Feast: Week of November 21
Gather some close friends or family together for a feast to celebrate the goodness of God.
What?
Gather some close friends or family together for a feast to celebrate the goodness of God.
Why?
Nehemiah encouraged the people of Israel that “the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Similarly, Paul charged the church at Philippi to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). They direct us to live with joy because, together as God’s redeemed people, we have the ability to delight in the fellowship of the most glorious, beautiful Being in the universe. But in a world of anxiety and insecurity, guilt and shame, licentiousness and legalism, we must purposefully practice the joy of the Lord in community with other believers. Holding a feast is one avenue towards cultivating that joy.
How?
First, we have to distinguish a feast from a party. For a party, the hosts often fret about pulling together all the preparations and entertaining their guests. And for some, partying simply means over indulging (usually with alcohol). A feast, on the other hand, is about cultivating an anxiety-free, safe, and hospitable environment in which some celebration, some thanksgiving, and some simple enjoyment can take place to the glory of God.
Second, Paul’s words in Philippians 4:4-8 can guide our feasting:
Be reasonable; don’t go crazy (v. 5).
Actively reduce stressors and anxiety inducers (v. 6a). Share the load with meal preparation, don’t worry about dieting, give the kids a little more freedom in what they eat, etc.
Invite the peace of God with prayer and thanksgiving (vv. 6b-7). That doesn’t mean you need to prepare a devotional, but at least draw attention to the fact of God’s goodness evident among you.
Enjoy what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or worthy of praise (v. 8) Let these things guide your conversation more than the general cares of life. Focus on future dreams, hobbies, exciting life events, or any good gift of God
In his book Recapturing the Wonder, Mike Cosper draws up eight “ground rules” for feasting. (1) Turn off your phones. (2) Do not count calories, carbs, or “any other nonsense.” (3) Make some buttered noodles (or something simple) for the kids. (4) Conversations should be driven by joy. (5) Plan for abundance. (6) Don’t worry about place settings, tidying up just right, or impressing. (7) Call attention to the feast as a gift from God. (8) Give yourself grace because this is a practice.
Expand Your Knowledge: Week of October 10
Enlarge your wonder at the wisdom of God by expanding your knowledge of his world in one particular subject.
What?
Enlarge your wonder at the wisdom of God by expanding your knowledge of his world in one particular subject.
Why?
Humans struggle with the sin of arrival. We too often believe that we have arrived — that all the mysteries of creation have been revealed, that we know all there is to know. In mastering a few subjects or skills, we act as masters of the universe. In reality, the universe overflows with complexity and beauty beyond what our tiny minds can apprehend, and the Creator, who spoke it all into being, must surely surpass his creation in grandeur. So when we set our minds to explore some aspect of God’s world that lies outside our current understanding and expertise, we remind ourselves not only of our limited capacities but also of his infinite wisdom in devising such an incredibly vast world.
How?
This practice is fairly simple: Pick a subject — as broad as “music” or as specific as “the impact of different materials in making acoustic guitars.” Designate some time to learn. Find a credible source (an article, a book, a video). Dig in. Reflect on the wisdom and greatness of God.
You may find this beneficial to make this a communal practice. Gather a group of friends to learn about something, and discuss your insights together. Or do a sort of knowledge exchange with a friend who has a different area of expertise. This would not only promote accountability but also help us keep the practice God-centered as we reflect together on the wisdom of God evident in our newly discovered subject.
One Hour of Conversation: Week of September 26
Meet with a friend this week for at least an hour for an intentional conversation.
What?
Meet with a friend this week for at least an hour for an intentional conversation.
Why?
We were made for each other, and we can’t become lovers of God and neighbor without intimate relationships where vulnerability is sustained across time. In habitual, face-to-face conversation with each other, we learn to share our thoughts, feelings, joys and struggles and to listen to the thoughts, feelings, joys, and struggles of others. We know and become known and, in our vulnerability, are loved anyways. The Holy Spirit works through intentional conversations to grow us more fully into the image of God.
(The Common Rule, adapted)
How?
