Outline

As churches across the Diocese of Portsmouth support the shared vision to become a community of Jesus-centered, kingdom-seeking disciples, a Rule of Life offers us a framework for becoming more like Jesus.

Rules of Life have been around for centuries, each tailored to their community but with a shared family likeness in how we live and grow in everyday faith. One of the best known is the Rule of Benedict, whose framework for living was focused on how those in monasteries lived alongside each other. Patterns of living and ways of life have had many different titles over the years, all seeking to enable and encourage one another to express what we believe through the way we shape and order our days.

All of us already have a rule of life in some form, whether we realise or not. We have rules of life in households, in places of work, in church communities and in our personal lives. Our values and beliefs drive our actions and behaviours, as we are shaped by the culture and community around us.

A Rule of Life may sound an odd objective in our modern world, yet these nine core practices from the teaching of Jesus form a tried and tested trellis that allows us to grow and bear fruit. If we want to see lives transformed bringing deep inner healing we need to adopt a plan that will help this to happen.

Designed to be flexible and creative, a Rule of Life is for everyone – young and old, newbies and established Christians – and is shaped around nine practices that we are called to as followers of Christ.

The Practices

Sabbath

The spiritual journey begins with rest. Rest is essential as we seek to follow Jesus. We all get tired but many of us operate at a dangerous level of exhaustion. Sabbath is a whole day set aside not only to stop and rest but also to delight in and worship the God who made us for relationship with him. We all need space to allow our hearts to be restored and our souls revived.

Solitude

Often this space can only be found in times of solitude. We need to get away, just as Jesus did, and spend time alone with God. Solitude has a unspoken companion – silence. We now live in a world where we are bombarded by information and the chaos of clamoring distractions. This noise overloads our minds and robs us of our peace. The practice of solitude gives us time to restore the quiet to our souls.

Scripture

In a world that seeks to mould us to its own values, it is in God’s word that we find a solid foundation for our lives. We simply need to immerse ourselves in scripture in each and every day. In this way we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Whether alone, on an app or gathered in church for a Sunday sermon we simply must be shaped by scripture.

Generosity

As we slow down and arrange our lives by being centred in Jesus, this simplicity of life will enable generosity. Once we let go of some of the superficial shiny stuff we are able to give more to God. This is one of the most joyful of all practices. It is a response to the love God has shown to us in sending his son who gave everything so that we might be set free to find a new life in him.

Prayer

By prayer we mean all forms of conversation with God. So this can be talking with him, listening to him or simply spending time in his presence. If we want to maintain a relationship we need to be in communication with the other person. There is no special formula but the essentials are to show up, be real and keep going. Time for prayer is the bedrock of the spiritual life.

Fasting

At the centre of the teaching of the sermon on the mount Jesus tells us how to do three things: give, pray and fast. He says when you fast, not if. This lost discipline can be so helpful in breaking the power of the flesh as we yield our bodies to God’s will. It is hard to do, especially as we begin, but it has been part of our Christian tradition from the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness.

Community

We are not meant to follow Jesus alone. The individualism of Western culture has caused so many issues and problems for our society. It is in relationships that we are formed and forged. From coming together on Sunday to meeting in small groups, we find that our deepest wounds are healed when we come into community. It is in community that we can practice hospitality and build life affirming relationships.

Service

As we aim to do what Jesus did we need to serve others just as he did. This is not about joining a rota, but a life surrendered to his plans and purposes for us. Not only does the practice of service have the potential to mend our broken world but it is in serving others that we ourselves are healed. Jesus sets us this example and promised that we will be blessed as we seek to bless others.

Witness

We are all called to be witnesses. We may feel scared and intimidated by the word evangelism but we can all tell of what Jesus has done in our lives. In linking our story to his story we can draw others into opening up their story. Creating opportunities to embody and extend the love of Christ through hospitality or merely listening can create chances to share something of the good news of Jesus.

Nine disciplines are a lot to remember. Grouping in threes will help with this.

• The first three are about making space to be with God.
• The second three form the centre of the teaching in the sermon on the Mount in that order. Prayer is at the centre of all of them.
• The last three are about looking out and being with others.