Our Rule of Life
The people of Clarksburg Church practice loving their neighbors on Earth as it is in Heaven: by demonstrating and announcing that Heaven has come to Earth. This might sound lofty, but a few habits are incorporated into everyday life to live out this mission: Bless, Eat, Listen, Learn and be Sent.
Bless
Jesus generously blessed others in so many ways: food, acceptance, healing, resources, time, and ultimately his life. Clarksburg is called to live a life that reflects Jesus’ self-giving nature to bless others.
To bless someone is to know what a blessing is to them. For some it is sending a card, making a phone call, or bringing coffee. For others it is delivering a meal, taking their kids for an hour, or raking their leaves.
Action: Bless three people this week, one of whom is a part of the church and one of whom is not.
Eat
During his time on earth, one of the biggest criticisms of Jesus was that he hung out with and ate with the “wrong crowd.” Jesus was constantly inviting people into his life. He extended hospitality, inclusivity, generosity, and grace regardless of religion, race, class, gender, culture, nationality, or sexual nature.
We are called to walk across cultural lines and barriers to engage in the lives of all people.
We might be busy, but everyone has to eat! When you share a meal with someone, you are in an intimate space with them— there is room for a deeper conversation and room for a relationship.
Action: Eat with three people this week, at least one of whom is not a part of the church.
Listen
Jesus regularly talked with and listened to his Heavenly Father. In regular rhythms, we see Jesus pull away from the important work he was called to, to be refilled and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Listening is active. Regularly set aside designated time and eliminate distractions to let God in and follow God’s promptings.
Action: Spend at least one period of the week listening for the Spirit’s voice.
Learn
Jesus had a ragtag group hanging around him all the time, whom he taught them no matter how many times they didn’t quite get it or messed up. And then Jesus told them to teach and mentor others.
Like the disciples, we are called to “learn” Jesus first and foremost, to pattern our lives after his Incarnation, and then teach others.
Learning to be like Jesus requires we spend time in all of Scripture.
Action: Spend at least one period of the week learning the example of Christ by reading scripture and reflection it on your life.
Sent
Although Jesus was the Most High God, Jesus came to serve the world. He became a servant who proclaimed and demonstrated that this new Kingdom and the reign of God was among us. We are invited to do the same.
Seeing where God is at work in the places around us requires reflection. Reflection requires intentionality. This can look like journaling, a conversation, or meditation. As you begin to reflect on where God is at work in your life, you can begin to name His work as it happens and more fully participate in God’s actions.
Action: Record where you saw the work of God in your daily life or where you proclaimed and demonstrated to others the universal reign and Kingdom of God.
More Information
BELLS: (Bless Eat Listen Learn Sent) comes from the author, Michael Frost. If you would like to learn more or dig more deeply into BELLS, we encourage you to read his book, Surprise the World. It is an easy read, very digestible, practical, and affordable. It is currently available on Amazon.
To learn more about how we live BELLS at Clarksburg Church, watch the “Surprise the World” sermon series that focuses on each of the pillars of our Rule of Life.