Silence and Solitude

(Here is the study for this Sunday, June 29)

Silence and Solitude
The Discipline in Focus
The practice of being silent and of solitude involves scheduling enough uninterrupted time in a distraction-free environment that you experience isolation and are alone with God. This practice includes giving God time that is not in competition with social contact, noise and stimulation, taking a retreat, observing the Sabbath by abstaining from constant interaction with others, information and activities, addressing any lustful desire to be seen or heard by others or have the attention of others, and practicing other spiritual disciplines alone: study, prayer, journaling and etc….

Solitude and Silence is the spiritual discipline (for the purpose of godliness) that is a voluntary and temporary withdrawing to privacy for spiritual purposes. Being alone with God whether its for minutes or hours.

Purposes of Silence and Solitude and Scripture to Study
1. The practice of Silence and Solitude as exampled by Jesus – Matthew 4:1, Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 4:42. (To be like Jesus it is important to find time for silence and solitude.)
2. Helps us hear the voice of God better – 1 Kings 19:11-13, Galatians 1:17.
3. To express worship to God – Worship can consist of God-focused stillness. Habakkuk 2:20, Zephaniah 1:7. It is not just silence that we are seeking but it is silence before God.
4. To express faith in God – Psalm 62. The simple act of silence before God instead of a nervous wordiness can be a demonstration of faith in Him. Isaiah 30:15.
5. To seek the salvation of the Lord – A time of silence and solitude to seek the salvation of the Lord can refer either to a nonChristian seeking salvation from sin and guilt in Christ or to a believer seeking God’s salvation from certain circumstances. Lamentations 3:25-28. It is important not to minimize the importance of silence and solitude when one is considering the state of his soul.
6. To be physically and spiritually restored – Mark 6:31.
7. To regain a spiritual perspective – Silence and Solitude can help us gain a less worldly perspective. Luke 1:20.
8. To seek the will of God – Luke 6:12-13. God often makes his will clear in public places but there are times when He shows us in private.
9. To learn control of the tongue – Being silent for extended amounts of time can help us control our tongue in public. Proverbs 17:27-28. James 1:19. In a period of silence you may discern that many of the things you think you need to say you really don’t need to say. We learn to trust and rely on God’s control rather than trying to control the a situation through our words.

A Practical Response
1. If silence is new for you, begin with being silent for 10 minutes. Set a timer if you need to. Take the opportunity to think about Christ and enjoy being in God’s presence through Christ’s work on the cross.
2. Get away for times of silence – Find an empty room in the house or at the church.
3. Read a passage of Scripture and then stop and think about it. Spend time in private worship of the Creator.
4. Help someone else in your family or a close friend find time alone with God. Ask them to help you. Take on their responsibilities or chores for a specified amount of time so they can spend some time with the Lord and vice versa.



Respond
1. Besides sleeping, how much time this past week did you spend alone in silence (no music, tv, game system, other people)?
2. Does silence bother you? Do you get bored quick? Why?
3. In your words what would be the purpose of spending time in silence and solitude?
4. Why do you think people resist being alone?
5. What tends to pop into your mind when you are alone?
6. When have you felt most comfortable being alone? Uncomfortable?
7. Do you think God values time with you in silence? Explain.