal. 6:9 (LB)
A Prayer of Commitment
"Father, I realize that I was created to have fellowship with you. Thank you for making this privilege possible through Jesus' death. I know that daily fellowship with You is to be the most important thing in my life.
I now want to commit myself to spending at least some time every day with you in a quiet time of Bible reading and prayer. I'm trusting in your strength to help me be consistent. In Jesus' name, Amen."
If you are here today and desire to spend time with God you must know that all of these principles of the daily quiet time learned today don't mean a hill of beans if you do not know Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, God's Son died on a cross that we might have our sins forgiven and experience fellowship with God.
According to the Bible, you must agree with God that you have been trying to live by your own terms. You must turn away from sin and come by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
You can be born again today and on your way to applying the spiritual disciplines that we have learned. Pray with me: “Lord Jesus, I have sinned against you. I have been trying to run my own life according to my own rules. I believe that you died to take my sin away. I trust you now as my Savior from sin and the Boss of my life. Amen”
