27: Create New Rhythms for Living

Key Passage

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

Matthew 11:29, MSG

The above Bible verse, taken from Eugene Peterson’s “The Message,” depicts how Jesus invited His disciples into new rhythms of healthy and abundant living.

From the 20 Practices of Disciplemakers:

Great leaders and high-performance people will all tell you that they have created patterns of behavior in their lives that lead them toward success. When we disciple people, we should help them move toward building new, Godly rhythms in their lives.

Right now, I have built into my life a rhythm of praying three times a day. If I am in a meeting at midday and my alarm goes off as a reminder, I like to ask those I am with if they will pray with me. I want to model how prayer invades our lives and turns our attention to the Lord.

At times, I have agreed to read three chapters of Scripture per day together with those I am discipling and meet to discuss these passages. Once, when a guy I was walking with complained he had no time to read the Word, I set my alarm for 5 am and woke him every morning for weeks until he created a rhythm of waking early with the Lord. Another way is to start every meeting with thankfulness. Ask each person what one thing they are thankful for. This turns our hearts to the posture of praise.

Godly rhythms create a culture in those you are discipling and set up new, life-giving behaviours that lead them to maturity in Christ. 

What spiritual rhythms are you building?