IN THE COMMUNITY OF A SMALL GROUP

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV)

Ecclesiastes provides a visual image of what it means for us to be present in Christian community with a small group of fellow disciples. The first Methodists both believed and practiced that principle.

John and Charles Wesley were engaged in small groups that were designed to counteract the widespread spiritual apathy and casual immorality of the time by promoting holiness of heart and life. Those groups were the first examples of the kinds of small groups that Wesley would later organize into a network of “class meetings,” “bands,” and “societies.” These groups would become the organizational genius of the Methodist movement. When the movement had grown to the point that John Wesley was preaching to thousands of people at a time, he observed that those who were active participants in the small groups continued to grow in their faith, while those who were not engaged in such a group quickly fell away.

That principle is just as true today as it was in eighteenth-century England. The evidence is clear that if an individual’s only contact with the congregation is worship, there is a good chance that he or she either will fall away or will miss out on the concern and care of the church community. Growth to maturity as a disciple is connected to others in the community of a small group.  

-- Adapted from “A Disciple’s Path: Deepening Your Relationship with Christ and the Church” by James A. Harnish

#5550

ALMOST CHRISTIANS

"Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’ And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am.’”  (Acts 26:28-29)

[In the 1700’s John] Wesley challenged listeners throughout England (and Scotland, Ireland, and Wales) to a deeper level of commitment and a serious pursuit of a holy life. Wesley said that many who thought they were Christians seemed to be in name only; they were “almost Christians.” They did not have the joy, assurance, or peace that comes from being wholly surrendered to God. They lived their lives in compromise with sin, willing to do just enough good but no more. They entertained evil, provided that it wasn’t too extreme. They did little or nothing to grow in love with God.

In what ways did the church in Wesley’s day resemble the faith in our churches today? Some would suggest in a great many ways.

Wesley said there is so much more to being a Christian than simple acceptance; there is a power, love, and joy that come from walking with God. And God expects more of Christians than simply trying to not be so bad as other people. 

-- Adam Hamilton in “Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It”

#4912

UNMERITED, UNCONDITIONAL, UNENDING

“God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT)

Salvation cannot be earned. There's no behavior, no matter how holy or righteous, by which we can achieve salvation. Rather, it's the gift of a gracious God.

“By grace” we mean God's extraordinary love for us. In most of life we're accustomed to earning approval from others. This is true at school, at work, in society, even at home -- to a degree. We may feel that we have to act "just so" to be liked or loved. But God's love, or grace, is given without any regard for our goodness. It's unmerited, unconditional, and unending love.

As we come to accept this love, to entrust ourselves to it, and to ground our lives in it, we discover the wholeness that God has promised. This trust is called faith. God takes the initiative in grace; but only as we respond through faith is the change wrought in us.

This is the great theme of the Protestant Reformers, as well as John Wesley and the Methodists who followed: We're saved by grace alone through faith alone. We're made whole and reconciled by the love of God as we receive it and trust in it.

-- George Koehler in “United Methodist Member's Handbook, Revised” (Discipleship Resources, 2006) 

#4560

EPITAPH FOR SUSANNA WESLEY

In sure and steadfast hope to rise,
And claim her mansion in the skies,
A Christian here her flesh laid down,
The cross exchanging for a crown.
True daughter of affliction, she,
Inured to pain and misery,
Mourn'd a long night of griefs and fears,
A legal night of seventy years.
The Father then revealed His Son;
Him in the broken bread made known;
She knew and felt her sins forgiven,
And found the earnest of her heaven.
Meet for the fellowship above,
She heard the call, "Arise, my love!"
"I come!" her dying looks replied,
And, lamb-like as her Lord, she died.

-- Charles Wesley


#3902