your faith journey - Anglican Diocese of Liverpool · taking the outer journey we are sent by God to be close to Jesus in the world. In the inner journey we are called by God to pray,

1Called to pray, read and learn. Sent to tell, serve and give.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE

your faith journey

Called to pray, read and learn. Sent to tell, serve and give.


Welcome to the Rule of Life

In the Diocese of Liverpool we have established a Rule of Life that we are encouraging everyone to sign up to. By following this you will be supported on your discipleship journey.

The Rule of Life is based around six words. We say you are Called to Pray, Read and Learn : Sent to Tell, Serve and Give.

To encourage you to follow the Rule we have developed a mobile app which you can access at www.ruleoflife.org.uk Connecting to this app gives you a wealth of resources and ideas to support your discipleship journey as well as receiving encouragement to stay on track.

We have produced this booklet to introduce you to the Rule of Life, In it Bishop Paul explains why we need a Rule whilst exploring each of the six words in more detail. He closes by offering practical suggestions for each word.

We hope this encourages you to follow the Rule by yourself, with friends or in your worshipping community.


Here in Liverpool Diocese we’re asking God for a bigger church to make a bigger difference; more people knowing Jesus, more justice in the world. Over the last couple of years we have been praying and thinking together about how this can best be done.

I have spoken about the inner and outer journey of faith – the life of prayer and study of scripture which forms us inwardly; the life of proclamation and service which forms us outwardly.

To live such a life is to be a disciple – one who learns from Jesus in the power of the Spirit, one who comes through Jesus to the Father, one who becomes an ambassador of the Kingdom of God, speaking of Jesus, serving and being present to those on the edge.

In taking the inner journey we are called by God to be close to Jesus in our hearts. In taking the outer journey we are sent by God to be close to Jesus in the world. In the inner journey we are called by God to pray, read scripture, and learn from one another. In the outer journey we are sent by God to tell our friends about Jesus, serve those in need, and give our lives, time, talents and money, back to the God who has given us everything.


These simple words form our Rule of Life. To live such a life is to be a disciple. I believe that if we ask God for a bigger church to make a bigger difference, and want to see more people knowing Jesus and more justice in the world, then one way that God will answer our prayer is by making more disciples – and including us in that number.

Bishop Paul on the Rule of Life


When we take the inner journey we respond to God’s call, and we are not alone.

In prayer, as Jesus tells us, we enter the secret place to meet the One he called Father, who draws us close, who sees what is done in secret, who fills us with life.

In reading the Bible we meet the inspired writers who point us to God, and we meet those who have interpreted their words over the centuries so that we can read with love and understanding.

In learning the faith we meet the people God has given us in the church, parish, school, fresh expression or chaplaincy; we meet them and learn from them how to live.

When we take the outer journey we respond to God’s sending love, and we are not alone.

In telling of Jesus we meet our friends who do not know him, as one by one we bring them to meet him for themselves, to know his love for them, and to be led by Him to his Father, their Father.

In serving others we meet their needs as we meet the people themselves, connecting with them in the struggle for justice and dignity, doing the many things God gives us to do with and for them to help and love them more.

In giving our lives we take our place among the hundreds of millions of people who bear the name of Christ worldwide, and among the more than sixty thousand people who are actively connected to our diocese.

Each and every Christian community is different. I believe God loves and honours the endlessly creative diversity of people and communities in each and every place.

But as a bishop I give a charge to each person in our diocese. In your own way, and in the way of your community, consider what it would look like to live according to a Rule of Life. Consider what it looks like for you to be called to pray, read and learn, and to be sent to tell, serve and give.

All you need do is say yes. You can take action by signing up at www.ruleoflife.org.uk or you can follow suggestions in this booklet.

Then you will have begun your discipleship journey.

If you want to be involved in the Rule of Life, the simple way to begin is to remember, that every time you say the Lord’s Prayer, you do so as part of a Diocesan family of around 60,000 people. And say to yourself something like: “As a disciple in the Diocese of Liverpool, I pray: Our Father...”.

