Alone With the Father
Key Scriptures
2020 Vision: Love well and to grow into the likeness of Christ
Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.
Mark 2:27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
Jesus retreats and prays before decisions:
Luke 6:12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles.
Jesus withdraws from people and communes with God when in grief. After John the Baptist’s death:
Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.
And in times of distress:
Luke 22:41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
He speaks Softly:
1 Kings 19:11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks 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. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
Key Points
- Time alone with God helps us to remember him the rest of the day. To see him in the mundane and the mess.
- Stewardship of our time is often overlooked. We are prone to distraction.
- Quietness allows us to hear from God.
- Jesus purposed in His heart to spend time alone with The Father.
- Busy people don’t love well, Jesus was never to busy to spend time with the Father.
- Seek him first, abide in him, be planted by the water. And you will prosper.
- Cultivate a heart that longs to connect personally with God.
Discussion Questions
- Well? What say you about your alone time with God?
- What is currently taking away time with God?
- Explain the benefits of fellowship with God.
- Why do you think Jesus spent alone time with God?