Communal Rule of Life

A Communal Rule of Life: Trust • Listen • Obey

This communal Rule of Life is not a system of control or conformity. It is a shared relational rhythm that helps us walk together in partnership with God and one another.

Christ is our Shepherd. The Holy Spirit leads. We are His Body. As we trust, listen, and obey together, God ministers to each person where they are.

Our Shared Commitment

We commit to a way of life that values responsiveness to God over performance, relationship over religious activity, and formation over information.

This rhythm shapes us into a community marked by Competence, Confidence, Compassion, and Character.

Daily Rhythm We Practice Together

Morning — Trust

Competence & Confidence

We begin each day remembering that God already has a plan. We trust His wisdom more than our own ambition, urgency, or creativity.

  • We anchor ourselves in Scripture to remember what is true.
  • We acknowledge the presence and leadership of the Holy Spirit.
  • We bring our needs, concerns, gratitude, and hopes before God while we are still uncluttered by the noise of the day.

Trust strengthens our competence in walking with God and our confidence in His faithfulness.

Throughout the Day — Listen

Compassion

We practice attentiveness as a community. Listening is not limited to quiet moments; it is a posture we carry into conversations, work, and relationships.

  • We pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s nudges, interruptions, and promptings.
  • We notice the emotional and spiritual needs of those around us.
  • We ask together and individually, “Holy Spirit, what are You doing right now?”

Listening forms compassion, shaping us into a people who respond with presence rather than pressure.

Evening — Obey, Then Rest

Character

We end the day not with self-evaluation, but with rest. Together, we reflect on where we responded to God’s leading and where grace met us.

  • We look for the fruit of obedience—especially in small, unseen moments.
  • We share stories when appropriate, encouraging one another.
  • We journal, pray, or process in ways that help us reflect honestly.
  • We release what was unfinished and receive God’s grace.

Obedience forms character, and rest preserves our life together.

Weekly Rhythm of Shared Reflection

On a regular basis, we make space to reflect together as a community.

  • How are we growing in Competence in walking with God?
  • Where is our Confidence in His leadership increasing?
  • How is Compassion shaping our relationships?
  • What kind of Character is being formed among us?

We celebrate progress, name patterns, and adjust gently—without shame or pressure.

Formation Over Time: Training, Not Control

This communal Rule of Life is training, not control.

Like martial arts, repeated practice embeds the basics until they become instinctive:

  • Trust becomes reflex.
  • Listening becomes sensitivity.
  • Obedience becomes responsiveness.

The repetition isn’t legalism—it’s formation.

As we walk this rhythm together, God forms us into a community marked by maturity, humility, and Spirit-led life.