Getting Ready For The Week | Rule of Life
Getting Ready For The Week | Rule of Life
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Reading For Sunday | Matthew 7:24-25
Why You Need A Blueprint For Your Life With God
If you’ve ever watched a house being built, you know there’s a lot going on before the first wall goes up. Builders don’t just show up with some lumber and nails and hope for the best—they start with a plan. A good set of blueprints shows how everything fits together so the finished home is strong, livable, and beautiful.
The same is true in our walk with Jesus.
If we want a life that is rooted in Him, shaped by His truth, and resilient when the storms come, we can’t just “wing it.” We need an intentional framework—a rule of life.
Where the Idea Comes From:
The concept of a rule of life has deep roots in Christian history. Early followers of Jesus—especially in the monastic communities of the 4th–6th centuries—used it as a way to describe the shared rhythms, commitments, and practices that helped them grow in Christ together. The Latin word regula (where we get “rule”) didn’t mean a law to follow—it meant a straight piece of wood used as a guide, like a ruler in carpentry.
One of the most famous images for a rule of life is the trellis in the garden. The trellis doesn’t give life to the plant—it simply provides structure so the plant can grow healthy, strong, and fruitful. Jesus used similar imagery when He said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine” (John 15:4). A trellis supports the abiding life He’s talking about.
If the Word “Rule” Feels Too Harsh
If “rule” sounds rigid or legalistic to you, you’re not alone. It might help to think of it as a rhythm of life, pattern of living, or even blueprint. The point isn’t to create more burdens or checklists—it’s to help us live with intention instead of drift, making space to “be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
When Jesus told the story of the wise and foolish builders, He described the wise person as the one who “hears these words of mine and puts them into practice”—building on the rock so the house stands firm when the rain falls and the winds blow (Matthew 7:24–25). A rule of life is one way to build on that rock, shaping our days so our lives are anchored in Him.
This week, we’re going to walk through the “parts of the house” and see how they can guide us in building a life that’s centered on Jesus. Each day we’ll look at one piece—the foundation, the blueprint, the framing, the roof, and even the ongoing maintenance—and discover how God is inviting us to intentionally shape our lives with Him at the center.
So here’s the question we’ll keep coming back to:
What kind of house am I building with my life?
And even more important: Is it a place where God delights to dwell?
The same is true in our walk with Jesus.
If we want a life that is rooted in Him, shaped by His truth, and resilient when the storms come, we can’t just “wing it.” We need an intentional framework—a rule of life.
Where the Idea Comes From:
The concept of a rule of life has deep roots in Christian history. Early followers of Jesus—especially in the monastic communities of the 4th–6th centuries—used it as a way to describe the shared rhythms, commitments, and practices that helped them grow in Christ together. The Latin word regula (where we get “rule”) didn’t mean a law to follow—it meant a straight piece of wood used as a guide, like a ruler in carpentry.
One of the most famous images for a rule of life is the trellis in the garden. The trellis doesn’t give life to the plant—it simply provides structure so the plant can grow healthy, strong, and fruitful. Jesus used similar imagery when He said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine” (John 15:4). A trellis supports the abiding life He’s talking about.
If the Word “Rule” Feels Too Harsh
If “rule” sounds rigid or legalistic to you, you’re not alone. It might help to think of it as a rhythm of life, pattern of living, or even blueprint. The point isn’t to create more burdens or checklists—it’s to help us live with intention instead of drift, making space to “be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
When Jesus told the story of the wise and foolish builders, He described the wise person as the one who “hears these words of mine and puts them into practice”—building on the rock so the house stands firm when the rain falls and the winds blow (Matthew 7:24–25). A rule of life is one way to build on that rock, shaping our days so our lives are anchored in Him.
This week, we’re going to walk through the “parts of the house” and see how they can guide us in building a life that’s centered on Jesus. Each day we’ll look at one piece—the foundation, the blueprint, the framing, the roof, and even the ongoing maintenance—and discover how God is inviting us to intentionally shape our lives with Him at the center.
So here’s the question we’ll keep coming back to:
What kind of house am I building with my life?
And even more important: Is it a place where God delights to dwell?
RESOURCES | For Further Study
- Emotionally Healthy Spirituality – Pete Scazzero
- The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction – Justin Whitmel Earley
- Crafting a Rule of Life – Stephen A. Macchia
- Rule of Life Podcast: John Mark Comer