The Rule of Life

October 5, 2022

For this episode, Adam and Micki Ann switch roles to allow Adam to tell the story of how he came to realize that he needed to craft a rule of life. As they discuss life-giving habits, real limitations, and the rhythms that guide both of these categories, Micki Ann and Adam explain the rule of life and how it benefits the whole self.

A rule of life is the ordering of your spiritual disciplines and boundaries to “support spiritual growth and life." Adam shares that even though his life was full of prayer, Bible reading, and listening to sermons, he felt empty and drained. By crafting a rule of life around daily, weekly, and yearly practices, Adam’s life took on a rhythm of doing and not doing that strengthened his spiritual life. As much as the rule of life is individual (based on your own personality, abilities, limitations, etc.), it’s important to practice it in community – for accountability, encouragement, and edification.

Listen in to this episode to hear ways to start crafting a rule of life, and find out why this rhythm is like growing cucumbers.

 

Jump Through the Conversation

  • [1:50] What is a rule of life?

  • [6:14] How Adam found himself needing a rule of life

  • [11:01] Why Adam’s spiritual practices were draining and how he reconfigured them

  • [16:51] The individual and corporate aspects of the rule of life

  • [19:32] The importance of writing things down

  • [20:40] Adam’s growth with his rule of life

  • [25:54] Example from the retreat guide on how to develop a rule of life

  • [32:52] On starting small

  • [37:50] The benefit of doing the rule of life in community

  • [40:52] Adam’s family and the rule of life

 

Links and Resources

 

A resource of the Chattanooga House of Prayer