Invite a close friend who also aspires to love Jesus more to join you in this practice. Intentional conversations grow in intimacy and effectiveness over time, so consider meeting not just this week but the following weeks or every other week. Setting a consistent time and place will help.
If this is to be more than a time to hang out but to build a Proverbs 27:17 friendship (“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another”), begin to ask deeper questions. Ask specific questions about one another’s work life, civic life, home life, and spiritual life that could help you better understand your friend and also encourage or challenge them.
Work Life: How can you better glorify God in your work? What are your relationships with your coworkers like?
Civic Life: How can you be an engaged citizen in your city or county? What shapes your political leanings? Are those guided by Scripture?
Home and Relational Life: What are your relationships like with those inside your home? What are they like with those outside?
Spiritual Life: What has recently inspired you to love God more? What temptations, challenges, or distractions have gotten in the way?
Meditate on God: Week of August 22
Write down one true thing about God every day and meditate on this attribute or work of God.
What?
Write down one true thing about God every day and meditate on this attribute or work of God.
Why?
Often without our being aware, images and songs, symbols and speeches, and the habits and patterns of our life dance before our imagination, shaping us to place ourselves at the center of our universe, the power that can create our own reality, that can shape our own destiny. But we make poor gods. And so we must fill our imagination with visions of the true God revealed in the pages of Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ. By setting our minds on him, we begin to counter the self-centeredness of our culture and to turn our focus — and ultimately our trust and hopes — to him.
How?
The most effective way to do this (so that we do not simply write down what we think is true about God but what is actually true about him) is to pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal himself to you through the Word. Then, as you read Scripture, be sensitive to what the Lord says about himself. Does the passage of Scripture you choose to read state an explicit attribute of God? If not, ask questions like: What kind of promises does he make or fulfill? What does he desire for his people? How does he respond to the faithful? The unfaithful? Are there particular images or metaphors used to describe him?
(You can also consider this list of characteristics of God with brief definitions and corresponding Scriptures.)
As the Lord reveals himself in his Word, allow your imagination to marinade in that particular attribute or work. There isn’t one specific way to do this, but here are a few things to consider:
Envision God with that attribute. Really picture him as loving or almighty or eternal.
Consider other Scriptures that speak of that attribute. Does anything else that you have heard or read about that aspect of God come to mind?
Ask yourself what it really means that God is X. Think through the implications. Ask, “If God is X, then…”
Think about how that attribute is expressed throughout Scripture. How has it been expressed in your life?
What affections fill you as you ponder upon God? Why is that? Sit on these things.
Think about the things you tend to make god. How do they stack up?
If we are called to godliness, how does your life compare?
How would your life change if you really believed that God was truly merciful, just, or all-wise?
You might make a resolution to do something in particular to bring your life into line with the truth you are meditating upon.
Pray a prayer of praise or thankfulness, or confess the ways in which you neglect or turn from God.
If you find that your mind wanders, do not worry about it. Simply acknowledge that your mind has wandered then turn back to filling your mind with truth about God.
One Act of Service: Week of July 25
Commit to serving a person or group, preferably outside of your household, at least once this week.
What?
Commit to serving a person or group, preferably outside of your household, at least once this week.
Why?
Before Jesus gave his life, he, the Son of God, stooped to wash the dirty feet of his disciples. While our culture might occasionally celebrate some displays of service, by and large we encourage people to serve or please or express themselves, to fight to be on top, to join the “in” crowd. Life centers on our self in competition with every other self. By making concerted efforts to serve others regularly, we resist this self-centered way of living and learn to walk in the humble, feet-washing way of Jesus.
How?
Do not plan that your act of service should be recognized (that’s serving for selfish reasons) or that you should in some way be paid back (that’s serving to manipulate) or that it will necessarily make you feel good about yourself in the moment (again, selfish reasons). Do pray fervently that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes to see a need, for whomever that might be, and meet that need, whatever that might look like.
