MM. Review Christian Perfection. Read Paragraph
What "aha" moments have her comments elicited 3. "There is no love of God without patience, and no patience without humility and sweetness of spirit." Is this true? Is this true for you? Do you have the patience for true humility and the sweetness of spirit for true patience?
(and if not "aha," then perhaps "uh oh")?
What practical implications do these reflections offer in your own spiritual life and behavior?
Use the index in The United Methodist Hymnal to identify the hymns of Charles and John Wesley.
Review the hymns to see how these comments are reflected in the Wesleys' hymnody. Sing or say together one or more of the hymns.
4. "Tolerating others and suffering evils in meekness and silence is the sum of a Christian life." Is this so? Is this something you can do and are willing to do? Why or why not?
5. Prayer, and the life of constant prayer, are defined in several ways. Have you recognized prayer in these ways? Is your prayer life more expansive than you thought? If your prayer life is modest, in what ways do you invite God to act in your life and then see that happening?
MM. Review Christian Perfection. Read Paragraph 26 on pages 86-87. Spend a few minutes reviewing and clarifying Wesley's thoughts on Christian perfection. Recall the important insight gained from the previous sections and list some of them.
Read the four Scriptures underlined in question 26 and rewrite them in your own works. Add one or two promises of your own for how to behave your way into that way of being. Keep those promises where you will see and think about them.
6. God cares about the smallest of things. What might be some of the "troubles that sometimes flow from those faults that appear to be minor failings" ? How might excesses of body contribute to the insensitivity of your soul?
7. "The devil never enters more dangerously than by small, unnoticed events that seem to be insignificant. Yet they gradually open the heart to great temptations." (I guess the devil is in the details!)
Do you think this is true? What "insignificant" port of entry is wide open for sin in your life?
These final activities can be included as options for Section VIII, though you are encouraged to plan for an extra session for these closing activities. The Covenant Renewal Service will take about thirty minutes and should be preceded by some time of centering and reflection.
8. "One of the cardinal rules of religion is to lose no opportunity to serve God... in our neighbor."
What opportunities have you left unimproved?
What opportunities do you seize?
NN. Tell Your Own Stories. Spend most (but not all) of your time together telling your own stories.
Who have you known who has most embodied the character of a perfected Christian? Which insight and Scriptures have been the most powerful, even transforming, for you? What, if anything, has encouraged you to a greater dedication to living a LL. Let the "Sparks" Fly. "Sparks From the Fire,"
Chapter 4 of Suchocki's theological reflection, deals with the eight reflections from activity "KK" in a different way. Read the introduction to this chapter together (page 135), then consider the "sparks," either together or by dividing them among small groups. life centered in Jesus Christ? In what new ways do you hear God calling to you (individually or as a church) to be in devoted service?
OO. Develop Action Plans. After you have talked about your stories and sense of call, take time to develop some action plans, both personal and corporate. What specific, attainable, and measurable goals can you set that will move you and your church toward greater godliness in service and worship? e Prayer as participation in God's creative power
(pages 135-138) ¢ Bearing the faults of others and our own faults (pages 138-139) ¢ Praying without ceasing (pages 139-141)
Corporate prayer connecting the body of Christ PP. Have a Covenant Renewal. Close by committing yourself to these goals using the Covenant Renewal
Service (The United Methodist Book of Worship, 288). Include in the service "Jesus, United by Thy
Grace" (The United Methodist Hymnal, 561). Continue in your covenant by forming Covenant
Discipleship Groups (see "N," on page 95).
(pages 141-142) ¢ Offering our good works as prayer (pages 142-144) Read each segment of the chapter and the related text from Wesley's A Plain Account. Examine the theological commentary for each spark and use these questions as discussion/reflection starters: e¢ What is Dr. Suchocki saying?
¢ Do you agree or disagree with her? Why?