¢ Pride: If you know you have attained to the mind
of Christian perfection? What is the difference between sincerity and Christian perfection?
Section VII The general theme of Section VII is advice given to those who have fallen from grace. Chapter 3 of Suchocki's theological reflection, "Advices" (pages
Temptation and Corruption: What is the distinction between temptation and corruption of the heart? How does sanctification overcome temptation and corruption? How does Scripture help us understand how Christian perfection is possible in a world of sin and corruption?
125-134), expands the theological commentary on this advice.
EE. Sing About Jesus. Begin this section by singing or saying together "Jesus! The Name High Over All" (The United Methodist Hymnal, 193).
AA. Illustrate a Lack of the Fruit of the Spirit. First look at Wesley's diagnosis of those who are somehow lacking in the fruit of the Spirit and who FF. Keep From Falling From Grace. Form five new groups to consider the first five pieces of advice Wesley offers those who would protect themselves from falling from grace. Review together as necessary questions 29-31 (pages 71-72), then in the five groups review questions 32-36 (pages 73-78), one question per group. Use the following questions as discussion/reflection starters. Look up the Scriptures
"grieve the Holy Spirit." Read Galatians 5:6-21 and questions 27 and 28 (pages 69-71). In five small groups, review how Wesley describes those who are lacking in gentleness, goodness, fidelity, meekness, and temperance. In each small group, draw a composite picture of a person, church, community, or nation lacking in one of these gifts of the Spirit. Be both general and specific in your portrait.
(and surrounding verses for context) that are cited in each question, per the endnotes. Take several minutes all together to compare your insights on the nature and consequence of each of these sins.
BB. Create a Social Map. Next go back to read questions 22-26 (pages 68-69) and Galatians 5:2226. One who lives completely in the fruit of the Spirit is both justified and sanctified, and generally this happens as a process. Together create a "social map" from today onward. Imagine that everyone in your portrait is surely going on to perfection.
Describe, draw, create a song, or write in a journal about what things look like today, in two years, in five years, in ten years, and so on. Be both general and specific. How might the world (or neighborhood) look near the end of your lives? What social conventions and institutions, including the church, will change and how? Invite the groups to compare their portraits and their conclusions.
Pride: If you know you have attained to the mind of Christ and want to share that with others, how is that distinguished from pridefulness? How would you describe the relationship between grace and light? (See also the sidebar on page 53 and Suchocki's comments on "The First Advice:
Beware of Pride," pages 125-127.) Enthusiasm: What is enthusiasm? What is the difference between pride and enthusiasm? How can you recognize the "device of Satan" that expects the ends without the means? (See also the sidebar on page 53 and Suchocki's comments on "The Second Advice: Beware of Enthusiasm," pages
127-129.) CC. Growing In and Falling From Grace. Read questions 29-31, on pages 71-72. By God's grace we may attain Christian perfection, but then we must never relax our vigilance lest we fall. Perfection is not a goal to attain nor a prize to keep, but a minute-by-minute way of life. How, in your Christian journey, do you see steps of maturation in faith? How do you keep from being discouraged if you miss the mark? Does desiring and ordering your life toward Christian perfection seem like a chore that never ends or a blessing
Antinomianism: What is antinomianism? What is the role of bigotry, self-indulgence, intolerance, and solifidianism in moral law and the law of love? (See also the sidebar note on page 77 and Suchocki's comments on "The Third Advice:
Beware of Antinomianism," pages 129-131.) Sins of Omission: How can we be judged for what we do not do? How many opportunities do you leave unimproved each day? How might a review of your day or week reveal missed opportunities for doing good? (See also Suchocki's comments on to enjoy when it comes, or something else? What, in your estimation, is God's grace worth to you?
DD. Sing About Principles. Close your time together by singing or saying "I Want a Principle Within"
(The United Methodist Hymnal, 410).
"The Fourth Advice: Beware of Sins of Omission," page 131.) OR
Desiring Only God: Take an inventory of a typical earnest; and (5) the usefulness of your life in the world, with an eye to finding exemplary ways to fulday to review how often your thoughts are on something other than God. How can we orient our fill them. What attitudes and behaviors do you brush over or ignore that might be brought into an exemplary life for God? (See also Suchocki's brief theological comment on "The Seventh Advice: Be
Exemplary in All Things," pages 133-134.) lives at work, home, school, and play to "desire only God"? What would that look like to you? (See
Suchocki's comments on "The Fifth Advice: Beware of Desiring Anything But God," pages 131-132.)
II. Offer Commitments to God. Close this section by commending to God the discoveries and commitments regarding your local congregation, The United
Methodist Church, and your personal lives. Read aloud 2 Peter 1:3-11 as a benediction and reminder of God's desires and promise for us.
Next, working privately and in silence, take five minutes or so to think, write, and pray about how you may be engaging in the sin mentioned in your group's question (or one of the others, if you wish) and how God can work in your life to lead you from falling away from grace.
GG. Write Ten Commandments of Unity. Read question 37 (the sixth advice, on pages 78-80; see also
Suchocki's comments on "The Sixth Advice: Beware of Schism," pages 132-133), which offers important advice about avoiding schism or separation in the church or in society. (Wesley would argue that unity
Section VIII The general theme of Section VIII completes J 25 with a review of eight theological reflections on the life that is ordered according to the mind of Christ, after which Wesley determines that he has done what he proposed. In this session (or in a separate
Session IX) you will propose how to follow through on your own journey toward Christian perfection. is not debatable for the church, since the church's central role is as the unified, holistic body of Christ, regardless of how imperfectly that role may be lived out.) First identify and write on a chalkboard or newsprint Wesley's main points so that they can be seen easily by all. Look up the Scriptures (and surrounding verses for context) that are noted. Using these words of advice from Wesley and from the Bible, make up your own Ten Commandments of church unity. Invite each person to rank the commandments according to how crucial that advice is,
JJ. Sing About Peace in Christ. Begin this section by singing or saying together "Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose" (The United Methodist Hymnal, 153).
KK. Reflections on Wesley's Last Advice. Wesley's "last advice" (question 38, at the end of Section VII, page 80) is supported in eight reflections (pages
81-86) that deal with general advice, the place of suffering, humility, love of others, prayer, following the "narrow way," vigilance, and the life of service.
Individually select the reflection that seems the most difficult or foreign for you. (Those who select the same point can work together.) Use these questions as necessary to begin your own reflection. If you wish, do this as a journaling exercise. After working with the reflection that seems most difficult, choose one or two others and continue your assessment of your own progress of sanctification. first for your congregation and then for The United
Methodist Church, with 10 being most crucial and 1 being least crucial. Tally the rankings.
In three small groups, discuss the top three rankings for the local church and for The United Methodist
Church, one local commandment and one United Methodist commandment per group. Note that Wesley urges confession for those who fall short. Discuss why your group's commandment is so important, what is done or not done that contributes to its importance, and what failings need to be confessed.
Name three practical, achievable things you can do as a church or as individuals to follow that commandment faithfully. Compare your findings, write them down, and collect them.
1. "The most direct way God uses to draw us to God is to afflict us in the thing we love most, and with good reason." What does this mean? How might it be true for you?
2. Are you "thoroughly willing that God should treat you in the manner that is pleasing to God... without complaining"? How can you tell if what you suffer is what God wills or is a result of sin— yours or another's?
HH. Be Exemplary. Read this first part of question 38, on page 80. Make a beginning, cursory list of (1) the outward things; (2) the little things; (3) the regard and use of money; (4) the things you take in Cary