Richard Foster recognizes at least nine different kinds of service (Celebration of Discipline, 134-140). Here are a few. Consider choosing one that goes beyond your general comfort level:
Service of small things: Assisting someone in a seemingly simple manner; active helpfulness
Service of reputation guarding: Serving another by not contributing to and shutting down gossip or slander
Service of common courtesy: Showing someone’s value by treating them kindly and respectfully, especially those who are more often neglected
Service of hospitality: Opening up your home and life to others
Service of bearing another’s burden: Praying for and walking alongside another in distress; active empathy
Service of sharing words of life: Encouraging and building up others; sharing the Word of Life
Commit with another person to practice this discipline and hold each other accountable.
One Hour of Conversation: Week of June 20
Meet with a friend this week for at least an hour for an intentional conversation.
What?
Meet with a friend this week for at least an hour for an intentional conversation.
Why?
We were made for each other, and we can’t become lovers of God and neighbor without intimate relationships where vulnerability is sustained across time. In habitual, face-to-face conversation with each other, we learn to share our thoughts, feelings, joys and struggles and to listen to the thoughts, feelings, joys, and struggles of others. We know and become known and, in our vulnerability, are loved anyways. The Holy Spirit works through intentional conversations to grow us more fully into the image of God.
(The Common Rule, adapted)
How?
Invite a close friend who also aspires to love Jesus more to join you in this practice. Intentional conversations grow in intimacy and effectiveness over time, so consider meeting not just this week but the following weeks or every other week. Setting a consistent time and place will help.
If this is to be more than a time to hang out but to build a Proverbs 27:17 friendship (“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another”), begin to ask deeper questions. Ask specific questions about one another’s work life, civic life, home life, and spiritual life that could help you better understand your friend and also encourage or challenge them.
Work Life: How can you better glorify God in your work? What are your relationships with your coworkers like?
Civic Life: How can you be an engaged citizen in your city or county? What shapes your political leanings? Are those guided by Scripture?
Home and Relational Life: What are your relationships like with those inside your home? What are they like with those outside?
Spiritual Life: What has recently inspired you to love God more? What temptations, challenges, or distractions have gotten in the way?
Hospitality: Week of May 2
Open up your home to one or more people who are outside your normal friend group.
What?
Open up your home to one or more people who are outside your normal friend group.
Why?
We are creatures; God is the Creator. We are sinners; God is holy. Despite these differences, God took on our nature, died for our sins, and welcomed us into his family. He did not ignore us, look down on us with contempt, or entirely exclude us from his presence forever. Rather, he displayed divine hospitality, making room for and befriending strangers and sinners. He now invites us to do the same, extending his welcoming love to others. As we practice opening our doors to others, we learn to resist our tendency towards both self-centeredness and tribalism (the us-versus-them mentality) because it becomes part of our regular rhythm of life to engage our world in love, transforming strangers and outcasts into friends through the grace of Christ working itself out in every interaction.
How?
We must recognize, firstly, that practicing hospitality is not the same as entertaining guests. Jen Wilkin breaks down the differences concisely:
Entertaining is always thinking about the next course. Hospitality burns the rolls because it was listening to a story.
Entertaining obsesses over what went wrong. Hospitality savors what was shared.
Entertaining, exhausted, says “It was nothing, really!” Hospitality thinks it was nothing. Really.
Entertaining seeks to impress. Hospitality seeks to bless.
That last point is essential. Hospitality is not about creating the “perfect” evening with a spotless house and culinary masterpiece. It’s about making your home feel like home to others, especially those who look and think and act differently.
This will come naturally to some and be more of a struggle for others, but all of us can prayerfully take steps towards cultivating a heart of hospitality.
Start with prayer. Pray that the Lord would give you a generous, hospitable heart that desires to welcome the stranger, and pray that he would direct you to specific “others” whom you can befriend and love.
List out ways in which people might differ from you (e.g., age, gender, nationality, political affiliation, life stage, health choices, tastes/likes, neighborhood, etc.). Is the Lord leading you to reach out to someone who is different or “other” in one of the ways you listed?
Prayerfully find a specific person or persons who is “other,” and invite them into your home.
Open up your home and make them feel not as a guest but as a friend.
Expand Your Knowledge: Week of April 25
Enlarge your wonder at the wisdom of God by expanding your knowledge of his world in one particular subject.
What?
Enlarge your wonder at the wisdom of God by expanding your knowledge of his world in one particular subject.
Why?
