An Introduction to Holy Habits

Holy Habits is a way of nurturing disciples. It is a way of life, for living in the whole of life, based on ten practices that Luke presents in his portrait of the first Christian Church in Acts 2.42-47. The habits are Godly i.e. holy and to be lived habitually or day by day as Luke says in Acts 2.

The ten habits are biblical teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, prayer, giving (or the sharing of resources), service, eating together, gladness and generosity, worship and the making of more disciples. Many biblical commentators note how the tenth habit is a Godly consequence of the other nine being faithfully and fruitfully lived.

Commenting on Acts 2.42-47 New Testament Professor James Dunn said ‘anyone who is familiar with movements of enthusiastic spiritual renewal will recognise authentic notes: the enthusiasm of the members of the renewal group, with a sense of overflowing joy, desire to come together frequently, eating together and worshipping and including the readiness for unreserved commitment to one another in a shared common life’. Or in other words whenever we see the Spirit renewing the Church we see the Acts 2 picture emerging.

The Holy Habits are timeless and transcultural and suitable for Christians of all ages, cultures and contexts. One of the joys of the responses to Holy Habits has been the way in which people across the UK, across the denominations and now increasingly across the world have re-engaged with the way of living that Luke presents. The acclaimed biblical commentator CK Barrett argued that Luke presents his picture ‘in order that we imitate it’. As people do that again it is a joy to see the transformation, renewal and growth that God’s Spirit is once more blessing us with.

To help individuals and Churches renew the living of Holy Habits two complementary publications are available. The first is the book Holy Habits written by Andrew Roberts and published by Malcolm Down Publishing. This explores the nature of Christian Discipleship through a rich mix of biblical material and inspiring stories. The nurturing role of the ten habits is then explored, habit by habit. Each chapter has suggestions for further reflection and action that can be used individually or by Churches.

For Churches that want to take this exploration further BRF have published a series of Holy Habits booklets. These booklets contain a wealth of material to help people explore the habits of worship, small groups, children and youth groups, bible studies and community engagement. There are suggested books to read, film to watch, poetry and art to reflect upon as well as suggestions as to how to live the habits regularly and rhythmically. There is one booklet per habit plus an Introductory Guide with suggestions as to how Churches might work with the materials. The materials were first developed in the Birmingham Methodist Circuit and then reworked for usage across the denominations.

Both Holy Habits by Andrew Roberts and the Eden Awards 2017 winning resource, Holy Habits Course, are available to buy from Eden.co.uk

James Dunn: The Acts of the Apostles, Peterborough: Epworth 1996, p34. CK Barrett, Acts 1-14, ICC, Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark, 2004, p160.