Breaking the Template Part 2
Discovering Ways to Spend Time with God that Work for You
Before We Get Started:
One of the best practical books I ever read had notes throughout that said things like: “If you don’t care about this particular topic, jump to page XY.”
I thought this was absolutely brilliant. So, let me tell you what you’ll find below so you can decide which parts will be the most helpful for you:
Breaking the Template: In this section, I dig into why it’s important to find what works for you
How to Find What Works for You: In this section, I outline some common traits and mindsets of those who have discovered what works for them. (In my personal opinion, this is the best part.)
What to Include in Your God Time: In this section, I walk through some common components that people include in their time with God and why.
While I’d love for you to read the whole thing, I know time is precious. My ultimate goal is to help you find what you need and feel empowered in your spiritual journey.
Here we go!
Breaking the Template
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been digging into what it looks like to spend time with God. Whether you call it "God Time," "Quiet Time," "Study Time," or something else…
If you’ve ever been told you should spend time with God, you’ve probably been handed a “template” of how to do it. It likely included practices like:
Prayer
Scripture Reading
Reflection (sometimes called meditation)
Journaling
Worship
etc.
Every template I’ve come across was well-intentioned and worked for someone. Unfortunately, that “someone” wasn’t always me. And let’s be honest, the person who told you about their 4 a.m. Bible study while jogging on a treadmill might be a superhero, but most of us are mere mortals.
Last week, we explored the idea that there isn’t a perfect template. What truly matters is that we’re doing something—whatever that looks like for you. Our time with God is important, so it’s important to find what works for us individually.
I reached out to about 20 people to ask them what works for them, and their responses were as diverse as they were insightful.
Here are two key takeaways that stood out:
Each person had received a template at some point that didn’t work for them
Most had experienced guilt or shame when they struggled to spend time with God or follow someone else’s template.
If this sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone.
How to Find What Works for You
When I first planned this post, my focus was on the what—what people include in their time with God and why. But as I listened to their stories, I realized that most of us need to hear about how – how do people find what works for them.
So, let’s start with the how before diving into the what.
Time > Tasks
One consistency I noticed was that those who had figured out how to have consistent and sustainable time with God had learned to value time with God rather than focus on specific tasks they felt obligated to accomplish. In every instance, certain tasks naturally followed, but they were rooted in what helped the individual connect with God, rather than in the obligation to complete a checklist.
I’m reminded of the time Jesus visited his friends Mary and Martha. Martha had her attention set on the many important tasks that needed to be completed, while Mary fixed her attention on sitting at the feet of Jesus. Martha eventually get’s frustrated with this arrangement and demands Mary’s help - check out Jesus response:
Luke 10:41-42 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Time > Tasks
I mean to take nothing from the importance of various spiritual practices, but rather to challenge us to flip the script.
Tip: If you find yourself fixated on completing tasks, try shifting your mindset. Focus on simply spending time with God, even if it means doing fewer activities. Try setting aside some time and rather than a list of tasks- see where that time leads you.
Understanding Your Personal Capacity
This isn’t about high capacity versus low capacity. It’s about understanding yourself well enough to know what is beneficial to your time with God and what isn’t.
Those who found rhythms and methods that worked for them understood things like:
How long they could read for before they really weren’t absorbing anymore. (real talk ya’ll….I feel this in my bones)
The styles of devotionals that helped them stay on track.
When they needed help
The style of Bible reading/listening that resonated with them.
Whether things like journaling were helpful and sustainable.
The limitations or opportunities built into their phase of life
The weight of difficult seasons of grief and stress
Available time
When there level of physical and mental fatigue was stretched to the limit
Trying to extend beyond your realistic capacity doesn’t set you up for success.
Jesus said this:
Matthew 11:28-30 … “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Tip: Begin paying attention to your capacity. Pay attention to what feels sustainable and life-giving, and be okay with adjusting.
Mixing It Up
I talked to some folks who did the same thing every day for years because that’s what worked for them. If you find what works for you in that way, that’s amazing.
But most of us benefit from mixing it up:
When different seasons of life require shifts in rhythms.
When a ‘template’ that was working for us gets stale.
When we are inspired to try something new.
When a plan ends, and it’s time to find something fresh.
When a single time slot isn’t working, so we split our time with God throughout the day or week.
When something intrigues or inspires you, and you pause your normal rhythm to dig into that.