Humans struggle with the sin of arrival. We too often believe that we have arrived — that all the mysteries of creation have been revealed, that we know all there is to know. In mastering a few subjects or skills, we act as masters of the universe. In reality, the universe overflows with complexity and beauty beyond what our tiny minds can apprehend, and the Creator, who spoke it all into being, must surely surpass his creation in grandeur. So when we set our minds to explore some aspect of God’s world that lies outside our current understanding and expertise, we remind ourselves not only of our limited capacities but also of his infinite wisdom in devising such an incredibly vast world.
How?
This practice is fairly simple: Pick a subject — as broad as “music” or as specific as “the impact of different materials in making acoustic guitars.” Designate some time to learn. Find a credible source (an article, a book, a video). Dig in. Reflect on the wisdom and greatness of God.
You may find this beneficial to make this a communal practice. Gather a group of friends to learn about something, and discuss your insights together. Or do a sort of knowledge exchange with a friend who has a different area of expertise. This would not only promote accountability but also help us keep the practice God-centered as we reflect together on the wisdom of God evident in our newly discovered subject.
Feast: Week of April 11
Gather some close friends or family together for a feast to celebrate the goodness of God.
What?
Gather some close friends or family together for a feast to celebrate the goodness of God.
Why?
Nehemiah encouraged the people of Israel that “the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Similarly, Paul charged the church at Philippi to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). They direct us to live with joy because, together as God’s redeemed people, we have the ability to delight in the fellowship of the most glorious, beautiful Being in the universe. But in a world of anxiety and insecurity, guilt and shame, licentiousness and legalism, we must purposefully practice the joy of the Lord in community with other believers. Holding a feast is one avenue towards cultivating that joy.
How?
First, we have to distinguish a feast from a party. For a party, the hosts often fret about pulling together all the preparations and entertaining their guests. And for some, partying simply means over indulging (usually with alcohol). A feast, on the other hand, is about cultivating an anxiety-free, safe, and hospitable environment in which some celebration, some thanksgiving, and some simple enjoyment can take place to the glory of God.
Second, Paul’s words in Philippians 4:4-8 can guide our feasting:
Be reasonable; don’t go crazy (v. 5).
Actively reduce stressors and anxiety inducers (v. 6a). Share the load with meal preparation, don’t worry about dieting, give the kids a little more freedom in what they eat, etc.
Invite the peace of God with prayer and thanksgiving (vv. 6b-7). That doesn’t mean you need to prepare a devotional, but at least draw attention to the fact of God’s goodness evident among you.
Enjoy what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or worthy of praise (v. 8) Let these things guide your conversation more than the general cares of life. Focus on future dreams, hobbies, exciting life events, or any good gift of God
In his book Recapturing the Wonder, Mike Cosper draws up eight “ground rules” for feasting. (1) Turn off your phones. (2) Do not count calories, carbs, or “any other nonsense.” (3) Make some buttered noodles (or something simple) for the kids. (4) Conversations should be driven by joy. (5) Plan for abundance. (6) Don’t worry about place settings, tidying up just right, or impressing. (7) Call attention to the feast as a gift from God. (8) Give yourself grace because this is a practice.
Time of Silence: Week of Mar 14
Spend 15-30 minutes each day in silent reflection away from distractions.
What?
Spend 15-30 minutes each day in silent reflection away from distractions.
Why?
We live in a loud age. White noise envelopes us from the house to the car to work to the store and everywhere in between. All of the noise demands our attention, distracting us from the inner workings of our hearts and minds and, more importantly, from the voice of God, who often speaks with “the sound of a low whisper (1 Kings 19:12). Intentional moments of silence allow us the opportunity to hone in on that voice, to pay special attention to his words rather than the competing calls for our hearts.
How?
Decide on an appropriate time of day. Let any necessary individuals know that you will be unavailable for a short time. Turn off or silence phones, computers, TVs, music players, etc. You might find it helpful to find a place of solitude, whether in your home, in a closed office, or at a park.
In that time, silence your own voice, and ask the Spirit to speak. Or, meditate on a passage or verse of Scripture or on an attribute of God. When your mind begins to wander, do not be discouraged. Acknowledge that your attention has strayed and refocus on listening or meditating.
