Gather: Silence

This month, lean into silence and listening with a group of friends. Being quiet together can be awkward at times, so here’s a simple structure:

Gather

(2 MINUTES)

Find the quietest place you can, where you know you’ll be uninterrupted, like a chapel or prayer room.

Read

(2 MINUTES)

Appoint a leader to read this short passage, and to set a timer for the following silence:

Leader:

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah is hiding in a cave, when God speaks to him in an unexpected way:

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks 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 came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

As we sit in silence with God, let’s allow Him to ask each of us this same question: in this group, in this school year, on this campus: what are you doing here? 

Be Still

(15 MINUTES)

Set a timer for 15 minutes, close your eyes, and simply be silent with God, sitting with this question. This may feel awkward, and that’s okay! The time may be interrupted by laughter or outside noises—when that happens, just turn your attention back to God. You’ll notice all sorts of thoughts running through your mind. Leave them be, and turn in your heart back to God, savoring His presence like a delicious meal.

Go Monastic

(1 DAY)

Commit as a group to spend the next day in silence. Do your normal things—go to class, eat with friends, enjoy the fall weather—but notice all the things that you find yourself wanting to say, and instead, turn to God. Break the silence at dinner with your friends that night!