What is a Rule of Life?

We lead busy lives. Often the important loses out to the urgent. Important things are those that reflect our personal, emotional, professional, and spiritual values. They become our “north star” to guide our lives. The urgent is often what happens when we don’t attend to the important. As Christians, we seek clarity about those things that are essential for our growth as disciples.

When someone says to me, “I don’t feel that I am growing as a Christian. My life seems to be going nowhere.” My response is, “Are you practicing the things that are important to you, the things that give your life meaning and purpose? How’s your prayer life? Your devotional reading? Your fellowship with other believers?” Often, my friend is neglecting those basic practices of life and the results are clear.

This has been a challenge for believers since the time of Christ. How does one stay focused on and practice those things that produce personal and spiritual growth?

One approach is to practice a rule of life. In Soulfeast, Marjorie Thompson defines a rule of life in this way:

“A rule of life is a pattern of spiritual disciplines that provide structure and direction for growth in holiness…. It fosters gifts of the Spirit in personal life and human community, helping to form us into the persons God intends us to be.”

The meaning of the word “rule” comes from the Greek word for trellis. A trellis is a tool designed to enable a grapevine to get off the ground and grow upward, to become more fruitful and productive. In the same way, a rule of life can be the trellis that helps us abide in Christ and become more fruitful spiritually.

We could use a number of terms to define these guidelines for Christian practice--rule of life, core habits, way of life, or marks of discipleship, for example. What all of these ideas have in common is that they are clearly articulated so that a person will know if he or she is practicing them.

Another key element is that a rule of life is most often created by a group of believers who encourage each other to practice them. In Missional Renaissance, Reggie McNeal observes, “Genuine spirituality lives and flourishes only in cultures and relationships of accountability.”

A rule of life provides a framework or pattern for a group of believers to walk alongside and encourage each other to pursue those practices that lead to spiritual health and faithful service. Companions for the journey not only encourage us but they call us to account for our practices when necessary.

Have you considered the practices you need to follow as a believer? Do you have a rule of life?

Creating a Rule of Life by Robin Sandbothe and Ircel Harrison is now available on Amazon.

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