Your Rule should include an explanation of why your choices not only fit your situation in life but also how they address areas where you especially need discipline and growth.

 In other words, describe how your Rule contributes to the goal of your spiritual formation, namely, being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others.  Always remember this goal as you develop your Rule. 

Making choices about specific disciplines requires prayer and wisdom.  As you decide on 

specific practices (e.g. how and when to pray, serve, practice simplicity, etc.), consider the 

following questions: 

1. What disciplines and specific practices are you attracted to and why you are 

attracted to them? 

There is nothing wrong with choosing spiritual practices because they 

seem suited to your personality (e.g. an introvert may be drawn to more 

inward disciplines).  You will likely engage in those disciplines with the 

greatest consistency and satisfaction.  They may not, however, be the 

practices that will stretch you toward the greatest growth or the ones you 

most need.  Still, they are probably a good place to start, especially if you 

have little spiritual discipline in your life at the moment. 

2. Where do you sense that God is calling you to stretch and grow?  Where do you 

want to change? 

Ask yourself and God why you resist particular disciplines.  Perhaps a 

strong negative reaction to a practice such as fasting or self-examination 

may reveal that you are avoiding a part of your life in need of healing.  

Ask God to show you which disciplines you need in order to address 

weaknesses in your character. 

3. What kind of balance do you need in your life? 

Does your Rule exercise your thoughts, actions, and affections

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