The Rhythms and Practices
of the Open Door

How We Seek to Live

We seek to live in the way of Jesus by practicing simple weekly rhythms - to regularly Listen to God, Learn from God, Eat with others, Encourage others and Give ourselves away to the world.

1. Listen: We seek to practice listening by setting aside at least 1 focused time of listening to God’s "still, small voice." each week.

In doing this, we will follow Jesus' example of seeking time alone with God: "After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray" (Matthew 14:23). And we will trust God's promise to meet us when we come to Him: "You will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:12-13). The methods can vary: take a walk, journal, pray, meditate; listen to music, or any other way you find to be still with God.

2. Learn: We seek to practice learning by devoting at least 1 focused time of learning, from Christ, through scripture each week.

Jesus says, take my yoke upon you and learn form me for I am gentle and humble at heart and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). Learning from Jesus can take a variety of forms but scripture is the primary text we seek to learn through (though not limited to that). God’s Word is living and active (Heb. 4:12); useful for shaping and molding us and therefore we desire to sit under it and allow it to teach us. Consider the following passages to contemplate the dynamic power of God’s word: (Deut 11:18-21; Psalm 119; Luke 6:47-48; Col 3:16; Heb 4:12).

3. Eat: We strive to eat with at least 2 people we don’t live with (1 from the Open Door and 1 not) each week.

Jesus regularly ate with friends and strangers. He culminated his ministry in the last supper, where he told us to do likewise. Eating with others is a place of conversation, community and hospitality and it is practiced throughout scripture in regular celebrations, feasts, sacrifices and gatherings of the people of God. Whether with one or many, whether coffee or a feast, whether serving or being served, sharing a meal together provides an opportunity to grow in relationships, to build trust, and ultimately for Christ to work through us in those relationships. (Numbers 10:10; Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 22:7-20; Rev. 19:1-9)

4. Encourage: We seek to practice encouragement by intentionally encouraging 2 people (1 from the Open Door and 1 not) through words, gifts or actions each week.

Jesus said we will face difficulty in life but that we should be encouraged in the midst of that because he has overcome the world! God encourages the afflicted and listens to their cry (Psalm 10:17). We seek to pass on that encouragement on to others. Through an encouraging note or email, a phone call, a gift, or an act of kindness we hope to empower others, lend courage, give strength and bless people as God has done for us. (Psalm 10:17; Proverbs 12:25; Romans 15:4-5; I Thes. 5:11, 15; Heb. 3:13)

5. Give: We look for regular ways to give away our time, money, skills and/or passions to others and the world.

The great paradox of the life and ministry of Jesus is that in losing his life he gained it, in humbling himself he was lifted up and in giving he received. We strive to follow the way of Jesus by giving to neighbors, strangers and other communities, to serve them and grow the Kingdom of God. Examples of this are regular and structured giving like tithing, financial support, mentoring a child, fixing homes or child sponsorship, as well as the spontaneous prompting of God to give of our selves. (Matt. 20:25-28; John 15:12-14; Leviticus 23; Luke 12:22-34; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11)