Unmasked 1: Jesus and the Lonely Place

Session 1: Jesus and the Lonely Place

Community Group Host Guide

INTRO: (2-3 minutes)

Welcome to Community Group! Start off by introducing everyone in the group and then praying and asking the Holy Spirit to move and guide the conversation for the evening. 

It is now time for us to move into our fall practice of silence and solitude. Let us take a few minutes to discuss the importance and benefit of this practice in our lives.  

DISCUSSION: (10-15 minutes)

SAY the following: All of us experience countless things throughout each day that are fighting for our attention. Some of these things need our attention (i.e. family, work, friends). Others aren’t as deserving of our attention (social media, Netflix, etc.). 

ASK the group:

Outside of the necessary things requiring your attention, what else do you give your attention to?

A. Do you feel like you give too much time to it/them? 

B. Does it or do they help you in your faith journey?

After discussing, have someone read Matthew 4:1-11

SAY the following:

It may seem strange to hear that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness “to be tempted by the devil.” There are a number of reasons for this but the one we are examining today is silence and solitude. The Spirit knew the type of journey Jesus was about to embark on with His ministry and eventual crucifixion. In order to be strengthened by the Spirit and to be in communion with the Father, it was imperative that Jesus spend time alone in prayer and meditation in order to receive the power to carry this mission out. 

If it was so important for Jesus to spend time in silence and solitude in order to be filled, how much more important is it for us to practice the same thing? Sure, we may not be embarking on a journey leading to death on a cross but we are all on journeys riddled with obstacles and struggle. Our attention is the rope in the middle of a spiritual tug-of-war. With one swift pull, God could easily pull us into His presence. However, His heart is such that He wants our hearts to desire to spend time with Him. He is drawing us in but we must take the steps to follow. 

Silence and solitude should not be mistaken for isolation. We ALL know the dangers and struggles that stem from isolation. As Jason said, “In isolation, you are removed from the awareness of others; in solitude, you are removed from the distraction of others.” Silence and solitude allow us the time to hear from God, be filled up by the Spirit and then led back into interaction with others looking more like Jesus. Our attention to other things is then better characterized by the fruits of the Spirit. 

First, we quiet the external stimulus (people, t.v., phone, music, etc.). Then comes the more difficult step--quieting the internal stimulus (thoughts, fears, doubts, etc.). The last thing darkness wants is room for light. But we have to make the conscious and intentional effort to clear our minds and hearts in order to provide the space for the Spirit to work. This does not come easy or naturally, but it does come if we practice it.   

APPLICATION: (approx. 10-15 minutes)

Some of us are really good at silence and solitude already. Some of us may not consider this area a strength. Spend some time sharing your experience with each other about what works for you and what does not. Remember, there is no universal format that works for every single person. But listen to others’ suggestions and start working through what may work for you. As you listen, set a goal for yourself for this next week to begin this practice. If you already practice it, set a goal for yourself to help someone else with their time over the next week.          

CLOSING: (5 minutes)

This is a journey, not a trip. We are all in different seasons and carry different personality types. However, we must examine our lives to recognize the seasons we are in so that we can best design what our silence and solitude time looks like. It may only be a couple minutes a day or every other day for some of us right now--that’s okay. Seasons change and we experience transformation through His Word. The important thing is that we commit to practicing silence and solitude, no matter how it looks, and allow it to strengthen us as we grow stronger in it.