Basic Quiet Time Tutorial

What Would make the perfect start to your day?  Would it be waking up to morning traffic on bustling streets?  Would it be sleeping in til the last minute then rushing to get ready?  Or would it be more of a relaxed, quiet time?  For me, it would be to wake up relaxed, eat my breakfast, and sip my hot tea while everything and everyone else is still and silent.  However, I have kids and one that’s an early riser like me.  Enough said right?  Regardless of whether I get to spend my first waking moments alone or with my kids, there is one more thing that makes my start to the day perfect and that is having quiet time.

What Is Quiet Time

If you’ve been a believer for some time you’ve probably come across the phrase “quiet time”.  If not, you are probably wondering what I am talking about.  In short, a quiet time is well…a quiet time.  It is a time to spend with Jesus by reading your Bible or using a devotional and in prayer.  The purpose of this is to foster growth and communication in your relationship with Jesus and in effect with others.  My quiet time may not be quiet at all because of the children running around, but I do it anyway because it is crucial in setting my attitude and point of view for the day.  I’ve noticed that when I don’t have my quiet time, I am more easily irritated and my mind is not focused on Him.

Note:  the phrase “quiet time” is not found in the Bible, but the practice of going away to spend time with the Father is.

When To Have Your Quiet Time

Now you may be thinking that this sounds good but you are unsure of when to have your quiet time because you just can’t fit one more thing in your busy schedule.  As a mom of two young children, I get it!  I really do!  I am not perfect and at times it is a struggle for me.  Fortunately, there is hope but before I get there let’s look at scriptural references for when to have a quiet time.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  ~Joshua 1:8

{Blessed is he}…whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on His law day and night. ~Psalm 1:2

It seems that the Bible indicates having your quiet time both in the day and at night is a good practice.  Jesus even went off to have His quiet time to pray in the daytime (Mark 1:35 and Luke 3:21) and at night (Luke:12 and Matthew 26:31-4).

If you haven’t been in the practice of having a quiet time during the day and at night then I want to suggest something to you that will hopefully give you hope.  I don’t want you to get bogged down by having your quiet time twice per day if that is too much.  Instead, I want to suggest that you start at least once per day at whatever time you feel most comfortable.  Oh…and don’t worry about the length of your time either.  The point here is to make it a habit and for it to be focused.  So if you only spend a few minutes but it was focused then that is great!

Do not despise this small beginning…Zechariah 4:10 TLB

How To Have Your Quiet Time

When you have picked your time of day, pick a book in the Bible to read.  As a side, devotionals are great but in my opinion they are supplements so I wouldn’t suggest them if you are just starting to have quiet times.  You want to build a sure foundation on truth and only the Bible will give you that.

Whatever book you choose I would suggest reading one chapter each time you sit down for your quiet time.  As a suggestion, I would start with the gospel of John.  this book will give you the life history of Jesus from His birth to His death on the cross and also the miracles He performed.  To close your time, end your reading in prayer, thanking God for what you’ve just read.

As it becomes a natural habit like brushing your teeth, the Holy Spirit will guide you further in your quiet time journey.  God knows you are busy…and tired but I think He is pleased when we take time out of our busy schedules to spend time with Him.  Nothing delights Him more!  I heard Charles Stanley say, “God didn’t make my life so full that I couldn’t spend time with Him.”  This is your time with the Father and no one else’s.  The goal is to find joy in being with Him who will, in turn, quiet your soul, give you peace, and show you things only He can show you.  It is a fun and exciting journey.  Please share in the comments below one thing that may have resonated with you as you read this post.