Rule of Life
A rule of life is a commitment to do some things, so that we might become some things.
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It is an intentional plan to live a life open to receiving God's love and being changed by him.
Someone once said: 'you are what you repeatedly do.' A rule of life is a set of practices that we hope will shape & form us into a certain type of person. If you want to be patient, then practice being patient each day. If you want to have more of God in your life, then give time each day, week, month, to talk with him.
We have a personal rule of life, and each person's will be different. And we might be part of a community (like a family, a household, or a small group), which might develop a shared rule of life.
We have found the resources at Practicing the Way very helpful as we start or continue on the journey.
Listen and watch to find out about practices & Rule of Life
Practicing the Way
Rule of Life Builder
Getting Started
Everyone's rule of life will be different, because we are different people living different lives. ​The starting point is always where we are.
What could you do - in your life - that will help you recieve God's love, and be changed by him?
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We find it helpful to think in terms of a very basic structure:
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Day | What are the things I will do every sigle day? What time will I do them? How will I remind myself about them? As a church we have a shared daily rule of life, which you can read more about below. Remember: start small and do something that's realistic - you can grow it from there!
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Week | What are the things I will do each week? We love the idea of Sabbath for example: of intentionally taking a day each week to enjoy God in the life he has given you. Weekly church or morning prayer or small group could be other weekly patterns.
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Month | What could you do every month? Could you take one day a month to be with God; doing whatever you like to do in his presence?
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Year | What will your yearly rhythm be? Holidays are a part of this: how might you spend your time away from work, and bring God into the joy and relaxation of holiday? Could you go on an annual retreat?
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Once you've had a think, the key thing is: to write it down and to tell someone else about it. Remember: our Rule of Life should be a guide. It will change and adapt over time. Writing it down and telling someone just helps us to stay intentional.
Our shared daily rule of life
As a starting point, we have committed as a church to three daily practices. Each person is invited to take these up in a way that works for them. Give it a go; experiment and find what will work for you. You could do them alone, or with others (though we recommend having at least one time each day where you are alone with God).
MORNING | BIBLE
Read a portion & ask God to show you something.​
MIDDAY | LORD’S PRAYER
Stop for a moment. Be still. Pray.​
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NIGHT | AN EXAMEN
Explore your day with God.
A guide to the three daily practices
Read the Bible
Read a portion of the bible each day. Maybe a chapter or a section.
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If you're just getting started, why not start with one of the Gospels: Mark is the shortest. Then try a letter, like Ephesians or Colossians.
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We have found The Bible Project really helpful. It gives good summaries of each book.
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You might try following a reading plan, like this one.
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Many of us find using an app like this one or this one very helpful.
Say the Lord's Prayer
Say the Lord's Prayer at midday each day. This is the prayer Jesus taught his friends when they asked him to teach them how to pray. You can find out more, here. Say the version you are most familiar with. In church on a Sunday, we use this version:
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Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
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Why not set an alarm to remind you? If you're with other people, you could say it together. If you're in public, you might need to say it quietly in your head.
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Do an Examen
An examen is a simple way of reflecting - with God - on the day we've just had.
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It's best done before we go to sleep; a great way to finish your day.
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What you are doing is getting into the habit of seeing where God has been with you, and at work, in your day. God is with is; we just so often miss him!
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There is no right formula for doing this. Many of us find writing our thoughts helpful, others like to meditate.
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Whatever you do, a structure can be helpful. Here's a simple one, that uses the model:
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Replay.
Rejoice.
Repent.
Reboot .
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