Ask: Tell about your prayer experience. What was difficult? What was revealed to you in this time?

Transcription

1 Week 3: Solitude

2 Check-In (3 min) Take a moment to get familiar with the members of your group. Some of you may be lifelong friends, while others you hardly know. Introduce yourself to one another and keep it casual. Ask: Tell about your prayer experience. What was difficult? What was revealed to you in this time? This study booklet and its content has been adapted and/or directly replicated from the LeaderTreks 1 Week Field Guide, TLE Blog, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christians Life, and Serendipity Bible for Groups.

3 Scripture Read Psalm 51: 5-12 David asks to be restored in 51:7-12. What does the word restore imply? What part does David play in the restoration of his relationship with God and what role does he ask God to take? Why did David approach the restoration of his relationship in this way? Where, according to 51:6 and 10, does God desire the work of cleansing to begin and what it the significance of this? In Biblical terms, create means to make something out of nothing: and in Scripture, only God creates. In light of these facts, what is the significance of David s request in 51:10? In what ways are David s words encouraging to you as a believer who is justified and redeemed by Christ s death and resurrection?

4 Solitude This week s challenge is to practice the spiritual discipline of solitude. Definition Solitude is the voluntary and temporarily withdrawing to privacy for spiritual purposes. Solitude Is An aspect of silent prayer/worship Solitude Is NOT A time spent alone relaxing or napping A time of silence and listening, focused on Christ A breathing exercise A temporary period of withdrawal lasting a few minutes or days An extended period of isolation from the community of faith Taking pleasure in being alone with God

5 Valuable Reasons for Solitude Follow Jesus example To hear the voice of God better To express worship to God To express faith in God To seek the salvation of the Lord To be physically and spiritually restored To regain a spiritual perspective To seek the will of God To learn control of tongue Practicing Solitude Place yourself in God s presence Express your desire Be with Jesus Listen Be Still Enjoy

6 Discuss Do you wish God s voice was louder in your life? Does all the noise in our lives make it harder to hear God? Have you spent the same amount of time worrying and talking about your difficult, confusing situations as you have spent in silence, listening to what God might have to say? Do you sometimes avoid silence because you re afraid of what God might actually have to say? Read Mark 6:30-46.How does Jesus respond to the disciples busyness and weariness? Do you ever live or feel as if God would say something quite different when you re worn out? Would you say that your daily life feels crowded and noisy, whether outwardly or inwardly (vv.30-34)? Explain. How do you typically remedy or cope with this? Jesus invites us to solitude with him and stillness before him (vv ). Why are these elements so important to our growth in relationship with God? Why do we seem to resist solitude and stillness, even when we crave it? According to this passage, who is Jesus and what does he offer us? How would trusting in Him provide rest and stillness, even in the midst of a crowded, broken, and chaotic world? How are the following words from Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, helpful to you: Jesus calls us from loneliness to solitude. Our fear of being alone drives us to noise and crowds. We keep up a steady stream of words even if they are inane. But loneliness or clatter are not our only alternatives. We can cultivate an inner solitude and silence that sets us free from loneliness and fear. Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment. Discussion questions are excerpted and adapted from the Meridian Hill Neighborhood Group Discussion Guide GraceDC Meridian Hill and the Nooma Noise Discussion Guide Zondervan.

7 Challenge Before you embark on your challenge, reflect on the following: Does your schedule, your time, your life look like that of a person who wants to hear God s voice? What are some things in your daily life you can change to eliminate some of the noise? Designate one of the following challenges to practice: 1 hour of solitude 2 hours of solitude Think about your schedule this next week. When and where will you set aside this time in your schedule to be with God? How will you follow through with this plan and stay centered during your time of solitude?

8 Challenge Cont. Suggestions for Solitude Set goal of daily/weekly Solitude Plan your time of Solitude Find a special place for Solitude o Car o Walking path o Room/chair Leave distracting devices/noises/people behind Open in a Word of Prayer Bring Notebook/Bible/or impactful book Don t worry if your mind wanders. When you realize you are drifting, re-center, refocus, and open yourself to receive God s voice. Listen Even if you are provided with only a few seconds, even if it s not an absolutely quiet or completely solitary place, enjoy the restoration found in the conscious presence of Jesus Christ - Donald Whitney Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

9 Prayer Journal This prayer journal is a tool to help you go deeper in the time you spend in prayer. Record your prayers by: Adoration- Praising God by reflecting on and speaking about who He is. Confession- Once we recognize who God is, we come face to face with who we are-sinners. We confess our sins because God is holy, just, and forgiving. Thanksgiving- We are grateful for a life free from the chains of sin. We no longer carry the guilt and shame of our sin, so we approach God with grateful hearts thanking Him for His great work in our lives. Supplication- Now that our perspective is clear about who God is, who we are, and why we are thankful, we can come to Him with our requests.

10 Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication

11 Suggested Readings This week, as you engage in the spiritual discipline of repentance, here are some scriptures to reflect upon: Jesus Example of Solitude Matthew 4:1, 14:23 Mark 1:35, 6:30-46 Luke 4:42 Scriptures to Read/Reflect During Times of Solitude Psalm 46:10 Psalm 62: 1-2 Psalm 112:7-8 Lamentations 3:25-27 Psalm 63:1-11 Matthew 5:1-16 Colossians 3: 1-17

12 Notes Use this space to record notes or insights from your gathering or challenge experience.