Daily Quiet Time

A three-day devotional study for new believers

Purpose: The following pages contain a sample Quiet Time for those who have never settled down to a daily, regular devotional time, and who wish to make this a part of their Christian lives. May be used for retreats, etc. any age.

Suggestions: If you wish to do this three-day study, read again the four pointers for the Quiet Time in the first half of Chapter 7. Read only today's lesson. Keep each day's material fresh for the day on which you wish to use it.

Time: About twenty minutes for each study.

History: These three devotional studies were originally used at weekend conferences for young people ranging in age from sixteen to twenty-five. The pages were handed to the cabin counselor, who then made personal contact with each one during the day, as a follow-up procedure.

Page 88

First Day

   I. MEETING WITH GOD

Meditation: Time 3 minutes.

My Purpose: To meet Jesus Christ, my living Lord.

To be quiet, and put all other thoughts out of my mind.

To say to myself, He is here.

To welcome Him, and to be glad.

   II. TALKING WITH GOD

Prayer: Use these thoughts to make your own prayers.

Time 5 minutes.

1. To give thanks means: To be grateful. Think of all you have to be grateful for, in your past, in your present. For the knowledge of God, of Jesus Christ, of the Holy Spirit. Be grateful for the Giver as well as His gifts.

2. To give thanks: For the pleasant things and the things that hurt you and cause you to suffer. Jesus suffered for us. He knows. Give thanks.

   III. LETTING HIM TALK TO ME

Bible reading: Time 15 minutes.

My opening prayer. Psalm 119:18. Memorize it.

1. John 1:1-18. Study verses by reading more than once.

Read quietly, thinking of the meaning.

Read it again, aloud, to yourself.

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2. John 1:1-4. For specific study.

a. Who is "the Word?" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b. Write out verses 2, 3, 4, and put the name you wrote above in place of the pronoun "he" or "him." If you have the right name, this will make good sense.

c. Who made the world and all of us? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

d. Make a list of the other names by which He is called in verses 1-18.

   IV. QUESTIONS                                                                                     Yes     No

1. Can one inherit Christ from one's parents?                                        . . . .     . . . .                              

2. Do you have a friend who is a real Christian?                                   . . . .     . . . .

3. Have you ever definitely accepted Christ as your Saviour?              . . . .     . . . .

When and where?                                                                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Page 90

Second Day

   I. MEETING WITH GOD

Meditation: Time 3 minutes.

My Purpose: To meet God face to face and worship Him.

To give thanks and learn to worship.

To learn to be quiet and alone with Him.

   II. TALKING WITH GOD

Prayer: Make your own prayers including the above thoughts, as well as the following:

Time: 5 minutes.

1. To worship God: Worship means that honor and respect and attitude of adoration that a small earthling like me can feel and give to the Great Almighty Creator, who is God and Saviour.

2. Think on the above sentences. Break it down, think on the meaning of each word, each phrase. Then remember He wants your worship (John 4:23, 24), and start over again, and give it to Him, consciously being aware that He is there. Use words and use thoughts in your heart which you can't even put into words. Worship the living God who loves you.

   III. LETTING HIM TALK TO ME

Bible reading: Time 15 minutes.

Prayer: Psalm 119:18. Pray it.

Page 91

1. John 1:19-51. Give thanks for all you learned yesterday about "The Word." Ask to be taught by the Holy Spirit today.

2. Read aloud all of these verses. Time yourself, read slowly, and think of the meaning. How long did it take you? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. On the sheet you used yesterday, continue the list of names used in this chapter for Jesus. How many do you have now? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

   IV. QUESTIONS

1. Do you think that Jesus Christ is God? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. Why? Write your answer.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. What made these disciples believe on Him? Write your answer.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Page 92

Third Day

   I. MEETING WITH GOD

Meditation: Bring your thoughts to Jesus Christ. Be consciously in His presence.

My Purpose: To worship Him.

To thank Him.

To let Him speak to me.

(Use thoughts of the other lessons.)

   II. TALKING WITH GOD

1. To confess my own sins and needs in simple everyday language, and to accept and thank Him for His forgiveness and new life.

2. To pray for others: my friends and my family. He loves and cares for them, too.

   III. LETTING HIM TALK TO ME

Bible reading: Time 15 minutes.

Prayer: Psalm 119:18. Pray it.

1. I John, chapters 1 and 2. Read these short chapters aloud.

2. Make a list of all the things you can find in these chapters that Christians should do.

3. Make a list of all the things Jesus Christ does for "little children" who belong to Him.

Page 93

   IV. QUESTIONS

Write down some of the things you have liked about this three-day meditation, the things which have helped you most.

   Further Suggestions:

   Read the helps for Daily Quiet Time given in Chapter 7. Take your hymn book with you into your Quiet Time, and meditate and think upon the words which inspired the writers: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," etc.

Appendix 2  ||  Table of Contents