What is the Rhythm of 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 family) questions as ways to start wading into the waters of this time with God.

TO READ: 1 Kings 19:1-9

TO DISCUSS:

(1.) If you had one extra hour in your day this week, how would you choose to spend it?

(2.) Elijah’s encounter with the Lord was a powerful moment of intervention and renewal for his prophetic role. Can you think of other examples where someone withdrew to seek strength from God in the Scriptures?

(3.) A life that never embraces solitude can become vulnerable to pushback, self-deception, or a false sense of independence. Which of these three do you think poses the greatest threat to your relationship with God?”

TO CLOSE/TO PRAY:

We invite you to close small group by simply asking God to create a people who spend time in the quiet with God for the sake of reflecting on where we are, who we are becoming and what we hope to become by praying the words of King David in Psalm 139: 23-24:

“Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.”