All of us have an unwritten personal rule of life. We wake at certain times, get ready for our days in particular ways, use our free time for assorted purposes and practice rhythms of work, hobbies, and worship. There is already a rule in place that you are following. Isnt it time to give up your unwritten rule and prayerfully write one that more closely matches the heartbeat of God? In this practical workbook Stephen A. Macchia looks to St. Benedict as a guide for discovering your own rule of life in community. It is a process that takes time and concerted effort; you must listen to God and discern what he wants you to be and do for his glory. But through the basic disciplines of Scripture, prayer and reflection in a small group context you will be lead forward in a journey toward Christlikeness. The invitation is transformational, so brace yourself for sweet release. By letting go and trusting God, you will receive the gift of life in its fullest and richest form.
Crafting a Rule of Life
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"In Crafting a Rule of Life Steve Macchia tackles the central question facing the intentional disciple of Jesus Christ: How do I shape the rhythms of my life so I can walk with God? Steve's gentle, wise and practical guidance will help you draw closer to Jesus on a day-by-day basis. This is not a book to miss." (Christopher Webb, president of Renovaré USA and author of The Fire of the Word)
"Helping people develop their own personal rule of life so that their lives truly revolve around the love of Jesus is one of the most important issues facing the church today. Steve has made a wonderful contribution in writing this practical, thorough book. I highly recommend it!" (Pete Scazzero, pastor and author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality)
"Whether our lives are overregulated or disheveled, a 'rule of life' may be what we need--and this book will help. It is not about 'rules' but about the end and purpose of life--to know and love God and become all he made us to be. Read it as a guide to shaping a life, neither frittered away in self-indulgence nor constrained by expectations of others, but growing into the fullness of Christ. You will find Steve Macchia to be a wise and seasoned companion on the way." (Leighton Ford, author of The Attentive Life)
"Crafting a Rule of Life is a special gift of grace for all who seek a more faithful and fulfilling way of living as a follower of Jesus Christ. Steve Macchia clearly and compellingly writes about the value of a disciplined way of living for individuals and small groups, and then offers a carefully constructed pathway to find that more faithful and fulfilling way." (Rueben P. Job, coauthor of A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants and retired Bishop of the United Methodist Church)
"I often talk to people who feel 'living insanity' defines them more than 'living in sanity.' But one doesn't move from the former to the latter without intention and a plan. Crafting a Rule of Life offers a practical and doable process to move your life from insanely busy and driven to the sweet sanity of ordered work and rest. Biblical and historical guides accompany you on the crafting journey. Steve's book is a wonderful tool for your journey." (Adele Calhoun, author of Spiritual Disciplines Handbook and Invitations from God)
"The genius of Steve's approach is he makes ancient ways contemporary, personal and practical. Saint Benedict joins your daily commute. George Mueller helps you reconcile your bank statement. There's no need to live in a cave or meditate atop a pillar. The life you long to live can be fashioned from the life you already have." (From the foreword by Mark Buchanan, author of Spiritual Rhythm)
"Helping people develop their own personal rule of life so that their lives truly revolve around the love of Jesus is one of the most important issues facing the church today. Steve has made a wonderful contribution in writing this practical, thorough book. I highly recommend it!" (Pete Scazzero, pastor and author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality)
"Whether our lives are overregulated or disheveled, a 'rule of life' may be what we need--and this book will help. It is not about 'rules' but about the end and purpose of life--to know and love God and become all he made us to be. Read it as a guide to shaping a life, neither frittered away in self-indulgence nor constrained by expectations of others, but growing into the fullness of Christ. You will find Steve Macchia to be a wise and seasoned companion on the way." (Leighton Ford, author of The Attentive Life)
"Crafting a Rule of Life is a special gift of grace for all who seek a more faithful and fulfilling way of living as a follower of Jesus Christ. Steve Macchia clearly and compellingly writes about the value of a disciplined way of living for individuals and small groups, and then offers a carefully constructed pathway to find that more faithful and fulfilling way." (Rueben P. Job, coauthor of A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants and retired Bishop of the United Methodist Church)
"I often talk to people who feel 'living insanity' defines them more than 'living in sanity.' But one doesn't move from the former to the latter without intention and a plan. Crafting a Rule of Life offers a practical and doable process to move your life from insanely busy and driven to the sweet sanity of ordered work and rest. Biblical and historical guides accompany you on the crafting journey. Steve's book is a wonderful tool for your journey." (Adele Calhoun, author of Spiritual Disciplines Handbook and Invitations from God)
"The genius of Steve's approach is he makes ancient ways contemporary, personal and practical. Saint Benedict joins your daily commute. George Mueller helps you reconcile your bank statement. There's no need to live in a cave or meditate atop a pillar. The life you long to live can be fashioned from the life you already have." (From the foreword by Mark Buchanan, author of Spiritual Rhythm)
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More About the Author
Stephen A. Macchia is the founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (www.LeadershipTransformations.org) and the creator of the CHAT Survey for churches (Church Health Assessment Tool, details at www.healthychurch.net). He also serves as the director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA. Steve is the author of six books, including Becoming A Healthy Church (Baker Books), Becoming A Healthy Disciple (Baker Books), Becoming A Healthy Team (Baker Books), and most recently, Crafting a Rule of Life (IVP). Visit www.RuleofLife.com for more info.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm grateful to Steve Macchia for doing the detailed and diligent work that made this unique resource possible. You don't write a gem like this one on an iPad at Starbucks--rich insights don't flow from caffeine and deadlines. They ooze out from a lifetime of walking with God, loving Jesus, and disciplined listening and writing.
