Jan. 20 - "Noise" (segment 005)

Discussion guide questions:

Rob is sitting on his couch watching TV, surfing through the channels. As he hits the remote, you see the channel numbers in the upper right hand corner, but they're backwards. Then you realize you, the viewer, is actually in the TV. Rob starts talking about Bernie Krause who, when recording nature sounds for film and TV, has to log in more than 2000 hours of recording time to get just one hour of undisturbed sound. In 1968, it only took him 15 hours to do the same thing. Rob also talks about God being in the silence. He clicks the remote again, and suddenly the screen goes black.

• What does the Bernie Krause situation say about how our world has changed?
• What kind of noise do you have in your life.

After a minute, the screen is still black, but now questions and statements scroll onscreen.

• Do you ever surround yourself with noise intentionally? If so, why do you think we do this?
• Do you wish God's voice would be louder in your life?
• Does all the noise in our lives make it hard to hear God?

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened an I will give you rest. - Jesus in Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

• "If I'm not still, and if I don't listen, how is Jesus going to give me rest?"
• When was the last time you spent some time in silence?
• "Have you spent the same amount of time worrying and talking about your difficult, confusing situations as you have spent in silence, listening to what God might have to say?"
• Do you sometimes avoid silence because you're afraid of what God might actually have to say to you?

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. - Luke 5:16 (NIV)

• "These were regular disciplines Jesus had. Silence. Solitude."
• Are you ever alone or do you always need somebody around you?
• "Does my schedule,my time, my life look like that of a person who wants to hear God's voice"
• What are some things in your daily life you could change to eliminate some of the noise?

The "TV" turns back on, showing Rob still sitting on the sofa, remote in hand. He asks, "Is it possible that you've been searching for God in the winds...the earthquakes and fires...and he's waiting to speak to you in the silence?"

Search your hearts and be silent. - Psalm 4:4 (NIV)

Class discussion: those of us who are addicted to noise, those of us who cherish the silence the make space for, making praying a more automatic response to internal noise, pressure to be wired and tuned in, the "Story of Stuff," not having used the class time to be practice silence instead of discussing

Action items for the week:

• Go on a noise diet.
• Listen for God in the new silence created from your noise diet.
• Replace a complaint with a prayer.
• Check out Dr. Bernie Krause's website: http://www.wildsanctuary.com/
• Wear hearing protection the next time you operate loud equipment.

Video note: Since releasing "Noise," Nooma customer service has received numerous calls from frustrated and perplexed customers wondering why this Nooma is only 2 minutes and 34 seconds long.