Why the Lord’s Prayer? Almost every Christian who prays daily will include the words that Jesus gave us. You can find them in the Bible in two places: in Matthew’s gospel at chapter 6, and in Luke’s gospel at chapter 11. The two versions are slightly different, and this reflects the richness of what Jesus gave us and the fact that the prayer can illuminate different things for different people.

People who know this prayer by heart will use slightly different versions too, depending on when they learned it. What version you use doesn’t matter. What matters is that your memory should be comfortable with the words you say, so the meaning can sink deeper day by day.

I’m not asking people to say the Lord’s Prayer an extra time. I simply ask that you remember your membership of the Diocesan family when you pray the Lord’s Prayer as part of the prayers you usually pray. Simply say this lovely profound prayer when you usually do, with the Diocesan family in mind.

Together with all disciples in the Diocese of Liverpool and across the world, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray Our Father...


1: Called to Pray

Augustine of Hippo was a bright young man, and a bit of a wild child. As he studied philosophy, met significant Christian leaders, and became aware of his mother’s prayers for him, he questioned his riotous youth.

Aged 31, in turmoil of heart, he experienced a deep Christian conversion, and eventually became one of the very greatest Christian leaders of any age. He did so because he read. He read what? He read scripture. In his “Confessions” he wrote he heard a child saying “Take up and read”

I think this wonderful image is for all of us. Holy Scripture is a gift for anyone who wishes, as Jesus says, to turn their lives around and become as a little child.

The scriptures tell us that they are inspired by God and are useful (2 Timothy 3:16). Christians differ about the interpretation and meaning of the words of the Bible but this is a gift from God, as we learn together

Some of you will have regular patterns of Bible reading, perhaps at the offices of the Church, or through a regular quiet time. If so as you begin to read, say “As a disciple in the Diocese of Liverpool, I am open to God’s inspired word”.

If you don’t have a regular pattern of Bible reading, don’t worry. There are lots to choose from. It’s not necessarily helpful to open the Bible at the beginning and read to the end.

Why not begin with one of the gospels? St Mark’s is the shortest, and in many ways the most direct. Read a short passage each day. But look out - reading this book can be dynamite.

We’re called to pray, read and learn. As disciples in the Diocese of Liverpool, we are open to God’s inspired word. So, in the simple and curious spirit of a child, take, read - and meet the living God in the living Word.

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2. Called to Read



3. Called to Learn

Learning, begins in listening, but it doesn’t end there. Significant teaching - then question it, engage in dialogue, put your point of view, bring your own insights, have your questions answered and ask new ones. Have a conversation.

The Gospels are full of dialogue. The disciples share their own thoughts and reflections in response to the words of Jesus, and Jesus gives them time and space to share. “Lord, how many times…?” “Never, Lord!”, “Lord, tell my brother…” - these and many others become openings for Jesus to teach in conversation, and his followers to learn by listening, speaking and listening again.

Research for the National Church made it clear that if a church provided opportunities for this listening-speaking-listening rhythm then people grew in faith. Churches that grew in numbers were almost always providing these opportunities.

Many of our parish churches have a network of small groups, set up for discussion bible study or friendship. For others the regular organisations of the Church - the Mothers’ Union branch - provides the same. In schools, dialogue and conversation is central to the teaching process. In chaplaincies, the opportunity to ask questions and to hear opinions is greatly valued. All these moments are to be treasured and developed, as we become a community of learning.

Listen-speak-listen. If you are already doing this, simply continue, knowing that tens of thousands of others across our Diocese are doing the same in all their different ways. If you’re not, why not begin? Talk with your friends and with the lay and ordained leaders of your community about the best way to start.

And when you meet your friends to learn begin your meeting by saying quietly in your heart or aloud: “As disciples together in the Diocese of Liverpool and around the world, we learn from our God who loves us and who gives us one another…”

As a student, as I was standing at the bus stop with my friend Tony, we had a ringside view of a traffic accident - nothing serious. We gave our names to the drivers, and later received witness-statement forms to complete. Afterwards, we compared notes and found our accounts differed substantially. Neither of us thought this a problem. We were witnesses.