Macchia's amazing sweep of Christian history (not the main point of the book--but a delightful bonus) includes dozens of poster-quality quotes, like this from J.I. Packer:
"What matters supremely, therefore is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it--the fact that he knows me. I am graven on the palms of his hands. I am never out of his mind. All my knowledge of him depends on his sustained initiative in knowing me. I know him, because he first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment when his eye is off me, or his attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when his care falters. This is momentous knowledge."
Macchia is gutsy enough to imagine a 21st century Christianity that would care about a first century hero of the faith. "In his classic, `Little Rule for Beginners,' Benedict's opening word is Listen! He offers a way of listening in a safe, faith-filled community environment. Here God's voice can be heard by those seeking him through humility and obedience. In community, like-minded and like-hearted believers best learn to practice the disciplines of prayer, healthy relationships and good works."
And so...Macchia invites Christ-followers to develop "a set of guidelines that support or enable us to do the things we want and need to do." St. Benedict and St. Steve call these "rules of life." But don't let the common definition of rule scare you off because Macchia says the right "rules" will foster immense joy and freedom.
He adds, "A rule of life is like a trellis which offers support and guidance for a plant, helping it to grow in a certain direction." Maybe you could call your small group, "St. Bennie's Trellis Team." (I have first dibs on the T-shirt franchise.)
The book--perfect for a highly committed small group (your spiritual community) or for individual use--has three parts: framing, forming and fulfilling your personal rule of life. It's very, very practical--without being pedantic.
The "framing" section (five chapters) helps you drill down deep to assess your God-given Roles, Gifts, Desires, Vision and Mission. Each chapter includes a Guiding Principle, a Biblical Reflection, an Historical Insight, and then questions for your Personal Rule of Life, and more questions for your Spiritual Community.
In the Vision chapter, we read Frederick Buechner's inspiring insight: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." (Whew! That's a keeper!)
You will love Macchia's gracious and unspoken whacks at our long-standing mantras and Sunday School pat answers. Example: I've taught the "Time, Talent, Treasure" principle for years. Steve says there's more--five T's:
--Time (Spiritual Priorities)
--Trust (Relational Priorities)
--Temple (Physical Priorities--now he's meddling!)
--Treasure (Financial Priorities)
--Talent (Missional Priorities)
He invests a chapter for each T and, especially in this "forming your personal rule of life" section, the historical insights include several "Drop everything! Let me read this to you!" segments. (My dear wife is long-suffering and long-listening!)
History buffs will eat up the mini-bios of 12 notable saints: C.S. Lewis, Phillis Wheatley, Harold J. Ockenga, St. Benedict, Adoniram Judson, Jonathan Edwards, William Wilberforce, Augustine (Yikes! Talk about a conversion!), George Mueller, Fanny Crosby, John Calvin and John Wesley. It's a faith feast--with stunning connections to the rule of life theme.
I confess (like Augustine)--I read the last 12 pages first. Macchia profiles four real people who have crafted their own personal rule of life: Josh (college student), Anne (young mom), Mike (ministry leader), and Lynn (business person). The four full-page grids summarize each person's rule of life. (And any book that has a grid is my kind of book.)
Across the top of each grid is: Time, Trust, Temple, Treasure and Talent. Down the left-hand column is: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly and Annually.
And this reminder: your own grid and your own rule of life is not about striving to please God (see my review of The Cure: What If God Isn't Who You Think He Is And Neither Are You), it's about loving and trusting God and building your life's focus onto a "trellis" so your direction is intentional and God-honoring. "The enemy of our soul," says Macchia, "wants to pull us off the trellis to wander and fend for ourselves."
