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Copyright © 2018 Lorinda Lewis Roberts All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2018 Lorinda Lewis Roberts All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. JOHN WESLEY’S FORMATIVE READING OF SCRIPTURE AS AN APPLICABLE MODEL FOR FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP __________________ A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary __________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Educational Ministry __________________ by Lorinda Lewis Roberts May 2018 APPROVAL SHEET JOHN WESLEY’S FORMATIVE READING OF SCRIPTURE AS AN APPLICABLE MODEL FOR FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP Lorinda Lewis Roberts Read and Approved by: __________________________________________ Joseph C. Harrod (Faculty Supervisor) __________________________________________ Shane W. Parker Date ______________________________ To Landon, Dylan, and Kaden. And to all those helping families grow in Christ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE . vii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION . 1 Familiarity with the Literature . 2 Wesley’s Primary Influences . 5 Void in the Literature . 7 Thesis . 8 2. THE FORMATION OF JOHN WESLEY . 9 Family Background . 9 The Influence of Susanna Wesley . 12 The Influence of Samuel Wesley . 20 The Influence of Wesley’s Sisters . 23 The Influence of Charles Wesley . 25 The Influence of Scripture . 28 The Influence of Religious Authors. 32 The Influence of John Wesley’s Aldersgate Experience . 35 The Influence of a Simple Message . 38 John Wesley’s Influence on the Church . 40 John Wesley’s Wisdom with Age . 42 3. JOHN WESLEY’S TEACHINGS IN PRACTICE . 44 Religion and Education . 44 Family and Children . 55 iv Chapter Page Hymns That Teach . 63 Means of Grace . 67 The Methodist Impact . 74 Wesley’s Theories Did Not Translate . 74 4. MODELS OF FAMILY MINISTRY . 79 Parental Influence . 79 Definition of Family Ministry . 81 Biblical Foundation for Family Ministry . 82 Reasons for Family Ministry . 87 Models for Family Ministry . 89 Training and Equipping Parents . 94 Family Ministry Does Not Address Every Concern . 96 5. WESLEY’S MODEL FOR FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP . 98 Others’ Insight on Wesley and the Formative Reading of Scripture . 99 Overview of Wesley’s Model . 100 Wesley’s Formative Reading of Scripture . 103 Wesley’s Practical Application and Resources . 117 Conclusion . 120 Appendix A MODEL FOR FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP . 122 BIBLIOGRAPHY . 143 v PREFACE I am thankful for my husband, Landon, who has been my greatest support and strength throughout this process. I love that we partner in ministry together wherever the Lord leads. I am extremely grateful to see our sons, Dylan and Kaden, growing in Christ daily. Each stage of life has been exciting, and I treasure the memories we have all made together. I am thankful for the godly heritage passed down to me from my parents, Charlton and Paulette Lewis. They taught by example to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. They have been a source of encouragement throughout my entire life, especially during this season. I am a life-long learner who enjoys adventure. Going back to school has been one of my greatest adventures. My professors, peers, and advisor have enhanced my educational experience greatly. Finally, I offer my deepest and sincere thanks to my supervisor, Dr. Joe Harrod, for his faithful guidance on this journey, helping me to achieve life-long goals and pushing me to go deeper. Lorinda Roberts Columbia, Maryland May 2018 vi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION According to the Bible, Christian parents are given the challenging yet rewarding task of teaching their children scriptural truths.1 Christian parents must not rely entirely on the church to undertake their children’s biblical training. Parents living within the biblical covenant must understand their sacred mandate and thus lead their children as the primary disciple-makers in the home. Christian parents desire to witness their children in a right relationship with God and continually growing in their faith. However, many Christian parents are ill-equipped to lead their children spiritually.2 In the absence of an effective model, parents are likely to become frustrated or quit the process altogether. John Wesley (1703–1791), minister of the eighteenth century, offered practical teachings for many spiritual disciplines. In particular, Wesley adhered to a model that some specialists3 refer to as the formative reading of Scripture.4 In this method, Wesley 1Prov 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Deut 6:6-7 says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” All Scripture references are from the English Standard Version, unless otherwise noted. 2Karen-Marie Yust, Nurturing Child asnd Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World’s Religious Traditions (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2006), 321. 