Our vision as a church has and always will be “On earth as it is in Heaven.” The Garden Rule of Life is a simple path for radical discipleship that allows this vision to become reality. This is not a magic bullet for spiritual growth, it’s not an attempt at religious legalism, and the concepts will not be unfamiliar for those within the Garden community.  This is simply a way of organizing the basic parts of discipleship with intention and clarity.

Course Overview

  • 1

    Introduction

    • An Invitation to Formation and Discipleship

    • Rule of Life (Video Introduction)

    • Overview of the Garden Rule of Life

    • Response

    • How to Engage Each Session

    • Begin Where You Are

    • Tips Before You Begin

    • A Note
  • 2

    Prayer

    • Prayer

    • A Brief Introduction to Prayer

    • Response

    • Prayer: A Conversational Friendship with God

    • Response

    • Invitations to Prayer Practice

    • Additional Resources from 24-7 Prayer International

    • Submit Questions for Q&A with Garden Staff
  • 3

    Scripture

    • Scripture

    • Why we read Scripture?

    • Response

    • Scripture: Living in God's Story; Learning to Hear God's Voice

    • Response 2

    • Practices for Engaging Scripture

    • Practices the “Short Read” (Reflective, Slow, Meditative)

    • Practices for the "Long Read" of Scripture (Story and Study)

    • Invitation to The Whole Sweep of Scripture (New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright)

    • Submit Questions for Q&A with Garden Staff
  • 4

    Worship

    • Worship

    • A Brief Introduction to Worship

    • Response

    • Rule of Life: Worship

    • Response

    • Personal Practices for Worship

    • Submit Questions for Q&A with Garden Staff
  • 5

    Q&R on Life With God (Prayer, Scripture and Worship)

    • Q&R Video

    • Response

    • Questions for the next Q&R
  • 6

    Community

    • Community

    • Introduction to Community

    • Response

    • Rule of Life: Community

    • Response

    • Practices for Community

    • Prayer Practices For Groups (From: 24-7 Prayer International)

    • Submit Questions for Q&A with Garden Staff
  • 7

    Service

    • Service

    • A Brief Introduction to Service

    • Rule of Life: Service (Video)

    • Response

    • Submit Questions for Q&A with Garden Staff
  • 8

    Generosity

    • Generosity

    • A Brief Introduction to Generosity

    • Response

    • Rule of Life: Generosity (Video)

    • Response

    • Simple Practices for Growing In Generosity
  • 9

    An Invitation to Lent

    • Garden Church Lenten Invitation (2021)

    • Lent PDF

    • Lent Communication Preferences
  • 10

    Stewardship

    • Stewardship

    • Brief Introduction to Stewardship

    • Luke 16: 10-13

    • Stewardship in "The Upside Down Kingdom"

    • Response 1

    • Rule of Life: Stewardship

    • Response 2

    • Practices for Stewarding Your Money

    • Practices for Stewarding Your Body

    • On Simplicity

    • Practices for Simplicity
  • 11

    Vocation

    • Vocation

    • Brief Introduction to Vocation

    • Response

    • Rule of Life: Vocation

    • Response
  • 12

    Sabbath

    • Sabbath

    • A Brief Introduction to Sabbath

    • Response

    • Rule of Life: Sabbath

    • Response

    • Practices for Keeping the Sabbath
  • 13

    Mind

    • Mind

    • A Brief Introduction

    • Romans 8: 8-11

    • Rule of Life: Mind

    • Response

    • Practices for Mindful Discipleship
  • 14

    Body

    • Body

    • A Brief Introduction

    • Rule of Life: Body

    • Response

    • Practices for Stewarding your Body
  • 15

    Heart

    • Heart

    • A Brief Introduction

    • Rule of Life: Heart

    • Response

    • Practices for an Emotionally Healthy Life
  • 16

    Rule of Life Generator

    • Putting the Pieces Together