The Reflection Rule of Life
What is a rule of life
A rule of life is a handful of practices, chosen on purpose, that make room in an ordinary week for God to do what only he can do.
Or put another way: it is how we take Jesus at his word that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Not one more thing to carry — a different way of carrying everything.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11v28–30
Nine core Practices
We are learning these together as a church family. Jesus' life with God was marked by these nine Practices, and the hope is that over time the same could be said of us. Kept imperfectly, in the company of people who know us.
Be with Jesus
Become like Jesus
- A community of holiness in a culture of indulgence through the practice of Fasting
- A community of rest in a culture of over-work through the practice of Sabbath
- A community of enough in a culture of never enough through the practice of Generosity
- A community of shared life in a culture of isolation through the practice of Community
Do what Jesus did
- A community of hospitality in a culture of hostility through the practice of Witness
- A community of kinship in a culture of indifference through the practice of Service
The Guides
Each Practice has a Guide — a script for a Community night, with communion, an overview to read aloud, a practice to do together, and a practice for the week ahead. They are written to be read out loud by whoever is hosting.
- PrayerPause and pray morning, midday and evening.
- ScriptureRead the Scriptures daily.
- SolitudeA daily time of Silent Prayer. Two minutes is a real beginning.
- FastingFast one meal a week, and pray in the space it leaves.
- SabbathOne day in seven to stop, rest, delight and contemplate.
- GenerosityGive — money, time or resources — as a response, not a duty.
- CommunityGather weekly with your Community — eat, pray, share life.Guide coming soon
- WitnessPray by name, at midday, for people who don't yet know Jesus.
- ServiceA monthly act of service on the margins, aimed at kinship.Guide coming soon
On your own
These pages explain a practice to one person rather than to a room. Start here if you're new to it.
The Daily Prayer Rhythm
The one practice the whole church shares. Morning, midday and evening — short and sincere is enough.
None of this is meant to be done alone
The Practices were never designed for a person on their own. They are kept around a table, with ten or fifteen people who know your name.