Wesley Bible Study - Tuesday, March 2, 2021 - 7-8pm on ZOOM

The Means of Sanctifying Grace

“To say the Christian life depends upon the grace of God is not enough. Wesley insisted God’s grace was normally mediated through , and to neglect any of the means of grace available was both disobedient (in the case of those means instituted by Christ) or unwise. The means of grace countered such dangers to the Christian life as formalism and enthusiasm, despair and presumption; they demonstrated their importance through enabling Christians to grow in love and the other affections. Wesley provided a full range of means of grace for the Methodists, and urged their continual participation in all the means.” ~Henry H. Knight III, The Presence of God in the Christian Life, 1992.

Opening Prayer

Lord, help us to wait for you in the ways of prayer. In prayer we realize your wonderful promises for all your children. Here you nature our life of faith and build our trust in you. Lord, help us to wait for you in searching the scriptures. As we hear, read, and meditate upon your Word, confirm your truth, increase our wisdom, empower us to share the fullness of Christ. Lord, help us to wait for you as we share together in the Lord’s Supper. Here your Word becomes real in our lives. Here your love becomes visible and tangible and touches us most deeply. Guard us from trusting in these means rather than seeking your presence, from making your own means, ends themselves. Amen. ~Paul Chilcote, Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit, 2001

Wesley understood the means of grace to be practices through which God’s pardoning and empowering Presence is truly communicated to us for the healing of our sin-sick nature means of grace are also exercises that co-operatively nature the healing we need three dimensions of saving grace: 1) 2) justifying grace 3) sanctifying grace Wesley’s considerations of the means of grace focused predominately on their contribution to sanctification sanctification (Wesley’s thought) a life-long process of healing our sin-distorted affections there is a need for continually renewing the empowerment for this healing also needed is a persistent deepening of our awareness of the deceptive motivations and prejudices remaining in our life co-operant healing entails some discernment of what still needs to be healed the means of grace provide what is needed on both accounts

Read 1 John 1:1-5:21

The Lord’s Supper • Wesley has no consistent hierarchy for the means of grace • each plays a valuable role in nurturing Christian holiness • yet Wesley clearly has a particular appreciation for the contribution of the Lord’s Supper - referring to it as “the grand channel” whereby grace of the Spirit is conveyed to humans • partaking of communion is a first step in working out our salvation • if communion is ever appropriate it is always appropriate • conversion could happen during communion therefore communion is open to all

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• power is conveyed for transforming our sin-distorted lives while also shaping the nature of that transformation • communion is not an isolated act, it takes place within a liturgical framework • a central aspect of the liturgy is guided reflection on and confession of sins • this deepens our awareness of motivations, prejudices, practices that remain in need of healing • the liturgy always ends with a prayer of thanksgiving • in the Lord’s Supper we do not merely accept gracious forgiveness from Christ as Priest, we also renew our responsive allegiance to Christ as King

Corporate Worship • Wesley stressed the need for attending both parish worship (Anglican Church) and society worship (Methodist movement) • this is not a matter of duty but of sustenance - spiritual nurture • we go to participate in salvation not for the sake of the church • there is a weekly pattern

Formal Prayers • very Anglican (Book of Common Prayer) • Wesley - Sunday Service • some argued for extemporaneous prayers only • Wesley this each type of prayer supplements the other • Wesley rejects the exclusive use of either • formal prayers must be personally appropriated • formal prayer gives an objective interrogation of our motivations and prejudices which is crucial for growth in grace

Scripture Lectionary • public reading of scripture • a necessity in the early church for all to hear the scripture • Reformation thinking enlarges the place of public reading because of the preference of scripture over tradition • lectionary: a system of continual readings over the church year • reading scripture systematically does not stifle the leading of the Holy Spirit • the concern is for all of scripture to shape the Christian life

Church Year • Wesley removes days devoted to saints as well as mention of Epiphany and Lent • goal was simplification of the seasons tied directly to Christ - Advent/Easter & Ascension/Pentecost • the practical theological concern is that the entire year is holy, not just special days • Wesley had nothing against remembering the saints however and was personally and of All-Saints Sunday • prayers for God to grant us grace to imitate the saints here now and to rejoice with them in heaven later

