In college, I was terrible at spiritual disciplines. I didn’t know what to do or how important they were. The college ministry I attended used to have prayer days on campus. They weren’t anything glamorous. In fact, they were quite simple: I would show up at the chapel, grab some papers for guided prayer, and spend time there. Doing it with others helped me stick with it.
There is something profound about practicing faith with others. Throughout the bible, people engage in spiritual disciplines together. Yet we often approach them as individuals. Many times in my faith journey, practicing a discipline with others has been pivotal. Whether it’s prayer, reading scripture, silent retreats, serving, or fasting, these practices have shaped my spiritual life—and all of them have happened with others.
If you’re unsure where to start with a group, here are three practices to try.
Silence & Solitude
We all need this. Our lives are full of noise. Jesus would often retreat to be with his Father (Matt 14:23) and would also take the disciples with him (Mark 14:32-42).
Set-up: Gather a few friends, explain the desired outcome and benefits of some quiet time away, agree on a location and timeframe, and enter into silence together. It may be helpful to remind everyone of the goal: to detach from our usual noise.
Follow-through: Consider walking a trail with friends and praying using scripture notecards. Find a comfortable spot to sit and listen, using the scriptures to spark themes, questions, and reflections. Whether you have 30 minutes during a lunch break or a whole afternoon, the focus is on allowing God to speak through silence and solitude.
Afterward, come together for a debrief. Share what God revealed to each of you and what thoughts kept coming to mind. Close with a prayer of gratitude and ask for God’s continued work.
If outdoor settings aren’t feasible, try the same practice in your neighborhood or on campus. Remember, while setting isn’t everything, it’s important to choose a space free of distractions. And with that in mind, consider leaving your phone behind.
Fasting & Feasting
Fasting is challenging, but spiritually enriching. The practice of fasting moves us to consider God’s presence in our lives, and his ever-sustaining hand. Add a feast at the end of your fast to come back together and celebrate. The Israelites would often feast to remind themselves of God’s presence and grace. (Exodus 12:1-6; Deuteronomy 16:1-3)
Set-up: Reach out to your small group and suggest a day to fast and feast together. Provide scriptures like Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 13:2-3, Exodus 34:28, or Luke 4:2 to offer a framework for fasting and to inspire spiritual reflection. Decide on a location to dine together, whether it’s at a restaurant or through a potluck-style gathering at someone’s home.
Find more bible verses to pray while fasting here.
Follow-through: Once you've finalized the details, such as the date and dining arrangements, prepare yourself the night before. Consider saying a prayer or journaling to prepare your heart and mind for the day ahead. Remember, fasting isn’t just another day. It’s an opportunity for spiritual growth, reliance on God, and drawing closer to him.
Begin your fast in the morning and fill your day with reminders of God’s truths. The scriptures mentioned earlier can serve as excellent reminders. When you gather for the feast in the evening, share your experiences from the day, including what God spoke to you and your aspirations for the future.
Read “Helpful Tips on How to Fast” for more guidance on structuring your time of fasting.
Bible Reading
We often forget that the bible was originally read out loud in communities. Instead, we’re used to sitting down and reading the bible on our phones in our favorite translation by ourselves in the most comfortable spot in the house.
Without throwing personal bible reading out the window, engaging in reading the bible as a community is a rich and powerful practice.
Set-up: Keep it simple. Utilize devotional books like those from The Crossing, such as Luke: Unreasonable Hospitality, and invite neighbors to join you in reading together. Share the plan on your neighborhood Facebook page or text your neighbors, selecting a relevant passage and a date to read collectively. You can also make this spontaneous, it doesn’t have to be a grand plan. Just determine the amount of text to cover together.
Follow-through: In the summertime, we used to gather outside with several families for this activity. We’d read a portion of the bible, pose a single question like “What stood out to you?” afterward, and conclude with prayer. This isn’t intended to be a formal bible study or devotional. Rather, it’s an opportunity to engage with God’s word, collectively. Consider incorporating food and drinks for a delightful afternoon together.
The possibilities for these are endless and can be adapted to fit various groups and rhythms. Whether with neighbors, friends, family, colleagues, your small group, people you serve with on Sunday, a sports team, or people at your CrossFit gym—these disciplines can foster a closer relationship with God and each other. These practices aren’t going to save you or make you right before God. They will however bring you closer to God and cultivate joy, peace, kindness, love, empathy, and more, in relationship with Jesus.
What more could you want?
Learn more about the benefits of communal prayer and why practicing prayer with friends and family can help you grow in your faith.
