Transformative Power of Quiet Time with Jesus

 

Summary

Taking time to focus our thoughts and minds on Jesus is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. The principle is simple: we become like those we spend the most time with. If we surround ourselves with people who lack ambition or are critical, we risk adopting those same traits. Conversely, spending time with Jesus, even just 5 to 15 minutes a day, can lead us to become more like Him. This practice is often referred to as a "quiet time," a dedicated period where we engage with God through reading the Bible and prayer.

The best time for a quiet time is often in the morning, where you can find a comfortable spot, perhaps your favorite chair, and immerse yourself in God's presence. Start by reading the Bible for a few minutes, then share your heart with God—your worries, concerns, and plans for the day. After expressing yourself, take a moment to be silent and listen. This silence is crucial because it allows God the opportunity to speak to you. Many people never hear from God simply because they are never quiet long enough to listen.

God doesn't need to speak audibly to communicate with us. He can place thoughts directly into our minds, a process we call inspiration. Just as He created radio and television waves, He can transmit His thoughts to us in a way that is personal and profound. By cultivating this practice of quiet time, we open ourselves to divine inspiration and guidance, allowing us to navigate our lives with a sense of peace and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Influence: We become like those we spend the most time with. If we want to become more like Jesus, we need to intentionally spend time with Him. This means evaluating our relationships and ensuring they align with our spiritual goals. [00:24]

2. The Importance of Quiet Time: A daily quiet time with God is crucial for spiritual growth. It involves reading the Bible, praying, and listening for God's voice. This practice helps us align our lives with God's will and find peace amidst life's chaos. [00:49]

3. Listening to God: Silence is a powerful tool in our spiritual journey. By being quiet, we give God the space to speak to us. This requires turning off distractions and being open to the thoughts and inspirations He places in our minds. [01:28]

4. God's Communication: God doesn't need to speak audibly to communicate with us. He can inspire us by placing thoughts in our minds. This divine inspiration can guide us in our daily lives, providing clarity and direction. [01:42]

5. Consistency in Practice: Regularly spending time with God, even if it's just a few minutes each day, can lead to significant spiritual transformation. This consistency helps us develop a deeper relationship with God and become more like Jesus. [00:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - The Influence of Thoughts
- [00:24] - The Company You Keep
- [00:39] - Evaluating Relationships
- [00:49] - The Concept of Quiet Time
- [01:04] - Morning Routine with God
- [01:15] - Sharing Your Heart with God
- [01:28] - The Power of Silence
- [01:42] - Divine Inspiration

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
2. John 15:4-5 - "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of spending time with Jesus daily? [00:49]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of God communicating with us? [01:42]
3. What are the suggested steps for having a quiet time with God as mentioned in the sermon? [01:04]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the principle of becoming like those we spend time with relate to the idea of spiritual growth in the sermon? [00:24]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that silence can be a tool for spiritual growth? [01:28]
3. How might the concept of divine inspiration, as described in the sermon, influence a person's daily decision-making? [01:42]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are there any that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you address this? [00:39]
2. What specific time of day can you dedicate to having a quiet time with God, and how can you ensure consistency in this practice? [00:49]
3. Identify one distraction that often prevents you from being silent and listening to God. What steps can you take to minimize this distraction? [01:28]
4. Have you ever experienced a moment of divine inspiration? How did it impact your actions or decisions?
5. How can you incorporate the practice of sharing your heart with God into your daily routine? What might you need to change to make this a priority? [01:15]
6. Think of a recent situation where you felt stressed or overwhelmed. How might spending quiet time with God have changed your response to that situation? [01:15]
7. What is one way you can intentionally focus your thoughts on Jesus this week, especially during challenging moments? [00:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Influence Shapes Identity
Spending time with Jesus is crucial for spiritual growth and transformation. The principle is simple: we become like those we spend the most time with. If we surround ourselves with people who lack ambition or are critical, we risk adopting those same traits. Conversely, spending time with Jesus, even just 5 to 15 minutes a day, can lead us to become more like Him. This practice is often referred to as a "quiet time," a dedicated period where we engage with God through reading the Bible and prayer. By intentionally choosing to spend time with Jesus, we align ourselves with His character and values, allowing His influence to shape our identity. [00:24]

"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.' Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame." (1 Corinthians 15:33-34, ESV)

Reflection: Who are the people you spend the most time with, and how are they influencing your spiritual journey? What steps can you take to ensure that Jesus is the primary influence in your life today?


