2025
Jesus Often Withdrew
Passage: Luke 5:12-16; Psalm 10:4; Psalm 46:10
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5
“It is in deep solitude that I find the gentleness with which I can truly love my brothers. The more solitary I am the more affection I have for them. … Solitude and silence teach me to love my brothers for what they are, not for what they say.” — Thomas Merton
“Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life.” —Henri Nouwen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
This week we started a new sermon series Trellis & Vine: Habits of Healthy Christian. In this series, we’ll consider the practices included below. What is one that has been more challenging or new to you? What habit comes easier for you and why?
- Silence and solitude to pray
- Fasting
- Listening to God’s word
- Community in small groups & friendships
- Community in sabbath & corporate worship
- Generosity with money
- Generosity with time
Consider the image of a trellis and vine and describe the benefits of a trellis for a vine. The trellis is not the same as sunlight, healthy soil, and water, but it is still helpful. How does this image help keep healthy habits of a Christian life in their rightful place?
Read Luke 5:12-16. What challenges, encourages, or sparks questions for you in this passage? What phrases stand out to you that help shape your understanding of God’s character and your identity as a child of God?
Another way of translating Luke 5:16 is, “Jesus was regularly withdrawing and praying.” How does Jesus’s example in his context challenge/encourage you practicing silence and solitude to pray?
Read Psalm 10:4 and Psalm 46:10. Describe in your own life when you are prone to have less room for God in your thoughts or when you are able to be still and know God?
Missionary Jim Elliott wrote, “I think the devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, crowds.” How do you experience these three elements in your usual day?
Consider these 4 ways listed below to practice solitude and silence to pray. How have you engaged with this practice yourself? If you’ve included any of these four in your habits, what has worked or been challenging? Are there other ways you have practiced silence and solitude to pray “regularly withdrawing to pray”?
- Having a regular quiet place & time
- Practicing “little solitudes” – the art of waiting without distraction
- Walking
- Extended solitude for 2-3 hours or more
What from these passages and this discussion is something you want to put into practice or be more aware of this week?
PRAYER
Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?
John 15:5 / “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”