Silent Night (Youth Group)

Games/Announcements

Ask group about picking up Kendra and sisters

Hit the bucket (like ultimate frisbee)

Summary

Summary – This week we are talking about the importance of Silence and Solitude in our lives. Our world is full of so many distractions that want to pull us away from what is really going on in our hearts and minds. But exercising solitude and silence can give us the space to be honest with ourselves, but also, to give room for God to speak and bring healing in our lives. We will be doing a solitude exercise so there won’t be small group questions for this lesson.

Main Idea - Solitude is a state of mind…an inward attentiveness to the condition of the heart.

Prayer Point – Pray that God would bring areas in their lives that have remained hidden to the surface as they give space for God to speak to them.

Introduction

Where does your mind go, when the TV is off, the background music is gone, your phone isn’t in your hands, nobody is around, and it’s just you and your thoughts?

For many people, silence is scary, because when all the noise dies down, we are left with our own thoughts and our own heart conditions....the reality of our lives.

And so noise and motion are constant in our lives because we invite that distraction

Baby that is crying because it got hurt analogy

This is how many people deal with their pain, or deal with their life realities

They’ll run to where there is movement and noise, which will distract them, but it won’t heal them.

Today I want to talk about a spiritual discipline that for many people is non-existent.

The disciplines of Silence and Solitude

So what is that and why is it important?

Silence and Solitude

Solitude

Solitude is a state of mind…an inward attentiveness to the condition of the heart.

It is not necessarily measured by the absence of crowds or people around you, but it is the intentional withdrawal from social engagement.

It is being aware of what is happening in your heart and mind, and then turning to God.

Silence

Silence is the quieting of external noise produced by others, but also the noise produced by oneself

E.g. Music, movies, relationships, phones, talking, doing

Solitude and silence together bring to the surface inner conflicts, distress, and longings.

This can be upsetting or painful at times, but God wants to bring healing to your life

“We can only survive solitude,” warns Dallas Willard, “if we cling to Christ there”

Why It’s Important

God speaks in the stillness

When we think of God moving or speaking, we probably think of something loud, amazing, incredible, very noticeable.

And God does move in those types of ways, but he also speaks in another way.

Give backstory

1 Kings 19:9-13 “There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elija…”

Solitude and Silence give space to be honest with where we are at with God, and to allow him to speak to us and bring healing.

What It Is Not

Isolation

Solitude is about being attentive to what is happening in your inner life, and can inlcude being alone. But being alone doesn’t mean being lonely.

Solitude is done intentionally and with a purpose

Isolation on the other hand, puts you on an island. It sets you apart from everyone else, and it breeds lonliness.

Isolation is dangerous because it steals us away from the safety of community

Herb of wilderbeasts example (killing the isolated one)

Isolation feeds thoughts like

Nobody wants you

You aren’t loveable

Just give up on life

If you died today, nobody would care

You are a failure and always will be

The enemy would love to get you alone, so he could attack you.

Modern Day Meditation

The Bible talks about mediation, and Biblical mediation is a part of solitude.

The meditation that most of you probably think, and that our culture pushes as good is found in Eastern mysticism

The devil can’t create, he can only counterfeit.

E.g. Sit like this, relax your body, focus your breathing, empty your mind

This kind of mediation is just like isolation, but in the mind.

It leaves us with empty minds…this might feel freeing and good to some people, but let me tell you why it is dangerous and the oppositie of what Scripture calls us to

Whenever there is a vacuum, something will rush to fill that space

When you empty your mind, the devil is ready and willing to find an empty space to fill with his lies, temptations, distractions

While Eastern meditation focuses on emptying our mind, Biblical meditation focuses on filling our minds....that is the key difference.

Scripture never tells us to empty our minds but to fill them

Philippians 4:8-9 - Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Solitude Thoughts and Questions

How am I doing?

How am I doing in my integrity?

How am I doing in my relationships?

How are am I doing with God?

Do I need to confess anything?

Do I need to apologize for anything?

Salvation Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus I believe you're the son of God. I believe that on the cross you took my sin, my shame, and my guilt, and you died for it. You faced hell for me so I wouldn't have to go. You rose from the dead to give me a place in heaven, a purpose on earth, and a relationship with your father. Today Lord Jesus I turn from my sin to be born again. God is my father, Jesus is my savior, the Holy Spirit is my helper, and heaven is my home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sources

https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/behavior/spiritual-disciplines-solitude-silence/

https://www.soulshepherding.org/solitude-and-silence/