Q: What’s a Quiet Time?
A: “Quiet Time” is code for “spending time with God.”
Q: Isn’t God invisible? And…in Heaven? How do you get to Him?
A: Because of Jesus dying for our sins on the cross and sending the Holy Spirit to live inside of those who follow Christ, we have access to God. We can speak to Him from anywhere.
Q: How do you speak to God?
A: Mainly, through Prayer. Prayer can be done out loud, silently in your head, alone, in groups, through journaling prayers etc.
Q: What do you say?
A: Prayer is simply talking to God. It’s like talking to a friend or family member who loves you very much
Q: But when I talk to my friends and family, they talk back to me. God can’t talk back if He’s in Heaven or in your heart. Your heart doesn’t have a mouth.
A: Good point. In the book of Hebrews, in the Bible, it says that God used to speak to us through prophets in many different ways, but in these last days, He has spoken to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1). In other words…remember the burning bush and how God spoke to Moses through that? Remember how a voice from Heaven spoke to the people in Jesus’ day a few times? Remember how God sent prophets to the people in the Old Testament to speak His word? These are all examples of the many ways God spoke to His people for many years. But these last days, which means from the time of Jesus until Jesus returns, so the days we are living in now. In these last days, in other words, today, God speaks to us through His Son, Jesus and through the Word of God. That means the Bible.
We can know Jesus, by reading about Him in the Bible. We can know God by reading the Bible. Mostly, spending time with God means reading the Bible and praying. It could mean journaling, meditating on Scripture, doing a Bible study, or reading a devotional book. But is usually involves some aspect of reading Scripture from the Bible and praying. That’s how we spend time with God.
Q: So God speaks to us through a book. Is it an audio book or one of those with the push buttons that makes noises? Are you saying God is a machine like my little brother’s book about tractors that makes tractor noises?
A: Ha! You know, some people spend their whole lives reading God’s Word and never feel like they hear from Him. Some read it and make decisions in life based on what they read. Others just “feel” like God is leading them in a certain direction. Some do hear audible thoughts/voices that they discern with the Holy Spirit to be God’s voice and leading. But you know what? There’s not a perfect way to have a quiet time. And the Bible doesn’t say anywhere that quiet times are required by followers of Christ. But reading God’s Word and knowing what it says is important if we want to follow Him. Because He will never go against His Word. So if we feel led to steal, we know that’s not from God because the Bible says we should not steal. That’s what we call “temptation.” But having quiet times is how we learn and grow in our faith as we read more of God’s Word. But again, it’s not required. It’s not a law, just a really great idea with phenomenal benefits!
Q: Wait, what?!?!?! Then why do so many followers of Jesus have quiet times?
A: Because they love God and want to spend time with Him. But as Gary Chapman will tell you, there are many different ways to spend time with God. See the Five Love Languages of God! Some people feel closer to God through music, others through reading, and still others through prayer or being in nature. But everyone who follows Christ has to read and think on God’s Word regularly. It’s considered our “food,” and we cannot live without food, right?
Q: Right! One more question…what if someone can’t read?
A: Well, like a kid, can start memorizing Scripture even before they can read. But that’s also why we read the Scriptures to them. Or old people who lose their sight can benefit from people reading the Scriptures to them.
Q: What if someone can’t see or hear?
A: Then I suppose there’s always braille, reading with your fingers through touch. God has made a way, for everyone to experience Him. It’s just that some require others’ help to do it.
Q: So do you have to actually be quiet during a quiet time?
A: No, but a lot of people are. You can read the Bible out loud, do your quiet time with a friend or your family, or even read the Bible to a kid who can’t read or a blind person
Q: What if you miss a day?
A: Then you just pick up where you left off and move on the next time you can. Mainly, don’t get discouraged if you miss a day. You’re not perfect, so you will miss a day here or there. But keep going. Keep reading. Keep pursuing a relationship with God through spending time with Him and reading His Word. Everyone falls down, but you’ve got to get back up and keep going.
