Silence and Solitude- Spiritual Disciplines

Introduction Questions:

Do you think solitude is necessary for your spiritual development? What about silence?

What are the challenges you face to implementing these practices in your life?

What are they?

Silence- “The Discipline of silence is the voluntary and temporary abstention from speaking so that certain spiritual goals might be sought.”

Often done in order to read the bible, pray, journal, etc.

Can be time used to pray to God, practice biblical self-talk, or to simply focus on God.

Solitude- “Solitude is the Spiritual Discipline of voluntarily and temporarily withdrawing to privacy for spiritual purposes.”

Can be anything from a few moments to a few days.

Is there to assist with the practicing of the other disciplines.

How to think of these practices:

Complementary to Fellowship

Usually found together

Very much against the grain of our culture.

“More than any generation in history we must discipline ourselves to enjoy the blessings of silence and solitude. Therefore, be careful not to let the world prejudice you against the biblical witness on the importance of these matters.”- Donald Whitney

Why practice Silence and Solitude:

To follow Jesus’s example (Matt. 4:11, 14:13; Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42)

If Christ Himself did it, in order to appropriately commune with the Father, we ought to as well.

To minimize distractions in prayer

With a thousand things clamoring for our attention it can be hard to effectively focus on God in prayer.

Though not a must, it is helpful to isolate to focus the mind.

To express worship to God

Silence and Solitude help us direct our attention to God.

We are better able to meditate on His blessings when He becomes the sole thing our minds are directed toward.

To express faith in God

A quiet, stillness can be a sign of a deep trust in the sovereign hand of God.

To seek the salvation of the Lord

For those who are seeking God, or contempleting following Jesus, quiet reflection and meditation on the implications of the gospel and one’s own sinfulness are critically important.

To be physically and spiritually restored

We are meant to rest, the Sabbath being a perfect example of this.

Sabbath is meant to be a time to slow down from work and focus one’s mind on God.

If God weaved this into the natural fabric of the universe, it clearly is beneficial to His followers.

See your time of silence and solitude as times to rest in God.

To regain spiritual perspective

“In other words, what we are when we are alone is what we really are. If we habitually seek God and His perspective through His Word when we are alone—and not just at church or when with other Christians—then we may be hopeful that we do know God.”

To seek the will of God

Often there are times in life where God guides His people during their time of silence and solitude.

To tame the tongue

Practicing silence and solitude makes us slower to speak, grows our ability to listen, and make a person deeper, giving weight to the words they share when they speak.

Ways to Implement:

Minute Retreats

Daily Silence and Solitude

Extended times with a plan

Special Place

Trading off

Find the Margins

Concluding Questions:

How would you respond to the idea “Who you are when you’re alone is who you really are?” Does your current time of solitude reflect a heart for God?

How can you begin to better implement these practices in the in your everyday rhythms of life? If you’re married how can you support your spouse in this venture?