Hymns • in a sense methodist hymns replace some more formal liturgical practices • impossible to separate hymn singing from

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• “…the hymns saved me…” Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean • hymns allow the expression of intense feelings • hymns also instruct persons in the faith • Wesley prefers to sing accapella as to not obscure the meanings of the words • Wesley rejects complex anthems and overlapping vocals for the same reasons • hymns both empower and shape Christian discipleship

Sermon • a reformation emphasis - the word proclaimed • field preaching has an evangelistic purpose of awakening to a spiritual need • pastoral preaching forces on worship settings - provide encouragement and guidance for growth in the saving relationship with God • pastoral preaching pattern: inviting, convincing, offering Christ, building up • the role of the sermon is to communicate Christ in all 3 offices 1. Priest: assuring us of God’s pardoning love 2. Prophet: revealing our remaining need 3. King: leading our further growth in Christ-likeness

Communal Support • corporate worship was incorporated into society meetings because Wesley valued it so highly as a means of grace • some Methodists were ridiculed for taking Christian discipleship seriously • the support of a community that shares one’s view of reality is needed for mutual encouragement and support • gather under a common vision of the Christian life as a spiritual help • any model of spirituality that relies on individual pursuit of holiness is inappropriate • “The gospel of Christ knows no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. I mean not only that it cannot subsist so well, but that it cannot subsist at all without society, without living and conversing with [others].” ~

Help us to help each other Lord, Each other’s cross to bear; Let each his friendly aid afford, And feel his brother’s care. Help us to build each other up, Our little stock improve; Increase our faith, confirm our hope, And perfect us in love.

Love Feasts • a continuation of the early Christian agape meal • idea comes from the Moravians • unconsecrated bread and water • shared by each participant with another • becomes a monthly service for the whole society • the role of testimony was elevated • testimony was to model and encourage progress along the way of salvation • God works in the love feast to nourish us with social grace

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Watch-Night Services • a monthly celebration - then quarterly - then yearly on New Year’s eve • a time of reflection • awaken us of remaining sin and convince us of God’s support • community setting provides a context for mutual support and honesty • solemn and comforting

Covenant Renewal • source was the Puritan Richard Alleine (Vindiciae Pietatis) • a simple periodic renewal of the commitment to God • eventually becomes a New Year’s Day tradition • provides a setting for 1) recurrent recognition and confession of our failures to live responsibly within our restored relationship to God 2) an affirmation of God’s faithfulness and forgiveness 3)the renewal of our commitment based of God’s gracious empowerment • this is not an individualistic understanding of the Christian life because of its communal context • the ritual places primary emphasis on God’s holy love and grace while casting our human responsibility in its light

Accountability • mutual accountability is linked to communal support • accountability implies some form of discipline is involved in the Christian life • “The soul and body make a [human]; but spirit and discipline make a Christian.” ~John Wesley • continued spiritual health guaranteed if discipline is maintained

The General Rules • 1) avoid all sin 2) do as much good as one can 3) attend all the ordinances of God • quarterly examine by the pastor • persistence in breaking the rules revokes ticket to meetings • charges of legalism, judgmentalism, works-righteousness • the goal was to capture the wisdom of common sense and Scripture • purpose is not to earn God’s favor • purpose is nature character into Christ-likeness

Spiritual Directors • every christian needs spiritual direction • provides accountability for growth in holiness • this is caring for souls

Accountability Groups • often called Christian conferencing • class meetings, bands, permanent bands, select societies • these substructures of Methodist societies is to support member’s responsible participation in the transforming work of God’s grace • everybody assigned to a class meeting of 12 members • wide-ranges of spiritual need in the class • class-leader (spiritually mature) for each class

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• visit weekly each member and inquire of their spiritual responsiveness and growth while providing comfort, encouragement, advice, or reproof when needed • bands were voluntary and involve spiritual maturity • separate bands for men and women • accountability but no violation of confidences • select society was for the most committed of Methodists • for those pressing on to entire sanctification • model holiness patterns for the larger society • goal is to hold all things in common

