Help for the Hustle: Silence and Solitude
Say: When you type a paper on Microsoft Word you chose how wide to set your margin. The larger the margin, the more blank space on the page.
Ask: How are your margins set in your life? Narrow? None? Moderate? Wide? What do you do to intentionally keep space open in your schedule for real downtime?
Ask: How have you been tempted to fill up your free time with Netflix binging, scrolling Instagram, and video games instead of resting, unplugging, doing something creative, spending time with God in His Word, or hanging out with family and friends?
Ask: Of this following list, which hustle do you most struggle with?
- hustling for good grades
- hustling for people’s approval or for popularity
- hustling to have the right body
- hustling for achievement in sports or activities
- hustling for scholarships or future financial success
- hustling to feel like you are a good enough person for God to accept you
Ask: How often in your life do you sit in silence and solitude?
Read 1 Kings 19:11-12
Then he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the LORD’s presence.” At that moment, the LORD passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.
Ask: Is there enough silence in your life to hear a whisper from God? Why or why not?
Ask: What do you believe the loudest noises are in your life that prevent you from hearing the whispers of God?
Say: Before Elijah heard from God in the whisper, he witnessed God’s power on top of Mount Carmel.
Ask: Why is it easier to look for God in the “Mount Carmel” experiences of life and miss Him in the whisper?