“A Rule of Life” comprises a simply structured
routine of value-based life practices intentionally undertaken in maintaining
and deepening one’s relationship with God; it comprises aspects of personal and
communal praxis.” Rule of Life frameworks enable in the formation and fulfillment
of an intentional Christian discipleship.
Christian discipleship’s intention and more; it’s formational-action
within structure. A disciple’s heart allegiance to Christ is intentionality or
desire harnessed as lifestyle. Historically pursuing discipleship-desire “the
journey of formation” will be commonly framed through constructing (or
adopting) and embracing a “Rule of Life”; one adequate of supporting both
personal and communal formation. “Rule of Life practices are firstly modeled
within the “textual communities” of Torah, John the Baptist, Jesus, Apostolic,
Pauline churches, and later-epistle Christianity; secondly, in the key monastic
communities of Pachomius, (323BCE), Augustine (400BCE) and Benedict (540BCE).
And thirdly as a praxis-life feature in a diversity of historic renewal
movements like Anabaptists, Wesleyans, and Navigators. Contemporary Rule of
Life applications grow from these historical experiences.
Stephen Macchia’s explanation is really helpful . . .
The word “rule” derives from the Latin word, regula, which implies not so much a
system of rules and laws, but rather a way of regulating or regularizing our
lives so that we can stay on the path that we have set for ourselves. A rule is
like a trellis which offers support and guidance for a plant, helping it grow
in a certain direction.[1]
Your personally applicable Rule of Life generally
integrates daily, weekly, monthly, and annual praxis routines and spiritual
exercises within its working structure. It is a rule in two senses; (1) as a
tool that equips one in establishing natural and spiritual life patterns and
disciplines, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and evaluating the progression
of intentions, and (2) as a set of common or communal values of biblically
ascertained Christian discipleship which enable the nurturing of personal and
corporate spiritual formation.
Now . . . it’s time to
consider your “Rule of Life”
“My Rule
of Life” in 1st draft
[1]Stephen A. Macchia, Crafting a Rule of Life: An Invitation to
the Well-Ordered Way. Downers Grove, Ill.: Formatio/IVP Books, 2012, p.14.
Keith
Meyer. Spiritual Rhythms in Community Being Together in the
Presence of God. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books, 2012.
John
C. Douglas, "The Effectiveness of a Rule of Life as Growth
Processing Framework in the Development of New Zealand Evangelical Church
Leaders’ Spiritual Discipline Behaviors (Project Draft)." doctoral
dissertation, Denver Seminary 2013.
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