Being a witness is not stressful. All you do is say what you’ve seen and heard, as it seems to you. If others have a different perspective, so be it. In the Bible the experience is the same. 1 John begins: “We announce to you what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have seen and our hands handled, about the word of life.”

If you choose to be a disciple then you are sent by God to be a witness. More people will know Jesus, as you witness to him. They don’t need to be impressed or persuaded. It is the Holy Spirit who impresses and persuades people; who convicts of sin and assures forgiveness; who converts people to Christ.

Some worry that they’d better have all the answers ready before they dare admit to being a Christian. Good luck with that. The simplest questions can’t be answered snappily and glibly. If a six-year-old asks “Why did my granny have to die?” or a sixty-year-old asks “Why are people suffering if God is good?” then the mystery of existence opens up. The response can be as simple as “I don’t know. Life’s a mystery to me too. But what I do know is that God is real, and God’s love makes a difference to me”. Be ready with an explanation. Be sent to tell, be honest, and bring your friend to meet God and God’s people.

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4. Sent to tell



5. Sent to serve

In the porch at Bishop’s Lodge is a tile, with words from Adrienne von Speyr reading “Holiness in the Church is always service”. I wanted these to greet visitors and nudge me each time I came home myself.

“Holiness in the Church is always service”. The inner and outer journey are often indistinguishable. We are called and sent to serve the world God loves, and serve those who are on the edge of things. I hope each disciple will have a clear sense of what they do, and can do, to act as servants.

Jesus knew himself as God’s beloved child, and the love of his Father as an infinite reality. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’” he said to his disciples, “and you speak correctly, because I am. If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do.” He went on, “I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.”(John 13:13-17)

I ask each disciple to “do ten things” in this coming year as acts of service. Ten things? What things? That depends on where God has put you but here are some examples. You may commit to help a housebound neighbour, telephone a lonely friend, join a political party and advocate for the kingdom’s values, volunteer at your local foodbank or debt advice centre. You will know what you can do, and what the world needs from you.

Do ten things. There will be no penalty if you do eleven! But since holiness in the Church is always service, as disciples in the Diocese of Liverpool our commitment to draw close to the Lord Jesus must issue in action; so do ten things, as you are sent to serve.

In his book “Arabian Sands”, an account of his travels among the Bedu (Bedouin) nomadic people of what is now Saudi Arabia, Wilfrid Thesiger tells this story:

Two days later an old man came into our camp. He was limping, and even by Bedu standards he looked poor… [My companions] pressed forward to greet him: “Long life to you, uncle. Welcome – welcome a hundred times.”

I wondered at the warmth of their greetings. The old man lowered himself upon the rug they had spread for him… while they hurried to blow up the fire and to make coffee. I thought,

“He looks a proper old beggar. I bet he asks for something”.

Bin Kabina said to me: “He is of the tribe of the Bait Imani, and famous”. I asked, “What for?” and he answered, “His generosity”. I said, “I should not have thought he owned anything to be generous with”, and bin Kabina said, “He hasn’t now. He hasn’t got a single camel”.

I asked: “What happened to his camels? Did raiders take them, or did they die of disease?” and bin Kabina answered, “No. His generosity ruined him. No one ever came to his tents but he killed a camel to feed them. By God, he is generous!” I could hear the envy in his voice.

The capacity to give without reserve is not common. How much more difficult is it to be a person of generosity in a culture where giving is not valued. A generous lifestyle is profoundly counter-cultural and gospel-centred, in the spirit of Jesus.

It is important not to avoid the reality of the call to be generous, nor the call to establish a culture in the Church where generosity is valued. We are sent to give. It does us good to give since it detaches us from an addiction to “our” time or talents or money. And it does the world good if we give these things, in the service of the common good.