3Specialists such as M. Robert Mulholland, Jr., Susan A. Muto, and Eugene Peterson have written much on this subject. Often, the formative reading of Scripture is referred to as spiritual reading or meditative reading. See M. Robert Mulholland, Jr., “Information versus Formation,” in Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation (Nashville: The Upper Room, 1985), 47-60; Susan Muto, Approaching the Sacred: An Introduction to Spiritual Reading (Denville, NJ: Dimension, 1973); Muto, A Practical Guide to Spiritual Reading (Denville, NJ: Dimension, 1976); Muto, The Formative Power of Sacred Works (Denville, NJ: Dimension, 1979); and Eugene H. Peterson, Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2006). 4Wesley’s formative reading of Scripture can be found in the preface of his commentary on the Old Testament in John Wesley, Notes on the Old Testament: Genesis to Ruth (Bristol, England: William 1 outlines a few simple steps that, when practiced, provide an opportunity to transform the lives of those who participate. Parents seeking to train their children biblically can use Wesley’s methods for the formative reading of Scripture. Using this model under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there is an opportunity for children and parents alike to witness transformation in their spiritual lives. Familiarity with the Literature Wesley was a prolific writer. The Works of John Wesley, compiled through Abingdon Press, contains more than twenty volumes of Wesley’s sermons, journals, and letters.5 Wesley’s sermons that specifically deal with the importance of Scripture in the life of a believer, such as “The Scripture Way of Salvation” and “Scriptural Christianity,” were of interest for this thesis. In addition, I have used the later volumes to include portions of his journal and diaries, especially those writings that contain information dealing with his view of the Word. Using various portions of Wesley’s writings, one finds helpful information related to his personal life, practices, and family relationships. Further, Wesley offers readers specific instructions on how to read the Word in his preface to the Old Testament Notes.6 As one studies Wesley’s guide for reading the Bible, one may see a plan arise worth noting and sharing with others, especially those ministering to families and children. For many years, analysts have been interested in Wesley’s writings. Authors such as John Telford, Richard Heitzenrater, and Anthony Headley look extensively at Wesley’s writings, especially as it relates to his childhood and family experiences.7 Pine, 1765), 8-9; and John Wesley, “Preface to Sermons on Several Occasions,” in John Wesley, ed. Albert Outler (New York: Oxford University Press, 1964), 88-90. 5John Wesley, The Works of John Wesley, 32 vols., ed. Frank Baker et al. (Nashville: Abingdon, 1984). 6Wesley, Notes on the Old Testament, 8-9. 7John Telford, The Life of John Wesley (New York: Hunt and Eaton, 1896); Richard P. 2 Some critics contemplate specifically the relationship found between John and his mother, Susanna (1669–1742). Many have discovered the close bond Susanna shared with her children, in particular with John. Some writers focused their attention on the way she taught her children Scripture.8 Learning more about this relationship is a beginning point for understanding Wesley’s concern for the Word as well as its significant influence throughout his life. Other reviewers, such as Randy Maddox and Kenneth Collins, focus their attention on Wesley’s writings centered on theology and holy living.9 The findings and writings of the various researchers demonstrate links between Wesley’s early childhood experiences and Wesley’s works related to Scripture. Connecting these writings aid families in the discipleship process. A recent book Wesley, Wesleyans, and Reading the Bible as Scripture, focuses on Wesley’s method of reading and interpreting the Bible.10 The book uncovers Wesley’s method of reading the Word for spiritual formation. Though not an exact replica, his approach has been likened unto the ancient practice of lectio divina, as he instructs people to prayerfully and meditatively take time every day to read from the Bible, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through the process for the purpose of spiritual change and growth.11 Uncovering Wesley’s method for Scripture reading, one finds that Heitzenrater, The Elusive Mr. Wesley (Nashville: Abingdon, 1984); Anthony Headley, Family Crucible: The Influence of Family Dynamics in the Life and Ministry of John Wesley (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2010). 8Several authors closely examine Susanna’s method of teaching her children Scripture. Her practices were intentional, precise, and methodical. These authors present findings related to this topic: Arnold A. Dallimore, Susanna Wesley: The Mother of John and Charles Wesley (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993); Sandy Dengler, Susanna Wesley: Servant of God (Chicago: Moody, 1987); and Ray Comfort and Trish Ramos, Susanna Wesley: Her Remarkable Life (Alachua, FL: Bridge-Logos, 2014).
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