Silence & Solitude

silence_.mp4

PRAY:

Have someone read 1 Peter 4:8 aloud. After you read it, spend a minute or two silently reflecting on the passage. Then spend some time praying as a group for anything that 1 Peter 4:8 draws to your mind or stirs up in your heart.

ONE ANOTHERING:

Try to think of some practical needs you can share to give others the opportunity to step up and love you. It's okay if it takes some time to get comfortable with this. It takes time and practice to be vulnerable with one another... but amazing things happen when we are. Remember that the Benevolence Ministry is a resource for our comGroups.

  • How can we love or serve one another this week?

READ:

Mark 1:35; Luke 6:16

  • Throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. How do you think this practice affected Jesus’ emotionally and spiritually? What are some challenges Jesus would have faced in making time for this practice? Do you face similar challenges?

PRACTICE:

Review this practice together and try it out individually this week.


  • Identify a time and place that works best for you.
  • Set a reasonable goal. (If you’re new to this, start small. Try for 10 minutes a day, 3-5 days this week)
  • Eliminate distractions. (Turn off the T.V., radio, cell phone)
  • Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Take deep, slow breaths. Enjoy the life-giving gift of breath from God.
  • After a few minutes, transition your focus from your breath to the reality of God’s presence with you.
  • Don’t feel obligated to do anything. Just relax and enjoy being still and silent with God.
  • End with a short prayer of thanks and commit the rest of your day to your Heavenly Father.

Don’t judge yourself or get angry if your mind begins to wander or you can’t make it through the entire time. This is a practice and it takes practice.

SHARE:

  • What time and place will work best for you?
  • What will be your biggest potential distraction?
  • How do you feel about the idea of focusing on your breathing?
  • How do you think you will do with not doing anything?
  • What fears or hesitations do you have about this practice?
  • What hopes or expectations do you have about this practice?

"Stop focusing on being productive. Start focusing on being a person sitting in the presence of God. There is nothing more productive than sitting in the healing presence of God."