“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.
PRACTICE
We practice what is preached. We understand that while knowledge of God’s truth is necessary for change, it must move from our minds into what we do with our bodies. Therefore, we are committed to personally applying and obeying what we learn, courageously taking steps of faith, and developing a fixed structure of rhythms and practices (e.g. prayer, fasting, Sabbath) that keep us close to God (“Rule of Life”). (Matthew 7:24-27, James 1:22, John 15:5)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, ’will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? ’Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:21-27
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
1 John 2:6
Rule of Life = an intentional schedule and set of Spiritual Practices that we develop over time. A Rule of Life serves as our fixed structure of rhythms that keep us abiding in Jesus, helps us to produce the fruits of the Spirit in our life, and offers protection during difficult seasons in our life.
Spiritual Practice = any regular and intentional activity that develops and nourishes our relationship with Jesus, and helps us to love and live as Jesus did.
Objection No. 1: I’m not a nun/monk!
Objection No. 2: Too legalistic and restrictive.
5 STEPS TO BUILDING YOUR RULE OF LIFE
1. Pick
2. Make
3. Start
I will [WHAT?] read 1 chapter from the Gospels [WHEN?] Monday-Friday at 6am [WHERE?] at my kitchen table [HOW?] by using my paper Bible and before looking at my phone.
4. Don’t Give Up!
5. Continue
“A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
But don’t begin until you count the cost…” Luke 14:25-33
Discussion/Application Questions:
- What challenged you, encouraged you, or confused you in this week’s teaching?
- Read Matthew 7:21-27. How are you currently practicing what you are learning in your journey of faith in Jesus?
What do you think about this quote by Pastor John Mark Comer? Does anything in the quote below resonate with your own experience of following Jesus?
Ironically, in our attempts to avoid the difficult path of discipleship, we make our life harder, not easier. In our pursuit of happiness over obedience, we make our life less and less happy. In our resistance to Jesus ’yoke, we end up shouldering the crushing burden of our own unsatisfied desires. —John Mark Comer
What is the one Spiritual Practice that you might be interested in exploring? How do you think that particular Practice may help you live and love more like Jesus?
- What is one tangible step you will take this week in response to the Scriptures and message we heard this week?
Additional Resources:
• www.practicingtheway.org/resources
• www.monterey.church/practices
• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• liturgy of the ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren
• The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg