By Levi Warren
Optional Kids Practice
Invite the kids in your group to be with the adults for a few minutes. Explain to them that the grown ups are going to be talking about Silence and Solitude and you want to include them by talking about it with them for a few minutes. Once they seem ready to engage, lead them through the following prompts.
Read Mark 6v31-32 and ask the following questions.
- Why did Jesus want his friends to come with him to a quiet place where no one else was around?
- Have you ever felt the need for quiet, alone time to rest? How did you feel after having that time?
End by telling the kids that Jesus has always wanted to spend quiet time with those he loves (including them), and spending time in Silence and Solitude can help them connect better with Jesus.
Begin with prayer
Gather together as a Community in a comfortable setting. Spend a moment in silence, in the presence of Jesus and each other. Have one person read Psalm 46v10 over the group and then pray to ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your time together.
Debrief the most recent teaching and practice
- What did you take away from the most recent teaching and how has God been using that to add to your life?
- What was it like incorporating centering prayer into your time of Silence and Solitude this week? What did you find easy or difficult about the practice?
Read this overview
Sometimes, it’s difficult for us to think about a time that has us simply “sitting and doing nothing” as being productive or worthwhile. We can feel that the old adage is true, “if you are not advancing, you are retreating.” The world wants to tell us that activity and busyness are the way to achieve things in this world and even wants to define us by our productive output. But Silence and Solitude is a practice far from being unproductive, and it’s not about doing nothing. It’s that what we are gaining might not be immediately visible and quantifiable.
Jesus knew what it meant to be busy and to work overtime. In Mark 6, we read about Jesus and his disciples being so busy with people that they didn’t even have time to eat. So Jesus said to his disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” But when Jesus got to the quiet place, the crowds were already there waiting for him. Once again, he ministered to the people until he was finally able to get some time alone.
Jesus knows first-hand that while Silence and Solitude might disrupt our productive output, it’s actually a practice that’s important for advancing internally. It gives us a chance to rest, reflect, and connect with our Father, and it’s one way that we are shaped more into the image of Jesus.
Discuss the following prompts
- How do you feel about Silence and Solitude being a practice that disrupts your productivity?
- In what ways do you see Silence and Solitude helping you to gain ground or advance, internally?
- If Silence and Solitude have been helping you to change internally, what effect has that had on your overall life?
Practicing right now
In just a moment, you’ll discuss the Practice for this coming week, which will include a longer session of Silence and Solitude. Right now, spend some time as a group problem-solving any barriers that might come up for scheduling 30-60 minutes of Silence and Solitude.
How can you help each other to successfully incorporate a longer practice of Silence and Solitude into this coming week? Do you feel apprehensive or excited about this prospect? What are your expectations for a longer time of Silence and Solitude?
Practicing this week
This week, you’ll amp up your time of Silence and Solitude by aiming to have at least one longer session.
It may take some planning with the busyness of work social, and family obligations, but set aside at least one time to practice Silence and Solitude for 30-60 minutes. If it feels helpful, take notes during this time on what you’re feeling or thinking, and just work not to let it become a distraction from the Silence and Solitude itself. You can also jot down some notes at the very end of your time.
This may seem like a very long time to sit in Silence and Solitude, but just like with shorter times of practice, it’s about taking time to sit quietly in the presence of God. It may help to think of it as a time of relational connection.
After your experience, consider what emotions, thoughts, or distractions were in play and whether the time felt difficult or easy. Did you feel close to or distant from God? Connected or disconnected from him?
Be prepared to share your experience with your Community the next time you meet.
Close in prayer
End by spending half a minute or so in silence, and then have someone pray over the group.