Creating Space
These questions are meant to be a choose-your-own-adventure. That is, use what you like. Skip what you don’t. And add to it in any way you see fit.
Intro Questions
- If you had to describe your age by what you remember in the digital and/or technology arena, how old are you? (i.e. We didn’t have a color TV until I was 15 years old. OR I don’t remember a time without the internet.)
- What’s your favorite thing about our current technology? Not that you couldn’t live without it. You just don’t want to.
Distraction
- Richard Rolheiser has said the we are “distracting ourselves into spiritual oblivion.” What is your general reaction? Agree? Disagree?
- In what ways do you find this to be true for you?
- Where do you see it play out in culture?
Come with Me to a Quiet Place
Mark 6.30-34 – 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
- Jesus was doing this all the time – trying to get away alone or with the disciples. Why? As in, why do you think it was necessary for Jesus (even as the Son of God) to find quiet and rest?
- What has been your experience with finding silence and solitude? What are the challenges, practically, that get in the way? What rewards have you experienced?
- As often happened, though, his plans were thwarted. How does Jesus respond? What is there to learn from his response? (Soon
To the Mountainside
Mark 6.45-46 – 45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
- Here’s a perspective to try on for size – – – As people of Jesus, we get to follow his example in the way that he finds silence and solitude It’s not a command or a chore. It’s an invitation. — How does that sit with you? Thoughts? Reaction?
***Matt shared 5 benefits that arise from time alone with God.
–We discover truths we need to hear.
–We have more to give others.
–We gain clarity and direction for our lives.
–God uses solitude and silence to shape us.
–We have more (cooperately) to over the world.
