Capacity Builder Pathway | Day 1

STEP 1: Take the Reflection Survey

STEP 3: Experiment

Barrier - Instant Gratification

Experiment: Technology Fast

Level 1

Determine one day this week where you can turn off your phone and any technology for at least two hours. You may need to plan ahead for this and let close friends and family know you are trying this. Think of something fun and life-giving to do during this time. Some ideas are to go for a long walk, ride your bike with friends or family, play games, read, nap, or something else you may enjoy that doesn’t require any technology.

Level 2

For the entire week, place your phone in a room away from you for at least an hour before bed and try not to engage it unless it’s an emergency. Avoid any other tech for at least an hour prior to bed each night. You could use this time to talk with others in your home, read, journal, or simply go to bed early.

Level 3

Choose one 24-hour period this week where you can fast from all forms of technology. Let close friends and family know, and you will likely need to plan ahead. You can even invite or strongly encourage your family to join you. There is plenty of things to do to fill up your time. Anything outside, games, cooking new meals or old favorites, drawing or other forms of art, and lots of resting is always a good idea. Most of us are quite tired and don’t realize it.

Barrier: Tylenol Culture

Experiment: Silence & Solitude

Level 1

Find a consistent time where you can step away from interruptions and engage just 5 minutes of silence each day this week. It’s best to set a timer for 5 minutes so you’re not checking the time. You may want to keep a scratch piece of paper to jot down brief thoughts as they come so you can re-focus on Christ. Finding a single phrase like “the Lord is my shepherd” or “ Christ in me” can help keep our heart and mind on Jesus (Colossians 3:14)

Level 2

Building on level 1, see if you can increase that time to 15 minutes daily. The longer we engage this practice, the more difficult it usually becomes and the better it is for our life with God.

Level 3

Continue trying to find 5-15 minutes per day, but find one day this week where you can block out 2 – 4 hours with little to no interruptions. If you’ve never done extended solitude, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. It’s good to find somewhere outside your home that doesn’t have as many to-do-list distractions. However, make sure it’s a place you feel comfortable and safe. Parks, botanical gardens, and libraries can be good spots.

2. If you’re not used to silence and solitude, it may be very uncomfortable, and sometimes, buried thoughts surface. Remember to keep orienting your heart toward God. The purpose of this time is more to listen to God and sit with Him than it is anything else. Think of Elijah hearing God in the whisper, not the thunder or the earthquake.

3. We recommend bringing a journal, some snacks, and some water. Avoid bringing your Bible or a book of any type. Those can be easy distractions, even if they are good ones.

4. If you’ve engaged silence and solitude like this, feel free to extend the time as you see fit. Make sure to let someone know where you are and how long you’ll be there.

Barrier: Digital Relationships

Experiment: Hospitality

Level 1

Call up a friend and spend some time together. Go get coffee, go for a hike or walk together, or do something you enjoy where you can have some real conversation. If you need help having slightly deeper conversations, try a question like, “ What do you think are some of the most important things about yourself?” or “What were some of the most significant moments in your life that have really shaped you?”

Level 2

Sharing a meal is an age-old way to love others. Jesus shared lots of meals with people. Think of a person or a small group you might want to invite over for a meal. It can be even more fun to ask them to come early and help prepare the food. Try making something from scratch like bread or pasta or dessert. If you struggle with hospitality and cooking, maybe ask a friend who loves to host to join in your experiment.

Level 3

Think of someone you don’t know well but would like to get to know. Ask them out for coffee or for a meal together. It’s one thing to spend time with people you know and love, it’s another to be vulnerable with new people. Most of us are honored to be invited into a new friendship. Give it a go.

Barrier: Hurry Sickness

 Experiment: Slowing Down

Level 1

These may sound simple but many of us have trouble with them. For level 1, try arriving 10 minutes early to each of your engagements this week. To meetings, to sporting events, to coffee, to whatever you are expected at. This may require some pre-planning and thinking ahead. If you arrive early – enjoy not being rushed. Maybe even bring a book or a journal to capture some of your thoughts.

Level 2

This week, plan to make all of your meals. No fast food, no microwave or pre-made meals. It will take planning and proactive steps. Making our food is not only good for us but it forces us to slow down and more deeply appreciate something that is so essential to our lives.

Level 3

This is probably the most challenging because it permeates so much of our lives. Simply move slowly all day. Wake up slowly, walk at an awkwardly slow pace from place to place, drive below the speed limit, and when you catch your mind racing, take a deep breath and slow it down. A good way to do this is to have a simple phrase like “He makes me lie down in green pastures (Psalm 23)” that you can repeat to yourself. Some people count to 10. Others physically stop their body and take a moment to notice everything that is around them – trees, buildings, people, smells, sights, and sounds.