SPENDING TIME WITH GOD

A lesson about how to daily spend time with God.

As you read this lesson, be sure to hover over the the Bible verses to read them or look them up in your own copy of the Bible. When the Bible passage is longer, you need to click on “more” in the bottom right corner of the pop-up window.

Introduction

Welcome! The Bible has much to say about this interesting topic. You may find it helpful to invite a mature Christian from your church to study this topic with you. You may have a lot of questions that are not answered here. Maybe there are ideas here that seem hard to understand. Do not get overwhelmed! You can contact us with any questions that you may have. The elders of your local church can help you as well.

Remember that learning the content about this topic is helpful, but knowing the information will not truly change you. For you to benefit fully from this topic, you must…

• Become born-again by securing a personal relationship with God the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, through faith by grace. This information cannot change you until the Holy Spirit of God gives you a new heart that is able to apply it to your life. To begin a personal relationship with God, it is imperative to understand and believe the following:

  • God is separated from you, because He is good, pure, and holy. 1 John 1:5-6

  • You are sinful, impure, and unholy because you do not measure up to God’s holiness. Romans 3:10-12 You are a descendent of Adam and Eve who rebelled against God. Romans 5:19

  • Your sinfulness provokes God’s anger and separates you from Him because He is holy. Romans 5:12 As a result, you deserve to be thrown into the Lake of Fire forever. Revelation 20:14-15

  • God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Jesus is God in the flesh. He lived a sinless life. He was nailed to the cross, shed His blood, and died in your place for your sins. He was buried, rose again, and went to Heaven to prepare a place for all who believe. He will return one day for those who believe. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

  • Only the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is enough for you to be accepted forever by God the Father the moment you believe. John 3:16 God does not accept you on the basis that you try to be a good person and do good works. Romans 4:5 He accepts you fully and forever the moment you abandon your sins and call on Jesus to save you. John 3:36

• As you understand, meditate on, and believe the information presented here about this topic, you must also do what the Bible says. James 1:21-22 Only by trusting and obeying God’s Word regarding this topic will you experience the full benefits of this information. James 1:23-24 Trusting and obeying God’s Word will change you as you learn this. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 You will be happy as a result of your obedience. James 1:25

• Seek and heed the advice of your church leaders regarding this topic. Hebrews 13:17

• Depend upon the Holy Spirit to change you. Galatians 3:1-3 You cannot change without Him enabling you. John 15:5 He will change you in His time and way; but not apart from your faith and obedience to God’s Word. Trust Him to do His work in your heart. Philippians 2:12-13

• Allow the joy that you experience from obeying God’s Word to transform how you interact with others. James 2:12-20

What is it?

Your daily meeting with God is a special time:

• that you devote to focusing on Him.

• that is meant for you to get to know Him as a person.

• when God is developing you as His child by interacting with your heart.

• when you and He are talking to each other. God speaks to you through the Bible and you speak to Him through prayer.

Your daily meeting with God is a special time when you learn more deeply about themes such as:

• God.

• Yourself.

• what God thinks of your heart.

• whether you are doing right or wrong.

• what kind of person God wants you to be.

• your response to what you have learned to do.

How to spend time with God

Following are some suggestions concerning your time with God that you may wish to incorporate as you like.

Pray

• Greet God.

• Note your prayer requests.

• Note the prayer requests of others.

• Note how God answers your prayers.

• Praise God for His character and ways.

• Thank God for how He answers your prayers.

• Confess your sins.

• Pray for your and others’ requests.

Read the Bible

• Begin with one book of the Bible.

• It is best to read God’s Word systematically each day.

• Write down something that is special about what you have read.

• Write down a short summary of the passage. You might want to include a chapter title.

• Write down what the passage says about God.

• Write down what the passage says about you.

• Write down what the passage says about what God wants you to do.

• Write down how you will obey God today.

• Quietly reflect and think about God.

• Pray again.

• Tell someone about what you learned today.

Other Ideas

• Focus on being who God wants you to be.

• Pattern your thoughts after what God thinks, based upon what you learned.

• You should do what you know to do in order to grow.

• You should recall repeatedly what you have learned.

• You should stop doing what is wrong and obey God’s Word.

• Write a prayer about what you have read.

• Pick a daily or weekly memory verse on which to focus.

• It is sometimes better to read less than more in order to absorb it completely.

• Some believers prefer to spend time with God in the evening, while others meet with Him in the morning. Some do both. A morning start can be beneficial in giving God first place and making sure your focus is correct for the day.

• Use a concordance.

• Use a dictionary.

• Use the Bible verse cross reference in the margin of your bible.

• Spend some time worshipping God by singing.

Conclusion

Now that you have studied this topic, we encourage you to...

• Ask us or any of your church leaders about any questions or concerns you still have about this topic.

• Pray for yourself to grow in maturity regarding this topic.

• Do your best to practice what you have learned.

• Tell someone else about what you have studied.

• Ask one of your church leaders to help you overcome your weaknesses regarding this topic.

• Teach this subject to others.

• Consider reviewing this topic once each year.

• Commit to growing in this area together with other members of a local church.

• Trust the Holy Spirit to change you as He uses His Word, others, and circumstances to make you more like Christ.