GOING DEEPER
05.24.2020 | JUST BE | Wk 5: “Just Be Still”
Join the community and go deeper with this Bible study.
Breaking Ground
What is your favorite activity to do alone? Why?
The Dig
Begin by reflecting on the difference between isolation & solitude. Is there a difference? What do you associate with each?
Next, read Mark 6:6b-13 & 30-32. This reflects a pattern that we see over & over again in Jesus’ story. After a season of conflict, confrontation, teaching, & healing – we see Jesus choose to go off alone in the pursuit of solitude.
What stands out to you from these two pieces of Scripture?
Clearly, Jesus believes that we are called to take part in community, work, & solitude. Do you lean more towards community or solitude in your everyday life? Is one easier for you than the other?
Why do you think you lean that way?
Notice that Jesus is intentional about his pursuit of solitude & doesn’t pursue it simply for its own sake. He plans it & seeks it out for a reason.
Why do you think Jesus intentionally builds solitude into his life routine?
What kind of activities & motivations do you think define Jesus’ engagement with & use of solitude?
What does this teach us about the relationship between solitude, community, & serving others?
Close by reflecting again on the difference between isolation & solitude.
What characterizes or defines healthy solitude? Has this conversation changed or added anything to how you understand those two things?
What do you think is the purpose of healthy solitude (if there is one)?
Are you good at intentionally planning healthy solitude into your life?
Do you find that your time alone falls more under isolation or solitude? Why?
What could you do to change how you approach your time alone to transform it into a more healthy practice of solitude?
Getting Out of the Hole
Reflect this week on where you need to be still in our lives. Journal about the following.
- Where have you scheduled intentional time of solitude this week? Where can you build that time into your week?
- How can solitude help you move forward in your service of others in this season?
- What do you find yourself thinking about & feeling when you are alone?
Journal about what you discover in this time. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun
Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating
The Naked Now by Richard Rohr
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, May 31: Join us for the next week of our series Just Be, where we will be looking at the role gratitude plays in our spiritual growth.
* Please see mye3.org for details.