Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Chapter 10 - Cameron Jungels - Wed, November 5, 2014

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

by Donald Whitney

 

Silence & Solitude…for the purpose of godliness: Chapter 10

 

Silence & Solitude Explained

Ø  Silence: the voluntary and temporary abstention from speaking so that certain spiritual goals might be sought.

Ø  Solitude: the voluntary and temporary withdrawal to privacy for spiritual purposes.

 

3 Principles

Ø  Think of silence and solitude as the counter-balance to the discipline of mutual fellowship.

Ø  Silence and solitude are often practiced together.

Ø  Our culture conditions us to be comfortable with noise and crowds.

 

Reasons for Silence & Solitude

Ø  To Follow Jesus’ Example

Ø  To Minimize Distractions in Prayer

Ø  To Express Worship to God

Ø  To Express Faith in God

Ø  To Seek Salvation/Deliverance of the Lord

Ø  To Be Physically and Spiritually Restored

Ø  To Regain a Spiritual Perspective

Ø  To Seek the Will of God

Ø  To Learn Control of the Tongue

Ø  Silence & Solitude help connect us to the other disciplines.

 

Suggestions for Silence & Solitude

Ø  “Minute Retreats”

Ø  A Goal of Daily Silence & Solitude

Ø  Getting Away

Ø  Special Places

Ø  Trading Off Daily Responsibilities