Rule of Life for the Future Church: Solitude & Silence (03.08.21)

Together Practicing Our Rule of Life And Unpacking Our Future Church Sermon Series

Leader’s Note

Opening Prayer

After the group welcomes one another, have one person open in prayer and then take 5 minutes of silence. As you sit in silence, ask the Holy Spirit to help you be lovingly open to God and your groupmates.

Sermon Response

Sunday’s sermon focused on fear, peace, and the practice of solitude & silence. Use these questions as a jumping off point for an open group discussion:

  1. Learning: What did you find surprising, compelling, or challenging from the sermon, especially the sermon text Luke 5:15-16 and Isaiah 26:3?
  2. Confession: In what ways do you find yourself addicted to noise? What are the anxieties or fears that noise helps you avoid?
  3. Invitation: What do you believe God is inviting you into through this sermon and scripture?
  4. Practice: How have you experienced the spiritual practice of solitude & silence? What could it look like to encourage one another in this practice?

Repeatable Sharing on Rule of Life

Though over the coming months and years we will slowly expand to eight practices, our church is officially keeping three foundational practices in our Rule of Life right now:

Share about your experience of the Rule of Life honestly, prompted by the questions below, and follow these steps for each person sharing:

  1. Share – A person responds to any of the prompts below.
  2. Discern – The group pauses for 30-60 seconds to take in what was shared. After pausing the sharer can add anything they want, and the group can ask clarifying questions.
  3. Offer – The group gets to make offers of support for the person, such as offering prayers, one-on-one connections, financial care, acts of service, verses from scripture, or words of encouragement.
  4. Bless – One person in the group prays blessing over whoever shared.

If helpful, set a timer to make room for everyone to share or allow your group to focus on just a few people each week.

Take turns responding to any of these questions:

Closing Intercession

Pray for your group, our church, our city, and our world.