Putting God's Word Into Practice

"This practice of the presence of God is somewhat hard at the outset, yet, pursued faithfully, it works secretly within the soul most marvelous effects; it draws down God's grace abundantly, and leads the soul imperceptibly to the simple look of love, the sight of God's continual presence, which is the most simple and fruitful manner of prayer." - Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

What are practices?

At HCC, we are using the word “practice” synonymously with “habit.” Practices are actions that we can take to place Jesus at the center of our attention. Practices are not ways for us to earn anything. Dallas Willard once said, “Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.” Practicing the Way of Jesus is our way of giving our best effort in our relationship with Jesus.

Why practice?

In John 15, Jesus is teaching his disciples and gives them the image of a vineyard. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Our number one priority in life is to be close to Jesus. The Greek word Jesus uses that we translate “remain in” is menō, which literally would mean to “make your home in.” When we practice the Way of Jesus, we make our home in the presence of God. That is why Brother Lawerence, a monk from the 1600s, called it “practicing the presence of God.” Because we know that when we are near to Jesus, he will produce in us good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Practices for the New Humanity

Throughout our series "A New Humanity" we will be implementing multiple practices to cast a bigger vision for what our lives can be through the power of the Holy Spirit as described by Paul in the letter to the Ephesians. Take a look at the practices below.

Family Prayer Practice

This Family Prayer Practice is designed to inspire you to grow in the habit of prayer. Specifically, we hope you grow in confidence to pray and listen to God individually and as a family. Click the link to access the digital prayer practice.
Family Prayer Practice

Workplace Prayer Practice

This guide is designed to help you start and lead a prayer gathering in your workplace. It provides structure, values, and practical steps so you can facilitate a welcoming, Spirit-led time of prayer.
Workplace Prayer

The Digital Detox

The Digital Detox challenge is an opportunity for you and your family to begin setting some helpful boundaries with technology. It starts off with a 21-day social media fast, and there are some ideas for added digital detox ideas to go above and beyond with your family.
Digital Detox

Practices

Scripture
We become a community of fidelity to God in a culture of ideological compromise through the practice of Scripture.

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,

“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

- 1 Peter 1:22-25

Here are some ways we practice Scripture at HCC:
Prayer
We become a community centered around a relationship with the Father in a culture of distraction and escapism through the practice of Prayer.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:6-7

Here are some ways we practice Prayer at HCC:
Generosity
We become a community of contentment in a culture of consumerism through the practice of Generosity.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Matthew 6:19-21

Here are some ways that we practice Generosity at HCC:
Community
We become a community of love and depth in a culture of individualism and superficiality through the practice of Community.

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

- Ephesians 4:11-13

Here are some ways we practice Community at HCC:
Service
We become a community of justice, mercy, humility and reconciliation in a culture of injustice, pride, and division through the practice of Service.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

- James 1:22-25

Here are some ways we practice Service at HCC:
Rest
We become a community of intentionality and calm in a culture of hurry and exhaustion through the practice of Rest.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

- Matthew 11:28

Here are some ways we practice Rest at HCC:
Sharing
We become a community of hospitality in a culture of hostility through the practice of Sharing.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:18-20

Here are some ways we practice Sharing at HCC: