Bishop Rueben Job has written a new book titled, Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living. This is a little book; only 4" by 6" and 64 pages long with an additional 12 pages of prayer guides and a song. It doesn't take long to read, but it would take you a lifetime to live by the rules. It is a book to generate much thought and discussion. An adult class at my church has already spent several weeks in discussion, and they're only to the second rule.
Job bases his book on John Wesley's General Rules. He uses a shorthand version: Do not harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. Though they sound simple, making the life decisions to carry out these rules are not easy. Is the car I am driving causing harm to the environment? Am I doing enough good? Am I really willing to commit my life to these principles? Do I have to do this in order to be a "good" Christian? Am I really willing to give up being in control in order to follow these rules?
The class has discussed forgiveness, self-defense, and trusting in God. We sing that we will follow Jesus, but are we really committed to loving God and loving neighbor every day in every way?
Members of this class have to struggle with their own level of commitment. If they were members of a Covenant Discipleship group, they would already be doing that and would have help and support for discipleship.
This book makes a wonderful companion piece to Covenant Discipleship. I recommend it to every Sprouts leader. Use it to strengthen your own spiritual life. Use it as background and guide to teaching the foundations of Sprouts to your kids. Help them think about the ways that we do harm every day -- gossip, cheating on homework or tests, bullying, name calling, littering, wasting energy -- the list goes on.
Are they willing to give up these and other harmful ways? What are the "simple" ways Sprouts can do good? What do they need to include in their acts of kindness and justice?
We "stay in love with God" through acts of devotion and worship. Again, easy to say but how faithful are we to these spiritual disciplines? You could use the
book and Bishop Job's guides to daily prayer to help your kids create their own one-line daily prayers.
As adult leader you can be a model and example here. Testify to the impact of spiritual disciplines in your own life. What difference does attending worship and daily Bible study make in your life? How does it help you do no harm and do good? How does it help you stay in love with God?
This book could be a launching point into forming a Covenant Discipleship group, for children, youth, or adults. I recommend you take an hour or two and read Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living.
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