Rule of Life
What is it?
A rule or rhythm of life is a way of living that opens a person to the presence of Christ. It is a way of intentionally partnering with the Holy Spirit for the transformation into the image of Jesus that Paul challenges us to in Romans 8:29.
People hear the word“rule” and worry that they’re being asked to engage in “works based religion” or “dead religion,” but nothing could be further from the truth. Rather, as Adele Calhoun says in her Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, “Each rule, or rhythm is a way we partner with God for the transformation only he can bring. Rules keep our lives from devovling into unintended chaos. They aren’t a burdensome list of dos and don’ts … but a brief and realistic scaffold of disciples that support your heart’s desire to grow inloving God and others.”[1]
In the same way none of us would expect to run a half-marathon or seriously learn a new language without a daily discipline, a Rule of Life helps us intentionally engage in practices that will create a soul transformation, leading us step-by-step into the image of Christ.
Or as John Mark Comer says in Practicing the Way, “Jesus isn’t asking you to do something you’re not already doing. All of us are abiding. The question isn’t, ‘Are you abiding?’ It’s, ‘What are you abiding in?”[2]
Notes:
1. Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, 2nd ed. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Formatio, 2015), 38.
2. John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did. (Colorado Springs: WaterBrook, 2024), 37-38.
Getting Started
In our faith, we often find ourselves connecting to God in one default dimension. While this is a good place to start, as we look at creating our rule of life it is helpful to expand into other dimensions. A healthy rule of life should include practices that fall into the four categories of:
Individual
Corporate
Abstinence
Engagement
In the pages below we have included descriptions and practices that encapsulate each dimension
Individual
Knowing who we truly are takes conscious effort, but is very rewarding. Knowing how God sees us brings that understanding even further.
Abstinence
Taking time removing attachments in our lives often brings clarity to what is important and increases are hunger for God.
Engagement
One-on-one connecting with God and others allows us to go into the depths of them and establish deep connection.