Practice: Talking Spiritual Rhythms with Chris McCurley

In this episode, we sit down with Chris to talk about spiritual disciplines—not as rigid checklists, but as life-giving rhythms. 

Chris shares how he’s currently teaching a series called *“Rhythms,”* reframing spiritual disciplines as habits that tune our lives to God’s pace instead of the world’s. Like a metronome keeps musicians in time, God sets the rhythm for a life that is intentional, eternal, and countercultural.

We discuss:

* Why “business as usual” is one of the greatest threats to spiritual growth

* The danger of turning disciplines into mechanical checklists

* The difference between earning God’s favor and abiding in a relationship with Him (John 15)

* Why confidence in Christ fuels spiritual growth (Romans 8:1)

* The importance of starting your day with “Bible before phone” and “knees before feet.”

* How spiritual disciplines don’t just prepare *us* — they equip us to better serve others

Chris also shares how his background shaped his view of prayer and liturgy, and how his approach has matured over time—from additives to preservatives. He emphasizes that sanctification is a lifelong process and that spiritual disciplines are preparation for eternity—our spiritual “go-bag.”

We close by discussing practical steps for building rhythms:

* Create space in your schedule intentionally

* Find times that work for you

* Surround yourself with spiritually mature mentors

* Use helpful resources like the YouVersion Bible App and BibleProject

* Read thoughtfully and dig deeper than surface-level content

The big takeaway:

The question isn’t just, “Would you die for Jesus?”

It’s, “Will you live for Him — daily, intentionally, rhythmically?”

Spiritual disciplines aren’t about merit. They’re about movement. They train us, mature us, and tune us to God’s eternal tempo.