Faith Practices
Faith practices are specific and deliberate actions we take in our journeys as disciples of Jesus Christ. As we intentionally practice these habits, we grow closer to God. Here are twelve topics—a year’s worth—to help you focus on a specific faith practice, offering resources to help guide you as you grow in faith. We invite you to come “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)
Serving Others
(January)
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus models to his disciples a life spent in service to others. As Christians, we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. In serving others, we bring the love of Christ into the world.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Love
(February)
Love is at the heart of all we do as disciples of Christ. God’s love for us is never-ending, and we are asked to show that love to others. The two greatest commandments are “love God,” and ”love our neighbors as ourselves.” It is through love that we bring about the reconciliation of the world to the kingdom of God.
Reading Scripture
(March)
Reading the Bible, the written Word of God, is an essential faith practice for all Christians. We don’t just read the Scriptures for information, but we seek to engage with the words as God’s invitation into relationship. Whether you are opening the Good Book for the first time, or you are looking to connect with the God-inspired texts in new ways, we invite you to try some of the resources here.
“Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Worship
(April)
In worship, we praise God. We gather to hear God’s word, we offer prayers and confession, and we are sent out into the world. In worship, we encounter God, and we respond to God.
“O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.”
Prayer
(May)
In prayer, we engage in conversation with God. We talk, and we listen, although prayer is both spoken and unspoken. We share joys in thanksgiving and sorrows in lament. We ask for help, guidance, and healing for ourselves and for others. We ask for, and receive, forgiveness. In prayer we engage with and respond to God.
Mercy & Justice
(June)
Justice and mercy often go hand in hand in Scripture. When we experience mercy, we can receive or offer compassion and love regardless of merit. Biblical justice encourages us to go a step further and live selflessly to restore justice or fairness to those who are unrightfully hurt or wronged. Together, mercy and justice help us establish ourselves and our neighbors in right relationship with God.
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Listening
(July)
When we listen, we are attentive to God’s voice in a world of distraction and noise. We also learn to be fully present and responsive to the holiness in all God’s people by listening to those around us. In truly listening, we hear and reflect the love of God.
Sabbath
(August)
Sabbath rest is an important faith practice that is often overlooked in our busy lives. Since the earliest days when God models Sabbath rest to us on the seventh day of creation, to Jesus’ retreats to the desert to recharge, we are called to take intentional time apart to rest and prepare anew for our lives of discipleship. In practicing Sabbath rest, we consciously and intentionally set aside the distractions of the world and draw closer to Jesus.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you fill find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden in light.”
Community
(September)
Gathering in community is an important part of our Christian faith. From the earliest days of the church, Jesus’ disciples worshipped together, learned together, prayed together and served together. God invites us into this community in which we live, work, and serve, and it becomes the setting for our Christian life. As we are in relationship with God, we are in relationship with the rest of God’s creation in community.
Stewardship
(October)
Stewardship acknowledges that all that we have and all that we are come from God. As disciples, we seek to use these gifts and resources not for our own uses but for God’s mission in this world. In order to be good stewards, or caretakers of ourselves and our world, we must also practice generosity as we recognize that all good gifts come from God and are best used in ministry and community.
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;”
Gratitude
(November)
We express gratitude when we are thankful for particular blessings, for the “good things” in life. When we show gratitude in more challenging times, though, we acknowledge our trust in God to be present and bring good from all things. As we move through this season of gratitude, practice giving thanks to God for everything in your life, but most of all God’s loving presence.
Advent
(December)
Advent is a holy season for Christians, marking the start of the Christian year. In Advent we wait. We wait for a baby to be born in Bethlehem, but we also prepare for the presence of Jesus Christ in our hearts and in our lives. It is a time of preparation, of patience, and of spiritually grounding ourselves for the year to come.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.”