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6. Sent to give



Having looked briefly at each of the six dimensions of our Rule of Life, Bishop Paul makes some practical suggestions for you to consider and perhaps to include in your daily and weekly routine. As with everything in the Rule of Life, let me say clearly

that these suggestions are not a whole new initiative for you to pile on top of what you’re already doing. Instead, here are six simple suggestions for now which will help you take your place with the 60,000 other disciples in our Diocese as a practical follower of Jesus.

1 Called to Pray.Say the Lord’s Prayer each day. If you already pray the Lord’s Prayer as part of your daily pattern, this is great.

Before you pray it, simply say something like this in your heart: “Together with all disciples in the Diocese of Liverpool and across the world, as our Saviour has taught us, so we pray…”

2 Called to Read.Read a short passage from the Bible each day. Some will want to use the daily readings set by the church. There are many other reading plans which you can use

Before you start reading, simply say something like this in your heart: “Together with all disciples in the Diocese of Liverpool and across the world, I open my heart to God’s inspired Word.”

3 Called to Learn.Commit yourself to finding other people in your church, school, fresh expression or chaplaincy who want to learn together. Learning happens when we meet others, whether in person, or in the pages of a book, or online. If you’re already in a house-group, study group or similar, simply

continue. If not, talk to your church leaders about the right way to join a group.

Before you study, simply say something like this in your heart: “Together with all disciples in the Diocese of Liverpool and across the world, we commit ourselves to learn from Jesus though His Church.”

Taking practical steps

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4 Sent to Tell.As a disciple you will want to see more people knowing Jesus.

Commit yourself to bringing one friend to church each year, and to speaking to them about your faith as and when the moment comes.

Pray that you will know the right moment to invite that person.

As you pray about who to bring, simply say something like this in your heart: “Together with all disciples in the Diocese of Liverpool and across the world, I commit myself to sharing my faith with another person.”

5 Sent to Serve.As a disciple you will want to see more justice in the world. Commit

yourself to doing ten things each year that will contribute to the common good. These may include volunteering for a charity, visiting

a neighbour who is unwell or housebound, campaigning on behalf of people on the edge of things, and many others. Pray that you will know the right things to do.

As you pray about what to do for justice, simply say something like this in your heart: “Together with all disciples in the Diocese of Liverpool and across the world, I commit myself to work so that God’s Kingdom may come closer.”

6 Sent to Give.As a disciple you will want to give your time, your talents and your

material resources so that God’s work may go forward. Commit yourself to a generous lifestyle that will help and bless others.

As you pray about how to live the generous life, simply say something like this in your heart: “Together with all disciples in the Diocese of Liverpool and across the world, I will seek the right way to give back to God what God has given me.” None of this is rocket science. But if we make these simple beginnings we will be sharing in God’s work in our Diocese and beyond. May God bless you as you take these simple steps.


A bigger church to make a bigger difference

For many years we have been working to achieve growth in our diocese. We have used different ways to express this but the aim and direction of travel has remained the same – consistent with the whole of the Church of England. When Bishop Paul was installed he adopted our growth agenda refreshing it by saying

‘we are asking God for a bigger church so we can make a bigger difference; more people knowing Jesus more justice in the world’

We think we will achieve this mission if we have to help us do this we are calling every worshipping Christian in our diocese to: 1 Sign up to the Bishop of Liverpool’s #RuleOfLife which will encourage and support us to Pray, Read, Learn, Tell, Serve, Give, www.RuleOfLife.org.uk

2 #BringOneFriend into the regular worshipping and serving life of the church www.liverpool.anglican.org/BringOneFriend

3 Do 10 acts of service or find 10 new points of connection beyond the walls of the church #DoTenThings www.liverpool.anglican.org/DoTenThings

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#BringOneFriend

#RuleOfLife

#DoTenThings


For updated information, resources, advice and encouragement sign up at: ruleoflife.org.uk

Supporting you on the Rule of Life

Documents

your faith journey - Anglican Diocese of Liverpool · taking the outer journey we are sent by God to be close to Jesus in the world. In the inner journey we are called by God to pray,