P.S. I have about a dozen measures of a good book. I just added another one. On page 131, I found myself humming the memorable tune and soul-satisfying lyrics of a Fanny Crosby hymn. (Hymn? If you're under 30, google the word.)
Macchia's amazing sweep of Christian history (not the main point of the book--but a delightful bonus) includes dozens of poster-quality quotes, like this from J.I. Packer:
"What matters supremely, therefore is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it--the fact that he knows me. I am graven on the palms of his hands. I am never out of his mind. All my knowledge of him depends on his sustained initiative in knowing me. I know him, because he first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment when his eye is off me, or his attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when his care falters. This is momentous knowledge."
Macchia is gutsy enough to imagine a 21st century Christianity that would care about a first century hero of the faith. "In his classic, `Little Rule for Beginners,' Benedict's opening word is Listen! He offers a way of listening in a safe, faith-filled community environment. Here God's voice can be heard by those seeking him through humility and obedience. In community, like-minded and like-hearted believers best learn to practice the disciplines of prayer, healthy relationships and good works."
And so...Macchia invites Christ-followers to develop "a set of guidelines that support or enable us to do the things we want and need to do." St. Benedict and St. Steve call these "rules of life." But don't let the common definition of rule scare you off because Macchia says the right "rules" will foster immense joy and freedom.
He adds, "A rule of life is like a trellis which offers support and guidance for a plant, helping it to grow in a certain direction." Maybe you could call your small group, "St. Bennie's Trellis Team." (I have first dibs on the T-shirt franchise.)
The book--perfect for a highly committed small group (your spiritual community) or for individual use--has three parts: framing, forming and fulfilling your personal rule of life. It's very, very practical--without being pedantic.
The "framing" section (five chapters) helps you drill down deep to assess your God-given Roles, Gifts, Desires, Vision and Mission. Each chapter includes a Guiding Principle, a Biblical Reflection, an Historical Insight, and then questions for your Personal Rule of Life, and more questions for your Spiritual Community.
In the Vision chapter, we read Frederick Buechner's inspiring insight: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." (Whew! That's a keeper!)
You will love Macchia's gracious and unspoken whacks at our long-standing mantras and Sunday School pat answers. Example: I've taught the "Time, Talent, Treasure" principle for years. Steve says there's more--five T's:
--Time (Spiritual Priorities)
--Trust (Relational Priorities)
--Temple (Physical Priorities--now he's meddling!)
--Treasure (Financial Priorities)
--Talent (Missional Priorities)
He invests a chapter for each T and, especially in this "forming your personal rule of life" section, the historical insights include several "Drop everything! Let me read this to you!" segments. (My dear wife is long-suffering and long-listening!)
History buffs will eat up the mini-bios of 12 notable saints: C.S. Lewis, Phillis Wheatley, Harold J. Ockenga, St. Benedict, Adoniram Judson, Jonathan Edwards, William Wilberforce, Augustine (Yikes! Talk about a conversion!), George Mueller, Fanny Crosby, John Calvin and John Wesley. It's a faith feast--with stunning connections to the rule of life theme.
I confess (like Augustine)--I read the last 12 pages first. Macchia profiles four real people who have crafted their own personal rule of life: Josh (college student), Anne (young mom), Mike (ministry leader), and Lynn (business person). The four full-page grids summarize each person's rule of life. (And any book that has a grid is my kind of book.)
Across the top of each grid is: Time, Trust, Temple, Treasure and Talent. Down the left-hand column is: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly and Annually.
And this reminder: your own grid and your own rule of life is not about striving to please God (see my review of The Cure: What If God Isn't Who You Think He Is And Neither Are You), it's about loving and trusting God and building your life's focus onto a "trellis" so your direction is intentional and God-honoring. "The enemy of our soul," says Macchia, "wants to pull us off the trellis to wander and fend for ourselves."
P.S. I have about a dozen measures of a good book. I just added another one. On page 131, I found myself humming the memorable tune and soul-satisfying lyrics of a Fanny Crosby hymn. (Hymn? If you're under 30, google the word.)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love this book/workbook (see the website). I've been waiting almost three years for it. I was introduced to Stephen Macchia and the Rule of Benedict while attending a Renovaré Conference in June of 2009. Following that conference and the workshop I attended with Dr. Macchia, I immediately set out to use the information I learned from my notes and worksheets and I crafted my own personal Rule of Life. Since that time, I have continued the discipline of practicing a Rule of Life and I've taught others to do the same. I was greatly delighted when I was notified that Stephen had finally put together and published a workbook that could be used for individuals and groups. I did not hesitate a moment with getting my own copy.
