VOICES OF PINELAKE | JUNE 21, 2026

The Secret Place – Suno Justus

Key Passage: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” — Psalm 91:1

OPENING QUESTION

Have you ever experienced a season where you felt especially close to God? What contributed to that season?

GROW

Many people know Psalm 91 as a passage about God’s protection during difficult times. But before it speaks about protection, it speaks about position.

The promise begins with a person who dwells in the secret place.

The secret place is not a physical location. It is a place of intimacy with God. It is where we intentionally spend time with Him, listen to Him, trust Him, and cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. The invitation of Psalm 91 is available to everyone. Regardless of where we are in our spiritual journey, God invites us to draw near and experience Him more deeply.

In Ezekiel 47, the prophet sees water flowing from the temple that becomes deeper and deeper the farther he goes. The picture is an invitation to move beyond shallow faith and step into the deeper waters of God’s presence. God always has more for His people. The question is whether we are willing to keep moving deeper.

  • What stood out to you about the idea that the secret place is a place of intimacy with God rather than simply a spiritual activity?

  • Where would you describe yourself in the waters of Ezekiel 47: standing on the shore, ankle deep, waist deep, or fully surrendered to the current? Why?

PRAY

One of the challenges of developing a secret place is that intimacy requires intentionality.

Deep relationships do not happen accidentally. They are built through time, attention, and presence. The same is true in our relationship with God.

Many of us desire a deeper relationship with Him, but distractions, busyness, and competing priorities often keep us from slowing down long enough to dwell with Him. Prayer is one of the primary ways we enter the secret place and learn to enjoy God’s presence.

  • What tends to distract or pull you away from spending intentional time with God?

  • What is one practical change you could make this week to create more space for God in your daily rhythm?

CONNECT

The invitation into the secret place is personal, but it was never intended to be private.

As we pursue intimacy with God individually, we also encourage one another as a church family to keep taking deeper steps of faith. Spiritual growth is often strengthened when we walk alongside others who are pursuing Jesus as well.

God is calling His church into deeper waters together. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we help others do the same.

  • How have other believers encouraged your relationship with God during different seasons of life?

  • How can our group help one another pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus this week?

SHARE

When we spend time in God’s presence, it changes us.

The deeper we go with Him, the more His life begins to flow through us. In Ezekiel 47, the river brought life everywhere it went. In the same way, people who regularly dwell with God become carriers of His love, peace, wisdom, and hope to those around them.

The goal of the secret place is not simply personal growth. It is a transformed life that reflects Jesus to others.

  • How might spending more time with God impact the way you love, serve, or encourage others?

  • Who in your life could benefit from experiencing the overflow of what God is doing in your life right now?

NEXT STEP

Choose one action for this week in one of the Be The Church rhythms:

Grow: Read Psalm 91 and Ezekiel 47 this week. Ask God to show you what it means to dwell with Him and trust Him more deeply.
Pray: Set aside a specific time and place each day this week to meet with God without distractions.
Connect: Share with a trusted friend or group member one area where you want to grow deeper in your relationship with God.
Share: Look for one opportunity this week to encourage, pray for, or serve someone out of the overflow of your time with God.

KEY TAKEAWAY

God is inviting each of us into deeper waters. The secret place is where intimacy with God is formed, trust is strengthened, and lives are transformed. The invitation is open to everyone:

Step deeper.
Dwell longer.
Experience more of God.