Commit with another person to practice this discipline and hold each other accountable.
Act of Service: Week of Jan 31
Commit to serving a person or group, preferably outside of your household, at least once this week.
What?
Commit to serving a person or group, preferably outside of your household, at least once this week.
Why?
Before Jesus gave his life, he, the Son of God, stooped to wash the dirty feet of his disciples. While our culture might occasionally celebrate some displays of service, by and large we encourage people to serve or please or express themselves, to fight to be on top, to join the “in” crowd. Life centers on our self in competition with every other self. By making concerted efforts to serve others regularly, we resist this self-centered way of living and learn to walk in the humble, feet-washing way of Jesus.
How?
Do not plan that your act of service should be recognized (that’s serving for selfish reasons) or that you should in some way be paid back (that’s serving to manipulate) or that it will necessarily make you feel good about yourself in the moment (again, selfish reasons). Do pray fervently that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes to see a need, for whomever that might be, and meet that need, whatever that might look like.
Richard Foster recognizes at least nine different kinds of service (Celebration of Discipline, 134-140). Here are a few. Consider choosing one that goes beyond your general comfort level:
Service of small things: Assisting someone in a seemingly simple manner; active helpfulness
Service of reputation guarding: Serving another by not contributing to and shutting down gossip or slander
Service of common courtesy: Showing someone’s value by treating them kindly and respectfully, especially those who are more often neglected
Service of hospitality: Opening up your home and life to others
Service of bearing another’s burden: Praying for and walking alongside another in distress; active empathy
Service of sharing words of life: Encouraging and building up others; sharing the Word of Life
Commit with another person to practice this discipline and hold each other accountable.
Share the Gospel: Week of January 24
Intentionally share the good news of Jesus Christ with one person this week.
What?
Intentionally share the good news of Jesus Christ with one person this week.
Why?
God is forgiving sin and healing the world of sin’s corrupting influence through his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the good news that every person who has placed their confidence in him has experienced personally. While we ought to be ready to make a defense for the hope we have in him at any time (1 Peter 3:15), following Jesus’ command to make disciples (Matt 28:19) requires that we actively, intentionally share the gospel as well. Loving our neighbor includes caring for their physical needs but extends beyond this to care for their eternal spiritual need for God.
Hope: Light a Candle (Week of Nov 29)
Light a candle every day and pray: “May we hope in the true light, which has come and is coming again, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
What?
Light a candle every day and pray: “May we hope in the true light, which has come and is coming again, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Why?
Physical darkness can be suffocating, crushing. Emotional or spiritual darkness even more so. But the faintest glimmer of light, as dim as it may be, shines like a beacon to the burdened soul, calling them onward in hope. And there is no truer light, no firmer hope than the light of the world, Jesus Christ. He promises that whoever follows him “will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Indeed, one day the whole world will bask in his glorious light (Revelation 21:23). In lighting a candle and repeating these words, we visibly remind ourselves of the hope we have in him who overcomes the darkness (John 1:5).
How?
The logistics are simple enough: Decide on a time in which the whole household can participate, take any candle, light it, say the words. But the point is not simply in lighting the candle and repeating some phrases, as if these produce hope by some kind of magic. They don’t. The point is to direct our hearts towards the light of Christ and enlarge our hope in him. What does that mean for this practice?
It means that your attitude and intention matter. Perhaps prepare your heart with prayer beforehand or follow the practice with a prayer. Or, take a moment of silence to reflect on the meaning of Christ as our light and hope. You could also pair this practice with a reading from Scripture. Build out this practice in any way that helps you to focus your hope on Jesus.
For those who want to pair this practice with Scripture reading, consider these texts:
Psalm 18:25-30; 27:1-14; 37:1-7; 56:8-13
Isaiah 9:2-7; 42:16-17; 60:18-22
John 1:1-18; 8:12; 12:27-36
Romans 5:1-2
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Ephesians 2:11-22
Titus 2:11-14
1 Peter 1:3-5
Revelation 21:22-27; 22:5
(You might also consider lighting the candles of an Advent wreath throughout this season.)