The document discusses the spiritual disciplines of simplicity and solitude as pathways to spiritual growth, referencing biblical psalms and prayers that emphasize trust in God and inner peace. It highlights the gifts these practices offer to spiritual leaders, particularly in coping with distractions and the pressures of life. Additionally, it includes a reflective exercise and a song that resonates with the themes of grappling with spiritual struggles.

1. Celebration of Discipline
.
The Path to Spiritual Growth – “Simplicity” & “Solitude”
By Richard J. Foster
Presented by
Tomika McFadden and Angeline Lee
United Theological Seminary - Dayton, OH

2. • Meditation
• Submission
• Prayer
• Service
• Fasting
• Confession
• Study
• Worship
• Simplicity
• Guidance
• Solitude
• Celebration

3. An Introduction to Simplicity…
• What is the spiritual
discipline of “simplicity”?
• What gift does the
practice of simplicity offer
a practicing, spiritual
leader?

4. Psalm 62 (NRSV)
Song of Trust in God Alone
To the leader: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my
salvation,
my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
3 How long will you assail a person,
will you batter your victim, all of you,
as you would a leaning wall, a
tottering fence?
4 Their only plan is to bring down a
person of prominence.
They take pleasure in falsehood;
they bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my
salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my deliverance and my
honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is
in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9 Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a
delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a
breath.
10 Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on
robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your
heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and steadfast love belongs to
you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
according to their work.

5. A Prayer of Simplicity
“O God, we beseech thee to save us this
day from the distractions of vanity and
the false lure of inordinate desires. Grant
us the grace of a quite and humbled
mind, and may we learn of Jesus to be
meek and lowly of heart. May we not join
the throng of those who seek after things
that never satisfy and who draw others
after them in the fever of covetousness.
Save us from adding our influence to the
drag of temptation. If the fierce tide of
greed beats against the breakwaters of
our soul, may we rest at peace in thy
higher contentment. In the press of life
may we pass from duty to duty in
tranquility of heart and spread they
quietness to all who come near.”
Walter Rauschenbusch
http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/people
/walter-rauschenbusch.html

6. An Introduction to Solitude…
• What is the spiritual
discipline of “solitude”?
• What gift does the
practice of solitude
offer a practicing,
spiritual leader?

8. Psalm 43 (NRSV)
Psalm of Solitude
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly
people; from deceitful and unjust men deliver me! 2 For thou art
the God in whom I take refuge; why hast thou cast me off? Why
go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Oh
send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me, let them bring
me to thy holy hill and to thy dwelling! 4 Then I will go to the altar
of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise thee with the
lyre, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and
why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again
praise him, my help and my God.

9. A Prayer of Solitude
by Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am
going.
I do not see the road ahead of me and I
cannot know for certain where it will
end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact
that I think I am following your will
does
not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope that I have that desire in all
that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart
from that desire.
I know if I do this you will lead me by the
right road though I may know
nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you
always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow
of death.
I will not fear for you are ever with me and you
will never leave me to face my perils alone.

10. Song of Solitude
Blue God by Jessica Reedy
The attached song via the
YouTube Link is by Sunday’s Best
Star, Jessica Reedy. The song is
entitled Blue God. According to
Jessica Reedy the song was
written to express her thoughts
about her current place with God.
This song was chosen to serve a
two-fold purpose. The first
purpose that this song serves is to
depict that Jessica Reedy was
experiencing what St. John of the
Cross describes as, “the dark night
of the soul.” The second purpose
is because this song is relevant to
my current life space and my own
“dark night of the soul.”

11. Group Reflection
How Can We Experience a Spiritually Disciplined Life of Simplicity and Solitude?
Five Minute Challenge
Close your eyes, reflect on your day and play it scene by scene in your mind.
Now, take a deep breath and exhale. In the exhaling, silently, thank God for
your day and allow God to remove the weight of your day.