Starting a Quiet Time habit can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. It is simply a way to connect with God each day through His Word and prayer. We have some tips on how to get the most out of doing your Quiet Time.

1. Pick a Place and Time

In order to build a habit of spending time with God. We recommend that you pick a time and place that suits you and will help you get into the right mindset. It is a good idea to make it the same place and time every day, as this will help you build a habit.

Your place should be as private and as quiet as possible. Somewhere that you are not likely to fall back asleep or start doing other things. The time of day should be one where you are likely to get the least amount of interruptions but still be alert enough to remember your Quiet Time. We recommend doing it in the morning as this will likely help your day be more focused on the things God would have you do.

2. Have a Bible and Notebook

While we do make the Quiet Time passages and commentary available for you on the website, we do advise you have something physical with you when you do your Quiet Time. A Bible on your phone or tablet is fine as it still allows you to make highlights and private notes. You should also have a dedicated notebook where you can personally answer the questions presented.

3. Read and Make Notes

When you do your Quiet Time you might want to begin with some prayer, but otherwise you should start by reading Scripture. Once you do, take some time to think over what you read using the questions:

• What is the writer saying?
• How do I apply this to my life?

Answer these questions in your personal notebook before turning to the commentary.

What is the Writer Saying?

Answer this by stating or summarizing the main points of the passage in your own words to make sure you understand it.

How Do I Apply This to My Life?

All Scripture is useful and applicable to all people at all times. That means that the passage you read is specifically useful to you. Use the application question to figure out how. What is God telling you to do? How should you change your life in response to what you have read?

It is best to use personal pronouns (I, me) when answering the application question. Try come away with something that you can apply to your life that day.

If the answer to this question is not obvious, you can try using the SPECT method:

Once you have answered the questions for yourself, you can then read the commentary and share something short that you learned. Someone once said that your quiet time isn’t truly finished until you have shared it with another. Use the comments to put this into practice.

This is also a good opportunity to ask questions if you are confused by something or want to know more. A leader will look over the comments and do their best to answer your question.

5. Take Some Time to Pray

A relationship with God is not just about hearing but also about sharing. Close up your time with God in some prayer. If you struggle with focus, you might want to write out your prayers. You could do this in bullet point form or even as a letter to God in your personal journal. Writing your prayers down also provides you with the opportunity to look back on what you prayed at a later date and see God’s faithfulness in answering prayer.

There are two methods for prayer you can use during this time:

The Cause Circle:

Prayer: Ask God to prepare your friend’s heart to hear the Gospel.
Care: Ask God to help you love your friend by listening to and caring for them.
Share: Ask God to help you share the Gospel in a loving, clear and confident way.

CATS:

Confession: Make things right with God.
Adoration: Worship God for who He is.
Thanksgiving: Thank God for answered prayer and daily blessings.
Supplication: Ask God for your needs.