Throughout history, Christian communities have embraced a shared Rule of Life—a framework of spiritual practices and rhythms designed to help people grow in their journey with Jesus. A Rule of Life is like a trellis: a structure that supports healthy growth, guiding us in the right direction.
Rhythm of Renewal is a set of daily, weekly, and monthly practices that shape our shared life together. These rhythms help us grow as a community by learning to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
“Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace”
JESUS, Matthew 11:29 (MSG)
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Rhythm of Renewal is a simple, practical guide to help you craft your own Rule of Life, and our Rule of Life chart offers an easy way to weave these seven practices into the everyday rhythms of your life. This isn’t about creating a rigid, one-size-fits-all set of “rules.” Instead, it’s an invitation to adapt, reshape, and improvise, finding what is life-giving for you, your family and/or your community.
Step 1: Look over the Rule of Life Chart and spend a little time contemplating it, considering how it will integrate in to the different areas of your life.
Step 2: Prayerfully work through the seven practices and think about which ones are already part of your everyday rhythms, and the ones that may need more attention. Then start to imagine what a more intentional rule of life could look like for you.
Step 3: Draft your rule of life using the chart linked below filling in each block as you see fit. You might choose things like daily reading of scripture or a weekly sabbath or an evening to gather with friends to share a meal. It’s not about doing whats right or what you think is enough, it’s about doing what fits with you, your family or the community you belong to.
Step 4: Try it out. Spend a few weeks living into your rule, and see how it feels. If it feels burdensome or boring, pay attention to that without judgment, and consider what you need to change. What’s working and what’s not working? What’s bringing you life? What’s draining you? Talk about it with a partner, close friend, or other in your community.
Step 5: Revise and commit. Based on step 4, adjust your rule to what seems best, and commit to it for an extended season of time (we recommend a minimum of three months, and maximum of a year). Over that time period, create space for reflection via journaling, talking to a friend, or just taking a walk and thinking about it, to see what effect your rule is having on transforming you into a person of love, joy, and peace in the kingdom of God.