When talking with my friend Jenn she shared with me that she mixes it up based on how she's feeling emotionally. She asks herself two questions; What am I feeling? and What does God say about that?
I love this relational approach. Isn’t this how we should interact with those closest to us? We should share our struggles with them and open ourselves up to their advice, encouragement and comfort.
Tip: When you feel your current routine becoming stale or losing it’s effectiveness, consider swapping out one or two elements for something new. Try a different devotional book, change your prayer routine, or switch up your scripture reading plan to keep things fresh and engaging.
I’ll share another quick example that stood out when it came to mixing it up. I was talking with my sister-in-law, Britt, who had experienced many templates that hadn’t worked for her, accompanied by the guilt that so many of us have felt. For a lot of years, she constantly mixed it up—which is awesome.
One day, she read a book and did a journal with her small group, and through that experience, she discovered a rhythm and method of spending time with God that fit her really well and she’s held onto that for a long time now.
A happy byproduct of mixing it up may be that you find something that fits you just right.
Get Creative
Those who found what worked for them got creative.
A great example is my friend Michele, who shifted jobs and suddenly found herself with an hour-plus commute. At first, she kept her old God-time schedule and method, but it wasn’t working out. Over a short season, she got creative and figured out how to make her commute a dedicated time with God.
She listens to scripture, reflects, worships, and prays (I'm hoping with her eyes open...)
As she creatively molded her new God-time she made key observations like how long she could listen to scripture before her mind drifted, so she began to use landmarks to time each component of her God-time.
This reminds me a little of what my husband does when taking the kids to school in the morning. They have a particular traffic light they call “prayer light” that cues them to pray for their school day.
I talked to someone who use their morning bathroom routine to start their day with prayer. (I know this may be TMI, but if you’re a parent with young kids, this might be the only time in the morning when you’re sitting down and semi-alone!)
A lot of folks listen to scripture, devotional podcasts, or Bible study books while doing mindless tasks like commuting, working out, or doing chores. This method works great for me personally because I’m distractible, so a mindless tasks absorb that distraction energy and helps me focus.
Some opted to spend time with God throughout the day instead of trying to do it all in one sitting because of their schedules or because that’s what worked best for them.
Your time with God can—but doesn’t always have to—look like an Instagram-able sunrise, a perfectly quiet place, or a traditional format. Get creative.
After all,
2 Corinthians 3:17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
Tip: Look at your daily routine and identify pockets of time you might be able to spend time with God. It might be during a commute, while doing chores, or even while exercising. Think outside the box and find what works for your current season of life.
Find Community
Community is something we all need, especially community with other followers of Jesus.
My friend Clayton shared with me that his time with God really revolves around short passages of scripture and daily community and communication. He and his family follow a shared reading plan and they talk about it in their family text thread. The coolest part for me was the fact that Clayton and his wife Katie have two teenage sons that are a part of this. How special to not only share your heart with your teenagers but also learn from them and how God is speaking to them.
My kids are too young for cell phones, but this is something we’ll be doing in the Richard house in the future 100%!
I’ve often heard people insist that your personal time with God should be done in isolation, and I would have agreed with them, but after talking with some folks who leverage community as a part of their time with God, I’ve been converted.
If we take a really big step back and consider our roots -the early church didn’t have the Bible in the format that you and I do. Even if they had letters from apostles and others, they probably didn’t have physical copies in their hands or could have even read them in many instances. Learning and growing happened together.
We get a glimpse of how the early church did this in the book of Acts:
Acts 2:42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer.
Whether you’re following a reading plan with others, meeting over coffee or in a small group, or just having periodic conversations with others about life and God, community can be a great component of your time with God.
Tip: If you’re not already connected with others in your spiritual journey, consider seeking some out. Community can bring a new dimension to your time with God.
Do Something
Something I observed several times—and have experienced in my own life—is that when we can’t achieve the ideal God-time, we just don’t do anything at all.
This is where the elements above can be so beneficial because when we:
Value time over tasks.
Understand our capacity.
Mix it up.
Get creative.
Find community.
Doing something becomes a lot easier.
My favorite verse in scripture is a somewhat obscure verse found in the book of Zechariah.
In this portion of scripture a man named Zerubbabel is in charge of rebuilding the Jewish Temple and the building progress is going very slowly. The people are impatient and unhappy because this slow progress does not look like they believe that it should and is falling far below their expectations.
