Mark 1: 8-12

1) Called by Christ:

1Peter 5:10, Ephesians 2:10, 1Peter 2:9

2) Capable Through Christ:

Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:37, 2 Corinthians 3: 4-5

3) Complete In Christ:

2Peter1: 3, Colossians 2: 9-10

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.  

Mark 1: 14-15

Luke 8:1, 9:1

Acts 1:3, 28:31

Matthew 6:33, 6:9-13

Notes for Discussison

Connect:

What was one part of Sunday service that has encouraged you this week?

How has silence and solitude played a part in your spiritual journey? 

Engage: 

Read the following scriptures:  Mark 1:35, Luke 5:15-16, Luke 6:12-13, Mark 6:31-32, Mark 9:2

What do these scriptures tell us about Jesus time alone with the Father?

What are some thingsJesus withdrew from?

How did getting away enable Jesus and his disciples to prepare for what was next?

What do these verses tell us about Jesus priorities?

Read:

Be silent before the Lord God! (Zeph 1.7)

My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. (Ps 62.5-6)

For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.’ (Is 30.15)

How does silence and solitude before God renew us and our perspectives?  

What do these verses teach us about where our strength comes from?  

Apply: 

Henry Nouwen said, “In solitude, I get rid of my scaffolding.” And what is scaffolding? It’s the stuff we use to keep ourselves propped up be it friends, family, tv, radio, books, job, technology, work, achievement, our bank account, etc.

What might be some of your scaffolding that you use to prop yourself up?

What are some of the good things that you need to retreat from at times to be able to reenter with more strength?  

“The fruit of solitude,” explains Richard Foster, “is increased sensitivity and compassion for others. There comes a new freedom to be with people. There is  new attentiveness to their needs, new responsiveness to their hurts” (Celebration  of Discipline, p. 95)

How do you think extended time with the Father in silence and solitude change the way you are with people?  

What is one step you would like to take this week to practice the discipline of silence and solitude?  How can this group help you accomplish that?  

Pray

Habakkuk 1: 1-5

John 16:33

Habakkuk 3: 1-19