While the book is arranged and formatted in the style of a workbook (fill-in-the-blank, listed notes, personal journal sections, tables, charts, and etc.), there are very informative reading sections that provide historical context, Biblical reasoning and reflection for the purpose of your rule and what each component of the rule represents, and anecdotal personal interest reading. It is a good and engaging mix that will appeal equally with individuals or groups who will work through Crafting a Rule of Life.
The book begins with an introduction explaining what a Rule of Life is in a literal context and moves from there to give a historical understanding of the same as Macchia shares the origins of the Rule as crafted by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century (540AD).
The workbook is formatted into three primary sections; Part One: Framing Your Personal Rule of Life, Part Two: Forming Your Personal Rule of Life, and Part Three: Fulfilling Your Personal Rule of Life. Each section has a number of sub-sections and exercises to work through that assist in crafting a rule that will result in a workable and unique grouping of disciplines helpful in Christ-like spiritual formation.
Part One is helpful in becoming "self aware" with exercises designed to examine and understand personal relationships, individual gifts and talents, and more. This is a needful first-step in order to proceed to Part Two, which helps to identify the components of your Rule that will need structured and in what capacity of development. Part Three moves the personal rule into a context of community with exercises designed to bring fulfillment to the Personal Rule.
The workbook is completed with a few pages of resources, suggested reading list, and a few personal testimonials from persons sharing their experience with crafting a personal rule of life.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I was and remain very excited about the publication of this book. I plan to use it often as a personal resource guide (my original notes weren't nearly as comprehensive as this workbook), and as a teaching tool to share this wonderful spiritual discipline. I cannot speak enthusiastically enough about what a positive experience having the Rule of Life in my own spiritual journey has been. This is an excellent resource for the individual and I think it is even better suited for groups. Thank you, Stephen Macchia, for this awesome resource!
While the book is arranged and formatted in the style of a workbook (fill-in-the-blank, listed notes, personal journal sections, tables, charts, and etc.), there are very informative reading sections that provide historical context, Biblical reasoning and reflection for the purpose of your rule and what each component of the rule represents, and anecdotal personal interest reading. It is a good and engaging mix that will appeal equally with individuals or groups who will work through Crafting a Rule of Life.
The book begins with an introduction explaining what a Rule of Life is in a literal context and moves from there to give a historical understanding of the same as Macchia shares the origins of the Rule as crafted by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century (540AD).
The workbook is formatted into three primary sections; Part One: Framing Your Personal Rule of Life, Part Two: Forming Your Personal Rule of Life, and Part Three: Fulfilling Your Personal Rule of Life. Each section has a number of sub-sections and exercises to work through that assist in crafting a rule that will result in a workable and unique grouping of disciplines helpful in Christ-like spiritual formation.
Part One is helpful in becoming "self aware" with exercises designed to examine and understand personal relationships, individual gifts and talents, and more. This is a needful first-step in order to proceed to Part Two, which helps to identify the components of your Rule that will need structured and in what capacity of development. Part Three moves the personal rule into a context of community with exercises designed to bring fulfillment to the Personal Rule.
The workbook is completed with a few pages of resources, suggested reading list, and a few personal testimonials from persons sharing their experience with crafting a personal rule of life.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I was and remain very excited about the publication of this book. I plan to use it often as a personal resource guide (my original notes weren't nearly as comprehensive as this workbook), and as a teaching tool to share this wonderful spiritual discipline. I cannot speak enthusiastically enough about what a positive experience having the Rule of Life in my own spiritual journey has been. This is an excellent resource for the individual and I think it is even better suited for groups. Thank you, Stephen Macchia, for this awesome resource!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Christian spiritual life, all too often, appears to be abstract, disjointed, lacking unity and cohesion. All too often, our pursuit of God is segmented from the "everyday, ordinary life," rather than encompassed within it. We regard God as something for "over there", whether "over there" happens to be a Sunday School, a church building, a soup kitchen, or a mission field. We do not think of the realm of the with-God life as being the ordinary, the routine, the normal happenstance that fill our days and hours, which is, in reality, the arena of faithfulness.
