Rule of Life
Again and again, we learned in Daniel that God rules all and His rule is absolutely trustworthy. We saw that God planned His commitments to redeem us and He has fulfilled, is fulfilling, and will fulfill each promise. We also learned that God gives us rule and He expects us to wield the sphere of influence He gives us wisely.
Through a Rule of Life, we can plan our commitments to God in these areas: 1. Our relationship with Him. 2. Our personal life and health 3. Our personal growth and work 4. Our relationships with others. Most of us follow a rule of life plan to some degree in that we have built in routines and rhythms to grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally and become more or remain physically fit. Usually we do not write it down, yet if we have established commitments in these areas, it does show up on our calendars because a commitment is not a commitment unless we have a time set aside to do it.
Writing your commitments first, and then putting them on your calendar helps you to prioritize what is important in your life so that you can plan to intentionally bring glory to God. We are all called to bring Him glory, but while making your personal rule of life, you are thinking through how are you called to bring Him glory and how you are called to do that now in this time of life. Whenever your season changes, then your rule of life changes as well, so this is a working document.
Below are the directions for each area of a Rule of Life. If you choose to engage in writing yours down, it can be done however you choose. Some people create power points and some write short simple bullet points and some add art to theirs. Beyond the directions below are two tools. One is a Rule of Life Time Frames Chart. This will help you see in one view what you planned daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. It not only helps you see that in an overview, but it also helps you see if your plan really captures your priorities and is realistic. We can overcommit. The other tool is a Spiritual Disciplines Log that helps you track your weekly rhythms. This will help you remain accountable to your plan and also see how your rule of life is impacting you positively.
Decide if you will use a journal or a device. The advantage of a device is you can modify your document when your season changes. If you use a device, however, you should keep a printed copy where you will see it regularly.
I. RELATIONSHIP with GOD
a. Title this part of your Rule of Life Relationship with God.
b. Write in your journal or in your device a Bible verse about God’s relationship with us that is meaningful to you.
c. Write a biblical statement about the relationship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit want to have with you. Write it as addressed to yourself. Ex: “The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit love you and work together to recreate you....”
d. Describe the relationship you want to have with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
e. Make a list of commitments you are willing to make to continue to grow in your relationship with God. You may have already made commitments in prayer, Scripture, and worship, etc. Start with those. When you list them, include the day and time/time frame you normally engage in these Godward rhythms. See a few examples below. Note the example commitments are still written as addressing self.
o Pray in AM before rising. Pray informally throughout your day (praise, help, confession) with just you and God and with family/friends and community group when you meet with them. Text prayers to those sharing needs. Pray a nice long time with spouse about your family at least once a week. Pray with your children at dinner and over each child once a week. Pray before bed each day.
o In the Fall/Spring complete your Daniel homework five days a week. In Summer (May-August) study a New Testament book or two.
o Saturday mornings sleep in until you are fully rested. Then enjoy extended time in prayer, Bible, journaling, singing worship until you are full.
f. Now consider if you would like to either increase your time in current Godward rhythms or if you would want to experience a new way of knowing God. See examples below.
o Enjoy an entire day with just you and God one day in January, April, July, October. Fast during this time and reflect on your relationship with Him and with others. Pray and set goals as He guides you.
o Memorize key Scripture that you can use when sharing the gospel with others.
II. PERSONAL LIFE & HEALTH
a. In your notebook or on your device title this 2nd part of your Rule of Life Personal Life & Health.
b. This portion will focus on your sleep, rest & sabbath, physical health/fitness, recreation/hobbies, money/possessions. In this portion consider that, yes, you are called to live “spent” laying your life down daily for God, but you also must spend what God gives you to steward (time/resources, etc.) wisely. God is unlimited; you are not.
c. Choose a Bible verse for this section. A few ideas – Ps 4:8; Eph. 5:15; Ps 90:12; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Ps 23:1-2
d. Write a biblical statement reminding yourself that you steward what God gives you.
e. Make a list of commitments you are willing to make in the areas listed in 3b above. Start with the commitments you have already made and maintain well. Note the commitments are still written as addressing self. See examples:
o Sleep 7-8 hours per night. On Saturday, sleep until fully rested.
o Walk a mile 4-5 times per week in the house or outside. Walk with ____ if possible.
o Keep up with dentist, eye, physical, hair appointments.
o Do something creative each week instead of watching other people’s creativity on social media or television.
f. Now consider where you are lacking a commitment or where you could strengthen a commitment.
o Actually use your vacation hours. Go somewhere beautiful this summer.
o Take the six-week Moneywise course at Grace this year.
III. PERSONAL GROWTH & WORK
a. In your notebook or on your device title this 3rd part of your Rule of Life Personal Growth & Work.
b. This portion will focus on education, personal development, current work responsibilities, & calling/vocation.
c. Choose a Bible verse for this section. A few ideas – Col 3:23; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Cor 15:58; Eph 2:10; Gal 6:9
d. Write a biblical statement reminding yourself that God calls you to learn and work for Him with dependence upon His Spirit.
e. Before you make your list of commitments that would go on a calendar, review these suggestions:
o Take a spiritual gifts test (giftstest.com). Have conversations with those who know you well about how they see your spiritual gifts at work in your life. If you would like to take further steps, Grace has resources for helping you process calling and vocation. Contact kpaulson@gracelaredo.org.
o Your community group leader posted a list of Gospel Essential Knowledge and Skills (GEKS). Review those and determine something new you would like to learn. Share that with your community group and see if anyone is willing to learn that with you this summer (Summer Good Read book & video list will be posted May 2026. This will help you find solid resources for your learning needs.)
o Reading books or watching videos are both great ways to grow in spiritual knowledge and skills. Bridge Ministries in Laredo has a nonprofit bookstore and their staff are always ready to help you find resources in their store and can order them for you as well. Grace Bible Church gives you free access to Right Now Media where you can find all kinds of videos and Bible studies on all kinds of subjects. Go to – gracelaredo.org/rightnowmedia.
f. Make a list of commitments you are willing to make in the areas listed in 3b above. Note the commitments are still written as addressing self. See examples:
o Commit to a community group every semester. Spend time praying each week about your work for God. Ask Him to direct you toward His calling on my life.
o Read a book relating to your field of study in an area you wish to develop at least once a year.
o Read a book/watch a video relating to a needed area of spiritual growth every quarter.
IV. PEOPLE RELATIONSHIPS
a. In your notebook or on your device title this 4th and last part of your Rule of Life People Relationships
b. This portion will focus on family (spouse, kids, parents, siblings, extended family) friends, accountability partner, people whom you serve and witness to, mentor/mentee, community group, affinity friends, neighbors, co-workers.
c. Choose a Bible verse for this section. A few ideas – John 13:34; Phil 2:3; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor 13:4-7
d. Write a biblical statement reminding yourself of your call to love others as Christ has loved you.
e. This section is different because we have so many levels of relationships. Use the list in letter b. Higher priority relationships will need daily/weekly, monthly, and some quarterly, yearly connections. Likely many of us spend most of our day at work (as did Daniel) and so we have a great opportunity to love and be a witness to God. See examples.
o spouse first and every possible day enjoy good conversation, affection, and time doing things together; date night once a month/weekend quarterly; vacation yearly somewhere beautiful
o co-workers: eat lunch with staff 2-3 times a week; coach ______ and talk/pray through goals once a week; initiate conversations and be a listening ear; be playful and encouraging and model love of Christ, vision cast/pray with team every quarter
o mentor two ________ a year (formally); meet every other week
o get together with a friend or couple from any circle once a week or more.
o engage with church family every Sunday; encourage and pray with those in need.