Spiritual Practices #6 The Elements of A Rule of Life Romans chapter 12 verses 1 to 5

A “rule” of life – from the Greek word for ”trellis” (structure)

Romans chapter 12 - A living sacrifice/Life in God’s service 1And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [This is your spiritual worship; your reasonable service.] 2 Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. v2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (NIV) Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. (MSG)

PRAYER Scripture Silence & solitude Prayer pattern (Daily Office) REST Sabbath Play & recreation Simplicity WORK/ACTIVITY Service and mission Study or spiritual direction Physical health (Diet, exercise, rest) RELATIONSHIPS Family Community (faith companions) Emotional health

WORK 1. Service and mission Who are we and whose are we? Is our life and work (employment or voluntary) our own possession or God’s gift to us with privilege and responsibility attached? In what ways is God inviting me to serve him at this stage of my journey? In what ways can I use my gifts, resources and passions to serve him? What is my calling? Am I investing in activities of eternal significance? Is my life, our life as a family, all about God’s mission or all about us?

The mission of the PCANZ is to work with others in order to make Jesus Christ known through Nurture and teaching Loving service Proclaiming the gospel Transforming society (working for peace and justice) Caring for creation There are church ministries like Children and youth and young adults (leading, helping, mentoring) Adult ministries of housegroups, men’s and women’s ministries, music and worship, sound & data desk, prayer chain, pastoral care, Welcoming, Alpha marriage course, Finance & Site Management Teams, and operation tea break. Local outreach of Alpha Courses, Bible in Schools (CRE), Prison ministry, Mainly Music, Buzz Holiday Programme and FFF plus the International Missions Committee.

Ministries and missions in Palmy: Age Concern, Retirement homes Conservation groups - Forest and Bird, A Rocha ESOL Foodbanks & Just Zilch Habitat for Humanity Literacy Aotearoa and Numeracy, Reading in schools Living Waters Healing Course Manawatu Multicultural Centre, Friends of Friends Fellowship Maori courses Parenting courses Phone helplines Pregnancy Help Prison Fellowship/Angel Tree Refugees – Red Cross Street Van Student ministry – high schools & Tertiary Women’s refuge

2. Study Every person has a worldview or philosophy of life, whether it is implicit or explicit. “But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2 v16) “Do not be conformed to the worlds way of thinking but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Rom 12 v2) “Consider studying not simply for information but for formation in Christ.” (Peter Scazzero)

3. Physical health (diet, exercise, rest, medical checks) “19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body.” (1 Cor 6)

1. Emotional health RELATIONSHIPS We are all shaped by the experiences and traumas of our past, and by the patterns of coping and relating in our families of origin. We all know that sometimes the behaviours of others can push our buttons and bruises and cause us to over react or withdraw…. We may have unprocessed feelings of rejection and abandonment, abuse or neglect, grief and loss, put-downs and criticisms. These can shape and spoil our lives, hinder our growth and development, cause us to behave badly or to crumble and become timid under pressure.

3. Community (faith companions) Family Family is God’s idea…..but let’s not make it an idol! 3. Community (faith companions) We are not meant to be “Lone Ranger Christians”…. We find privileges, support and responsibilities within the church family/community.

WORK/ACTIVITY Service and mission Study or spiritual direction Physical health (Diet, exercise, rest) RELATIONSHIPS Emotional health Family Community (faith companions) In which areas would you benefit from setting some goals?