Do you remember the saying, “silence is golden?” Now, it has been used to hint to people who talk a lot that the world would benefit if they took a break from speaking. However, the truth is that there is depth to silence which has a language all it’s own. You can tap into this depth by incorporating silent reflection in your youth ministry.
You hear, feel, and respond differently when everything is turned off and you face yourself. In facing yourself, you end up facing who you are in relation to others and who you are in relation to God. Spiritual growth is enhanced.
Is silent reflection easy? Not really. You’ve probably found that youth get very uncomfortable with silence. Maybe you do as well. However, that does not make it something bad or something to avoid. If you avoid everything that makes them uncomfortable, you will rob them of significant growth points.
In the last post we looked at 3 reasons why reflection should be a part of your youth ministry. After I wrote that, two things happened. I got to thinking about what I’d written. I realized I hadn’t mentioned silent reflection. What I’d written could apply to reflection through discussion. Now, reflection through discussion is important. You sharpen your thinking and assimilating capabilities as you interact with others. Nevertheless, silent reflection is needed.
The other thing that happened was that I picked up The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation by Daniel J. Siegel. He has great insights on being aware/mindful, including practicing silence. It further reminded me of the importance of silent reflection.
As mentioned earlier, often young people are not comfortable with silence. You may not be either. Our society does not encourage silence You’re encouraged to be plugged in all the time. Everywhere you go there is sound, except the sound of silence.
Because silence is not our norm, introduce silent reflection incrementally. You can start with 2 minutes, and then move up to 3, to 5 . . . You get the picture. This is silence without even meditative music. That has it’s time and place but this is different.
Suggested guide for silent reflection
- Opening sentences: “[The angel] said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence” (1 Kings 19:11-12 NRSV). And so this God whom the Israelites had known in the forceful elements of nature spoke to Elijah in a silence.
- Silence takes some getting accustomed to. It’s not what we normally do. However, when we quiet our surroundings, we can better still ourselves inwardly and be more open to the Spirit. In silence, we hear God differently.
- Pause.
- Let’s listen to this Scripture reading. Afterward, we will have 2 minutes of silence to reflect on it. (Read Psalm 1.)
- At the end of 2 minutes call the group back to the present. This is not for them to share but for them to take what they received from it and go with it.
- Say: God speaks to us through God’s Word more when we pause to reflect on it. Let us pray.
- Lead the group in the prayer of presence found here on page 3.
- Wrap up with a prayer of thanksgiving.
- Ask the group what that the experience was like.
Have a time of silent reflection at least once a month and encourage youth to incorporate silence in their everyday lives, eg, upon waking or before they go to bed. Help them develop spiritually in more rounded ways.
You can also lead lectio divina which has silent reflection built into this prayer reading of the Bible. You’ll find a guide for that and other prayer resources at the same link as the prayer of presence.
The “Who Am I” retreat package has a lesson that incorporates silence and guides for debriefing after. It includes spiritual disciplines which make use of silent reflection. This package can also be used as a lesson unit.
Remember to:
Inhale . . . Reflect . . . Act.
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