Three Simple Rules for Christian Living by Jeanne Torrence Finley and Rueben P. Job This small-group study by Jeanne Torrence Finley is based on Rueben P. Job's book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living . Six sessions provide extended reflection for adults on three principles of Christian life: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. Each rule has a session to help you understand the rule and a session to help you explore ways to practice the rule. Your church can do a church-wide study of the three simple rules by using the youth resource, Three Simple Rules 24/7, and the children’s resource, Three Simple Rules for Following Jesus, along with this book. A leader guide and DVD for adult study groups are available. Parents who would like to discuss the three simple rules with their children can download a free list of suggested questions at Cokesbury.com (click below). Jeanne Torrence Finley is a clergy member of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, co-chair of the Virginia Conference Board of Church and Society, and director of Collegial Communications. She has worked as a campus minister, pastor, college English teacher, workshop leader, and communications consultant. Finley writes regularly for FaithLink . Her work has appeared in the Journal of Presbyterian History , Worship , The Mennonite , Christian Science Monitor , the Virginia Advocate , and Christian Social Action . For a free online copy of Three Simple Rules A Conversation Guide for Parents click here! An adult study built around Wesleyan principles Jeanne Torrence Finley is a clergy member of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, co-chair of the Virginia Conference Board of Church and Society, and director of Collegial Communications. She has worked as a campus minister, pastor, college English teacher, workshop leader, and communications consultant. Finley writes regularly for FaithLink. She wrote What's in the Bible About God? and Three Simple Rules for Christian Living, a study for adults based on Rueben Job's book and DVD, Three Simple Rules. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Presbyterian History, Worship, The Mennonite, Christian Science Monitor, the Virginia Advocate, and Christian Social Action. Rueben P. Job was a United Methodist bishop, pastor and acclaimed author and served as World Editor of The Upper Room publishing program. Best-known for the classic book, Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living, he also authored or co-authored A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, A Wesleyan Spiritual Reader, Living Fully, Dying Well, Listen, and co-edited Finding Our Way: Love and Law in The United Methodist Church. Bishop Job also chaired the Hymnal Revision Committee that developed the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal. Three Simple Rules for Christian Living By Jeanne Torrence Finley Abingdon Press Copyright © 2008 Abingdon Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4267-0025-5 Contents Introduction, 1. Do No Harm –Understanding the Rule, 2. Do No Harm – Practicing the Rule, 3. Do Good – Understanding the Rule, 4. Do Good – Practicing the Rule, 5. Stay in Love With God – Understanding the Rule, 6. Stay in Love With God – Practicing the Rule, CHAPTER 1 Do No Harm – Understanding the Rule Focus Question: Most Christians do not intend to harm anyone; however, we sometimes are not aware of the harm we do. What does it mean to "do no harm"? A Prayer God of love, we know you want us to love your creation: neighbors, friends or enemies, strangers, the natural world, and ourselves. Yet we do harm, often unintentionally. Help us to be more aware of the harm we do. In Christ we pray. Amen. WHAT DOES THE RULE SAY? Unintended Harm When we moved into our current house, we realized our basement stairs weren't build to present-day code. Most of the treads were shorter than the average adult foot; and in the turn of the stairway, the treads were even shorter. In addition, the risers weren't built in correct proportion to the treads; and halfway down, anyone over six feet tall had to duck to avoid the ceiling. When we had guests, I'd put a sign on the door that said, "Beware! Weird stairs!" A look through a daily newspaper will reveal all kinds of unintended harm. A driver hasn't kept her car in good repair, the brakes fail, and a pedestrian is injured. A distracted nurse gives a patient medicine intended for another, and the patient's condition worsens. A pet owner tells the neighbors that his dog won't bite, but the dog attacks a child. The first rule, "do no harm," is easy enough to understand; but following it can be challenging. The builder of the weird stairs didn't intend to hurt anyone, but the potential for harm was there. The driver, the nurse, and the dog owner didn't intend harm; but people were hurt. Most of us most of the time don't intend to harm anyone, but we are often unaware of the harm we do. What does it