Having problems with quiet times

[Musician4Jesus]

Devotions, time alone w/God however you want to refer to it.

One of the HUGE symptoms of aspergers is unless you are very interested in something it's extremely difficult to focus/poor attention span. You also find it dull and boring if it's not something you're interested in.

I am having a very difficult time with devotions, because of having a very bad attention span/have a difficult time concentrating. It's not because I don't have an interest in God, developing a deeper relationship w/Him (i.e. by reading His word).

The other problem is I just don't know where to start. With the exception of a few books (Eccelsiates, Proverbs, Psalms) I don't understand the OT at all.

The other response is 'just start reading anywhere in the Bible' which really doesn't work for me. I've tried that before, and end up not being consistent with devotions as a result.

 

[NapoliaDinosaur]

Devotions, time alone w/God however you want to refer to it.

One of the HUGE symptoms of aspergers is unless you are very interested in something it's extremely difficult to focus/poor attention span. You also find it dull and boring if it's not something you're interested in.

I am having a very difficult time with devotions, because of having a very bad attention span/have a difficult time concentrating. It's not because I don't have an interest in God, developing a deeper relationship w/Him (i.e. by reading His word).

The other problem is I just don't know where to start. With the exception of a few books (Eccelsiates, Proverbs, Psalms) I don't understand the OT at all.

The other response is 'just start reading anywhere in the Bible' which really doesn't work for me. I've tried that before, and end up not being consistent with devotions as a result.

One thing you can do is try to shift your interests. This can take time and a lot of effort, but it is possible. As someone with Asperger's, there will generally be a small number of concentrated interests. If you can intentionally diminish your time (and your focus) with some of those interests, and let your "interest" in God take the place instead, that will help.

As far as reading the Bible, since you have difficulty understanding the OT, try getting a concordance or just looking online for help with understanding parts of the OT you might be confused about. You could also just stick to the OT sections you do understand, and stay mostly in the NT.

Pick a specific book in the NT (Paul's epistles/letters are generally a good place to start) and read through it slowly, making sure you understand every line and letting them all sink in. If that doesn't work well, then pick a topic that applies to your life (for example, if someone made you mad, you could pick anger), and then go to a topical search site to find verses that apply to that topic. I use the OpenBible site frequently for this, as it helps me find verses that apply directly to my life. Check it out: Topical Bible - Bible Verses by Topic

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[dayhiker]

If a quiet time doesn't work for you, then consider looking for something else. Many people have found a quiet time to be very meaningful. But the Bible doesn't say we have to have a quiet time. Maybe have a walk time, meditation time, or a journal time. When do you feel closest to God, make a time that has that as a major factor. God created us as unique individuals, so God relates to us that way. We can relate back to God in the uniqueness that He created us in.

 

[Letter Never Sent]

I've been trying to find a way to read regularly as well. Right now I listen to sermons while using the treadmill. I've looked for an online Bible study but never found what I was looking for. I thought facebook might have a "study the Bible in 1 year" group to join, but they all never get started or fizzle out after 2 weeks.

BTW - what instrument do you play Musician4Jesus?

 

[1watchman]

Hello friend. Let me suggest you stay with the New Testament in your readings, and only go to the OT to see how God related to Israel under that age.

Salvation is only in the NT today (for Israel's hope was in their obedience and animal sacrifices as a type of the sacrifice the Lord Jesus made for all by His own blood --the only blood that can cleanse sin). You can see the essence of it in John 1; John 3; John 14. Ask God earnestly to teach you what that means to you (though it is quite plain).

 

[beakybird]

Devotions, time alone w/God however you want to refer to it.

One of the HUGE symptoms of aspergers is unless you are very interested in something it's extremely difficult to focus/poor attention span. You also find it dull and boring if it's not something you're interested in.

I am having a very difficult time with devotions, because of having a very bad attention span/have a difficult time concentrating. It's not because I don't have an interest in God, developing a deeper relationship w/Him (i.e. by reading His word).

The other problem is I just don't know where to start. With the exception of a few books (Eccelsiates, Proverbs, Psalms) I don't understand the OT at all.

The other response is 'just start reading anywhere in the Bible' which really doesn't work for me. I've tried that before, and end up not being consistent with devotions as a result.

I hear you about not understanding the OT at all. I'm not even sure why it's a part of the Bible myself (not saying it shouldn't be just that I don't understand why)

I understand that issue of not being interested except to me it's the reading part. I can spend quiet time chatting away with God or in solemn prayer, going for a walk through the park and looking like a lunatic talking into the air out loud, but I don't care. But it's so hard to "care" when your not really interested but are trying to be. VERY frustrating.

Let me know if you come up with a solution, I could use some ideas myself as I'm at the end of my rope with patience.

 

[Letter Never Sent]

I'm putting together an online Bible fellowship. We'll study the NT one chapter at a time. If anyone is interested PM me for more info.