What is the longest period of time you've gone without having direct contact with people?  Describe your experience with that.  Was there any benefit in that time for you?  What was hardest about it?

What do you think is the specific goal or purpose of solitude?  Read Genesis 2:15-25. If God said of Adam,"It is not good for the man to be alone," how can we justify withdrawing from other people to practice solitude? What benefit is there to be had?

Pascal said that "All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in his room."  Do you agree or disagree?  Why? 

Read the following passages (if in a group read aloud together).  Then consider the gifts of solitude you see in them. Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 30:15, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12-13, Matthew 4:13, John 6:15. 

Does the idea of "letting yourself be caught" by God leave you feeling encouraged or maybe a little scared?  Why do you think someone might be afraid to let themselves "be caught" by God?

Where do you think you could find one hour for solitude with Jesus this week?  If that's a stretch for you, is there some time in your day that you could "steal" from another activity to find solitude?  How can you be creative with time you already have?  (For example, could you ask a significant other to keep an eye on the kids while you take an hour.  Or you might have time in the car when you normally talk on the phone or listen to music–you could simply not do those things.  Or you could find a gap between two appointments or meetings that you set aside for solitude.)​​