Solitude (Part 3): What Could Happen If We Practice Solitude?

TO START: In our journey of being filled with all of what God wants to give us we have focused on five particular rhythms to incorporate for this season (although there are many more). These five rhythms include Sabbath, Solitude, Fasting, Generosity, & Witness.  So, for our opening Fall series, we are jumping into the rhythm of solitude. 

At RRCOC,  we define solitude as the practice of withdrawing from internal and external noise to be present to ourselves and to God. Solitude is simple to define, but less easy to practice, so the guide below will give you and your small group questions as ways to start wading into the waters of this time with God. 

TO READ: Luke 1:5-20

TO DISCUSS:

(1.) In your circle of relationships, who is someone you’ve seen practice solitude and silence, and what fruit have you noticed in their life because of it?

(2.) Have you ever gone through a season of life, like Elizabeth and Zechariah, where you felt you were doing everything right, yet things still seemed to go wrong?

(3.) What routine or repetitive practice in your faith do you trust God to use—not only to shape you, but also to bless those around you and even those who come after you?

TO CLOSE/TO PRAY:

We invite you to close small group by practicing listening prayer. Simply read the story again from above (Luke 1:5-20) aloud and then ask the question, “God, is there anything you were highlighting to me in the story?” Then,  sit in silence for 3 minutes (set a timer) and close by inviting anyone to share a word, phrase, impression in response to the question followed by a prayer of gratitude for the ways God continues to speak through Scripture.