This was God’s message to them:
Zechariah 4:10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
If you don’t know what a plum line is, it’s the simplest of tools made up of a weight tied to the end of a string and it’s used to make sure that what is being built is straight, lines up, and that is being built the way that it should be.
It is not a tool that makes outwardly visible progress, but even so, it’s a crucial and intentional step that needs to happen often and cannot be overlooked– and this is exactly what doing something is.
And I believe that when we do something, God rejoices to see the work begin.
What to Include in Your God Time
Here are some common practices people use in their time with God!
Prayer:
Prayer is a foundational component of spending time with God. Prayer can take many forms, from short, spontaneous prayers throughout your day to more structured times of deep conversation with God.
Tip: If you’re looking for a simple structure, try the ACTS prayer model—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. This can help guide your prayers and ensure you’re covering different aspects of your relationship with God.
Give it a google if you want more info!
Scripture Reading:
Whether you follow a structured reading plan or focus on a single verse each day, engaging with Scripture is key to growing in your faith.
A great reminder is
Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Scripture guides us, comforts us, and draws us closer to God.
Tip: Find a rhythm that works for you—whether it’s reading a chapter a day, listening to Scripture during your commute, or reflecting on the verse of the day. Remember, the goal is to draw closer to God, not just to check off a task.
Reflection or Meditation:
Taking time to reflect or meditate on God’s word is an important practice that allows you to internalize what you’ve read or heard. This could be as simple as sitting quietly and thinking about a particular verse, or it could involve a more structured meditation practice.
Psalm 1:2 talks about the person who meditates on God’s law "day and night.”. This kind of meditation helps us absorb God’s word more deeply.
Tip: Consider using prompts like, "What is God saying to me through this scripture?" or "How does this apply to my life today?"
Journaling:
Writing down your thoughts, prayers, and reflections can be a powerful way to process what God is teaching you. Journaling can help you track your spiritual growth over time and remind you of how God has worked in your life.
Tip: If journaling feels daunting, start small. Even a few sentences can be impactful.
Worship:
Worship isn’t just something that happen during a church service. Whether through singing, listening to worship music, or simply expressing gratitude, worship can help you connect with God on a deeper level.
Psalm 100:2 encourages us to "Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs" . Worship opens our hearts to God in a unique way.
Tip: Try incorporating worship into different parts of your day, like during your morning routine or while driving.
Community:
As mentioned earlier, engaging with others can be a key part of your spiritual life. Whether it’s discussing a Bible passage with a friend, attending a small group, or sharing your insights with your family, community can enrich your time with God.
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another
Tip: Consider setting up regular check-ins with a friend or group to discuss what you’re learning and experiencing in your spiritual life.
Service:
Serving others is a powerful way to live out your faith. Whether through volunteering, helping a neighbor, or simply being kind– service can be an expression of your time with God in action.
Jesus set the ultimate example of service when He washed His disciples’ feet and said,
John 13:15 - "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you."
Tip: Look for small, everyday ways to serve those around you as part of your regular routine.
Silence and Solitude:
In our busy world, taking time for silence and solitude can be incredibly refreshing. It’s an opportunity to be still before God and listen for His voice without distractions. Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray showing us the importance of silence and solitude in our spiritual lives.
Mark 1:35 - Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Tip: Even a few minutes of silence each day can make a big difference in your spiritual life.
Gratitude:
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can transform your perspective.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Tip: Try starting or ending your day by listing three things you’re grateful for.
Creativity:
Using your creative gifts can be a unique way to connect with God. Whether it’s drawing, writing, playing an instrument, or any other creative activity – this can be a form of worship and reflection.
Tip: Don’t worry about the outcome—focus on the process and how it helps you connect with God.
Wrapping Up and Looking Forward
I hope this has been helpful for you as you continue to grow in your faith, it has been for me!
Next week I’m going to start a 6 week journey called ......
For and Against
All too often, followers of Jesus are known more for what they are against than what they are for. This is saddening but, unfortunately, not surprising when the soundtrack of our current culture seems to be a never-ending chorus of "for's" and much louder "against's."
In the midst of this chaos, there are two important questions we need to be asking as followers of Jesus:
What was Jesus “for?”
And
What was Jesus against?
This six-week study will take an in-depth look at these two critical questions with no agenda but to draw nearer to Jesus.
I hope you’ll join me as we learn together!
Sherri