Stephen Macchia, in his book Crafting a Rule of Life: An Invitation to a Well-Ordered Way, provides a remedy for this common way of thinking, a counter-narrative for those lost, confused, and lacking direction in how best to follow after Jesus Christ. Borrowing wisdom that spans the work of the Spirit across history and searches out nuggets from various nooks and crannies of the Kingdom, this book will guide you through a step-by-step reflection that, with the help of God, can lead to the development of a comprehensive vision for growth in the Christian spiritual life.
Here are five valuable benefits I received from this book:
1. In crafting a rule of life, we must first look closely and carefully at the life God has given us, including our relationships, our gifts, our desires, our personal vision, and our sense of mission or ultimate purpose in life.
2. "Time, Trust, Temple, Treasure, and Talent" are helpful categories for understanding various arenas for faithfulness to God. We must grow and develop in our spiritual, relational, physical, financial, and missional priorities in order to be good stewards of the time God has given us on earth.
3. Community is vital for growth in the development of the Christian spiritual life. Macchia has a love and appreciation for the church, which renewed my own love for Christ's body.
4. In developing a rule, examples of faithfulness can be found throughout history. This diversity is a beautiful evidence of the expansiveness of God's kingdom. Macchia quotes from Adoniram Judson, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Benedict of Nursia, and Phillis Wheatley, among others.
5. Questions are often more helpful than "how-to". Macchia does a delightful job of guiding the reader through questioning, and the book itself provides space for writing reflections.
In addition to these five benefits, each chapter includes a biblical exploration that builds a strong foundation for the aspect of crafting a rule Macchia explores. You are never left wondering how this might connect to Scripture.
We all long for a thriving, vibrant life with God that transcends the ethereal and invades the everyday. This book will help. Pick it up.
Stephen Macchia, in his book Crafting a Rule of Life: An Invitation to a Well-Ordered Way, provides a remedy for this common way of thinking, a counter-narrative for those lost, confused, and lacking direction in how best to follow after Jesus Christ. Borrowing wisdom that spans the work of the Spirit across history and searches out nuggets from various nooks and crannies of the Kingdom, this book will guide you through a step-by-step reflection that, with the help of God, can lead to the development of a comprehensive vision for growth in the Christian spiritual life.
Here are five valuable benefits I received from this book:
1. In crafting a rule of life, we must first look closely and carefully at the life God has given us, including our relationships, our gifts, our desires, our personal vision, and our sense of mission or ultimate purpose in life.
2. "Time, Trust, Temple, Treasure, and Talent" are helpful categories for understanding various arenas for faithfulness to God. We must grow and develop in our spiritual, relational, physical, financial, and missional priorities in order to be good stewards of the time God has given us on earth.
3. Community is vital for growth in the development of the Christian spiritual life. Macchia has a love and appreciation for the church, which renewed my own love for Christ's body.
4. In developing a rule, examples of faithfulness can be found throughout history. This diversity is a beautiful evidence of the expansiveness of God's kingdom. Macchia quotes from Adoniram Judson, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Benedict of Nursia, and Phillis Wheatley, among others.
5. Questions are often more helpful than "how-to". Macchia does a delightful job of guiding the reader through questioning, and the book itself provides space for writing reflections.
In addition to these five benefits, each chapter includes a biblical exploration that builds a strong foundation for the aspect of crafting a rule Macchia explores. You are never left wondering how this might connect to Scripture.
We all long for a thriving, vibrant life with God that transcends the ethereal and invades the everyday. This book will help. Pick it up.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
My Review
It is a book that leads to valuble searching--of God's plan for one's life. Gives ample room for exploring God's agenda on a personal level.
Pastor Dan
Pastor Dan
Published 1 month ago by Rev Kohn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book
Ordered this book to consider as part of my annual speaking schedule. It has lots of good ideas and would be an asset to your library
Published 5 months ago by P. Hunter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Spiritual Formation
Well arranged information with very thought provoking questions to drill down to core beliefs. Has practical suggestions for implementation of principles.
Published 6 months ago by Ric Allen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth a read
This book offers a very helpful framework within which to compose our rule of life. Whether you are writting a rule of life for the first time or refreshing it, I think you will... Read more
Published 10 months ago by D. Dahli
4.0 out of 5 stars
Create structure to your spiritual journey with this helpful guide
Between 1500 and 2000 years ago, Benedict of Nursia began a movement within Christian circles that continues to this day. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Clint Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
A long-needed resource
I remember having dinner with Steve Macchia and Rick Anderson (of Leadership Transformations) a few years back. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Alan J. Fadling
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Helpful Spiritual Formation Resource
I just finished the book yesterday and it is truly a great and helpful resource! I really appreciate Macchia's approach of having every chapter follow the same structure. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Matthew Scott
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