Start Your Own Daily Quiet Time

Not many people recognize the importance of spending time everyday reading and studying God's Word and coming to Him in prayer. Most people also are unaware of the benefits of keeping a spiritual journal. This blog compiles my personal insights from more or less two years of (somewhat) consistently meditating on Scripture and recording how God has spoken to me. Bible scholars are not the only ones who should study the Bible; as believers, it is our duty and privilege to look into the Word of God daily and let it enrich our lives, so that we may  know and live according to His will, and that we will know and experience Him in a deeper way.

If you are reading this blog and are encouraged to start your own study of God's Word, here's something I learned from my school chaplain P.Mans, as we call him, that might help you:

1. Scripture--Pick a book from the Bible (i.e. John) and read at least one chapter a day. Better yet, get a hold of Bible reading plans for a year here or here, or ask your pastor, mentor, or friend.

2. Observation--Write anything worth noting in the passage. Yes, WRITE. Hence, you will need a notebook and pen for this. To make your DQT special, pick writing materials that you wouldn't use on any ordinary occassion; after all, spending time with God is a special moment and requires only the best of you.

You may even want to formulate an outline based on what you read, which you may use in sharing a devo to your church group or an unbeliever friend.

Another fun thing to do is to make up your own Bible trivia. For example: Did you know that Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 say exactly the same thing? (In the NIV, at least. *wink*)

If you are a beginner, or if you just want to get more insights about a passage, you can purchase study guides or one-year devotionals. Check out your local Christian bookstore. If you really can't find anything in print, check out FaithWalk by Woodrow Kroll here and click on Today's Devotional.

3. Application--Here's where it gets tough, but if you're serious about knowing God more and having Him transform your life, you need to find ways for applying His Word in your life. You may find it insightful and exciting to answer the following questions:


Is there any...

Sin to confess? Do I need to make any restitution?

Promise to claim? Is it a universal promise? Have I met the condition(s)?

Attitude to change? Am I willing to work on a negative attitude and begin building toward a positive one?

Command to obey? Am I willing to do it no matter how I feel?

Example to follow? Is it a positive example for me to copy or a negative one to avoid?

Prayer to pray? Is there anything I need to pray back to God?
Error to avoid? Is there any problem that I should be alert to, or beware of?
Truth to believe? What new things can I learn about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or the other biblical teachings?
Something to praise God for? Is there something here I can be thankful for?

(From http://www.bbftt.org/SpacePets.htm)


4. Prayer--Besides actually getting down on your knees and talking to God, take time to write out a prayer. Also, keep a record of your requests and God's response to those requests. That way, you have something to look back to when you need to be reminded of His work in your life.

(Yeah, in case you didn't notice, the points above spell SOAP. And for me, spending time with God is FAR BETTER than watching  soap opera. *bum-tak-ching!*)

I encourage you to own books that will help you grow in your faith because it is definitely worth the investment. Also, it's good to have a copy of the Bible installed in your PC or phone, but nothing beats the written word!

Go! Start your DQT now! And don't hesitate to share your learnings with me and other readers. Let's grow together in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! :)