Day 2: The Gift of Quiet Time
A daily quiet time with God is crucial for spiritual growth. It involves reading the Bible, praying, and listening for God's voice. This practice helps us align our lives with God's will and find peace amidst life's chaos. The best time for a quiet time is often in the morning, where you can find a comfortable spot, perhaps your favorite chair, and immerse yourself in God's presence. Start by reading the Bible for a few minutes, then share your heart with God—your worries, concerns, and plans for the day. After expressing yourself, take a moment to be silent and listen. This silence is crucial because it allows God the opportunity to speak to you. [00:49]

"But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you." (Psalm 88:13, ESV)

Reflection: What specific time and place can you set aside each day for a quiet time with God? How can you make this a consistent practice in your life starting today?


Day 3: Embracing Silence
Silence is a powerful tool in our spiritual journey. By being quiet, we give God the space to speak to us. This requires turning off distractions and being open to the thoughts and inspirations He places in our minds. Many people never hear from God simply because they are never quiet long enough to listen. God doesn't need to speak audibly to communicate with us. He can place thoughts directly into our minds, a process we call inspiration. Just as He created radio and television waves, He can transmit His thoughts to us in a way that is personal and profound. [01:28]

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." (Psalm 62:5, ESV)

Reflection: What distractions in your life prevent you from experiencing silence with God? How can you create a space of silence today to listen for His voice?


Day 4: Divine Inspiration
God doesn't need to speak audibly to communicate with us. He can inspire us by placing thoughts in our minds. This divine inspiration can guide us in our daily lives, providing clarity and direction. By cultivating the practice of quiet time, we open ourselves to divine inspiration and guidance, allowing us to navigate our lives with a sense of peace and purpose. This requires a heart that is open and attentive to the subtle ways God communicates with us, often through the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit. [01:42]

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21, ESV)

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt God was guiding you through a thought or inspiration? How can you be more attentive to His guidance in your life today?


Day 5: Consistency in Spiritual Practice
Regularly spending time with God, even if it's just a few minutes each day, can lead to significant spiritual transformation. This consistency helps us develop a deeper relationship with God and become more like Jesus. By making quiet time a daily habit, we allow God's presence to permeate our lives, transforming our thoughts, actions, and attitudes. This daily practice is not about perfection but about persistence, showing up each day to meet with God and allowing Him to work in us. [00:49]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What small, consistent step can you take today to deepen your relationship with God? How can you commit to this practice daily, even when life gets busy?

Quotes


now why do I need to spend some time focusing my thoughts my mind on Jesus because whatever you want to become you need to think about it if you want to become like Jesus you need to think about it and if you want to be like somebody you become like whoever you spend the most time with [00:00:01]

if you hang out with people who have no ambition you're going to have no ambition if you hang out with people who are critical you're going to become critical whoever you spend the most time with is who you're going to become like it's like that old cliche you can't soar with the Eagles if you're running with the turkeys [00:00:20]

so maybe there's some relationships you need to kind of you know not spend so much time with those people because they're tearing you down they're taking you down but if you spend time with Jesus 5 10 15 minutes a day then you become more and more like him now we call this a quiet time [00:00:41]

a quiet time is I don't care when you do it you just best time I think is in the morning get up and you and you go find your favorite chair and you sit down in it and you spend some time and you you read the Bible for five minutes and then you talk to God about the stuff that's on your heart [00:00:58]

God here's the stuff I'm worried about Lord here's the stuff I'm concerned about here's my schedule today I'm really stressed I need your help and then you be quiet and you let God talk to you and you say God is there anything you want to say to me and you'd be quiet [00:01:12]

reason why God's never talked to you is you've never been quiet long enough you always got the radio on and you got to just sit there and be quiet and God sometimes God will put a thought in my mind and sometimes like everything's a okay go on with your life and we and you move on [00:01:28]

God doesn't have to speak aloud to me he's the one who created radio waves and television waves he can put a thought immediately in my mind we call it inspiration [00:01:42]

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Transcript
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