Private Exercises • fix some part of every day for reading and prayer • “It is for your life: there is no other way: Do justice to your own soul: give it time and means to grow.” ~John Wesley • God works through these private exercises to renew our energy for growth in holiness • you become like those you spend time with; therefore spend time with the Trinity

Study of Scripture • regular personal study of scripture is at the top of Wesley’s list • daily reading of scripture • read a portion of bot the old and new testaments • each morning and each evening • meditate on what you read

Devotional/Catechetical Readings • a Puritan practice • Wesley’s Christian Library • there is a basic connection between one’s worldview and one’s devotion

Private Prayers • individuals and families • “The grand means of drawing near to God.” ~John Wesley • creates in us a disposition to receive God’s grace and blessing • shapes Christian character • covers a range of contributions toward the welfare of others • there is a connection between the love of God and the love of others Love of God and Love of Others • we can only love God or others in response to God’s gracious love for us • we can only love human beings in conjunction with the love for God • anyone who fails to love neighbor can not truly love God • works of piety deepen our love for God which deepen our love for neighbors at the same time that our love for neighbors will deepen our love for God

Formative Effect of Works of Mercy • exercise all holy tempers and thereby improve them • strengthen and shapes • the pattern of servanthood reshapes our moral nature into the image of Christ

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The Place of Self-Denial • indispensable for the Christian life • this would include • avoidance of frivolous pleasures - gambling & expensive clothes • has nothing to do with self-abuse physically • it is a willingness to embrace God’s will instead of one’s own will • example: God’s will is to give to all those in need all that we earn which is above that required to meet our necessities • a converse dimension of works of mercy

Read James 1:1-5:20

“Your systematic theology (what you believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, human beings) should shape your daily/weekly spiritual journey in the way of salvation. This is true Methodist spirituality. Also, what you chose to practice daily (whether spiritual or not) shapes your theological outlook about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and human beings.” ~Charles W. Harrison

Handouts 1. The General Rule of Discipleship 2. Wesleyan Faith Journey 3. Wesleyan Model of Ministry 4. When Grace is the Chauffeur: A Wesleyan Model for Youth Ministry

“The closest term in contemporary vocabulary to what Wesley meant by sanctification is spirituality. Many Christians, including many in Wesleyan churches, feel a hunger for something more than their present participation in Christian life provides them….their lives still seem fragmented, aimless, empty, without sufficient purpose, shallow. They seek some structure or discipline that can respond to these needs.” John B. Cobb, Jr., Grace & Responsibility, 1995

Closing Prayer

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. ~UMH page 11

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Homework

(You need a cheap notebook or scratch pad to keep notes and writings in. This is just for you.)

Wednesday: Read and Pray Psalm 17 - what does God reveal to you through this song/poem? What does it say about God? What does it say about human beings? What does it say about the (grace) relationship between God and human beings?

Thursday: Read all of 1 John - how does this letter relate to our study of sanctifying means of grace? Which verses stand out for you? Can you work to commit them to memory?

Friday: Read all of the Letter from James - how does this letter inform your works of mercy? What have you done well and consistently? What need improvement in your daily spiritual walk as it relates to acts of mercy?

Saturday: Who are you accountable to for your own spiritual growth? What steps do you need to take now to improve your accountability for being responsible for the grace God gives you?

Sunday: Sabbath - go to Sunday school, go to worship, share a meal, unplug, be thankful, relax

Monday: Go back over each section of this handout. Make notes on your thoughts. Why do you do what you do as a Christian to grow spiritually? How committed are you to the Christian life 24/7? What could strengthen your commitment? Re-read the Scriptures from this week. Do you see anything new that you missed before? How is the Presence of the Holy Spirit guiding and empowering you as you work on this study daily?

Tuesday: Class on ZOOM 7-8pm

*All quotes lacking attribution are from: Maddox, Responsible Grace

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