Copyright 2005 United Methodist Church in Cameroon.

. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by an means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying without permission. Requests for permission should be addressed to UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN CAMEROON, B.P. 491 FEMEC Yaounde, Cameroon 223-52-35 Email:ummccam@yahoo.com

A Publication of the United Methodist Church in Cameroon

THE UNITED

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN CAMEROON B.P. 491

FEMEC
Yaounde, Cameroon
223-52-35
Email: umccam@yahoo.com

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METHODIST CHRISTIAN
An Eight-Week Bible Study Course
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THE UNITED METHODIST CHRISTIAN What is a United Methodist? A United Methodist is simply none other than a Biblical Christian, who aspires to be holy and to live completely for the glory of God. Thats the short answer! In this eight-week study of United Methodist Christianity, you will receive the longer answer. Do you like a good story? This course is told like a story several different stories in fact. The story of United Methodism is a story, first of all, of the way God moves in the world. Because God loves the world, he does everything he can to convince people of his love, to the extent of sending his own beloved son to earth. Throughout history, God has been at work wooing people to himself, drawing people closer, and using men and women as his instruments on earth. One of those men that God used was John Wesley, a priest in the Church of England in the 18th-century. The story of United Methodism is also his story; John launched the movement that now boasts over 60 million adherents. In addition to being a celebrated revival preacher, John was an author, songwriter, organizer, antislavery advocate, prison minister, and missionary. The story that John started was continued by those who became Christians under his preaching. They became known as the people called Methodists, and they helped spread the gospel from England to every continent on the earth. But finally, the story of United Methodism is your
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COVENANT PRAYER OF JOHN WESLEY Lord, let me be your servant, under your command.
I will no longer be my own.
I will give up myself to your will in all things.
Make me what you will.
I put myself fully into your hands:
Put me to doing, or put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you.
Let me be full, or let me be empty.
Let me have all things, or let me have nothing.
I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and
disposal.
O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You have now become my Covenant Friend.
And I, through your infinite grace, have become your
covenant servant.
So be it.
And let the covenant I have made on earth
be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

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Date:
I certify that I have completed the eight weeks of study con
tained in this booklet, The United Methodist Christian, and
have prayerfully considered the meaning of becoming a
United Methodist Christian. I hereby consent to the themes
contained in the booklet, and reaffirm my commitment to be-
coming a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
I will be JOYFUL
and HOLY
and PRAYERFUL
and BIBLICAL!
I will INVITE people to know Jesus.
I will LOVE my neighbors and my enemies.
I BELONG to a community of faith.
And I will put my FAITH TO WORK!

THE UNITED METHODIST CHRISTIAN story. The vision of scriptural holiness that God gave to John Wesley has now been given to you; you have been called by God, forgiven by Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to have abundant life. As you work through this study, prepare yourself to pray the Covenant Prayer found in the back of the book. It is our prayer that, upon completion of the study, you will recommit yourself to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ, and a faithful member of your local United Methodist Church. Each lesson includes: a story from the life of John Wesley; a brief explanation of United Methodist theology and doctrine; a bit of history of the Methodist church; questions for reflection; Scriptures for study; and a daily reading plan. These studies may be done with a class and a leader; or they may be done individually. At the end of the study, please present your completed book to your pastor for approval. You will be asked to pray the Covenant Prayer in a special worship service, at which time you will receive a pin confirming your completion of the first course. I hope this study helps you to understand and appreciate what it means to be a United Methodist Christian. May God bless you on this journey! Rev. Dr. Wesley Magruder Director of Mission, United Methodist Church in Cameroon

Signature of Candidate

Signature of Pastor

Signature of Mission Director

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LESSON ONE A UNITED METHODIST CHRISTIAN IS JOYFUL!

__________________________________________________

DAY SIX: Read Jesus words in Luke 12:13-21. Why is greed such a danger for the Christian? _________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ DAY SEVEN: Read what happens when a rich man approaches Jesus and asks for eternal life in Luke 18:18-30. Why did Jesus tell him to sell everything he had?___________________________ __________________________________________________ DAY ONE: Pray the Opening Prayer, then read the lesson and do the exercises at the end of each section. Opening Prayer: Lord, open my heart that I may see you clearly. Give me the assurance and joy of salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. I. WESLEYS STORY A young man, recently ordained a priest in the Church of England, boarded a ship headed for America in 1733. This mans name was John Wesley. John hoped to preach the Word of God to American Indians. He was full of energy and desire, but in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the ship encountered several terrible storms. In the midst of one of these storms, John experienced great fear. As wave after wave crashed over the deck, John feared for his life, and he discovered that he was afraid to face the judgment of God. What if God did not accept him? What if he had not been good enough to merit eternal life? What if God sent him to hell? As John worried and prayed, he noticed that at least one group of people on board the ship were at peace. These were a group of Moravian Lutheran Christians who were having a worship service below deck. Even as the boat lurched from side to
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What part of the Social Creed did you particularly like? Why? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

DAY TWO: Read James 1:19-27. According to this passage, what is true religion? Does this surprise you? _________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

DAY THREE: Paul organized a fundraising effort to support suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Read his appeal to the church in Corinth in II Corinthians 8:1-15. Why does Paul say that the Corinthians should contribute generously? ___________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

side, these Christians prayed, sang, and read Scripture as if there were no danger. John began to wonder what these Christians had that he didnt have. Once he arrived in America, John experienced great difficulty. The Indians did not respond to his preaching; the American colonists resisted his efforts, too. After only a year, John was forced to return to England in shame. The experience caused John to reconsider his Christianity. He realized that he had been seeking for Gods acceptance based on his own efforts and good works. One evening, while at a Bible study in a home on Aldersgate Street in London, he had an experience of Gods grace. This is what happened in Johns own words: I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sin, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. From this moment, Johns life began to change. No longer did he put his faith in his own attempts to please God; he realized that God already loved him, and through the work of Jesus Christ, had already forgiven him. All that John had to do was to believe it, and start to live like it was true! Do you ever worry about what will happen to you after you die? __________________________________________________ Why or why not?_____________________________________

DAY FOUR: The Old Testament prophets often spoke out against injustice and oppression. Read Amos 5:7-15. Are you aware of instances of injustice and corruption in your own situation? What does God think of it? __________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________ II. THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION What John discovered in a powerful way was the truth of salvation. He finally understood what the Apostle Paul had discovered hundreds of years earlier that we cant save ourselves, only God can save us! Though we are sinners, God loves us like a parent. He created us to live a life of purpose, meaning, and true joy. But, since the beginning of time, when Adam and Eve chose to go their own way and do their own thing, humans have failed to live the life that God had planned. Our sin has brought us misery and disappointment.
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DAY FIVE: Read another Old Testament prophet, Micah 6:6-8. What do you think it means to act justly? ________________ ___________________________________________________
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Many of us try to change like John, we go to church, become active in good works, even read the Bible, hoping to become better people and make God love us. The good news is that we dont have to try harder to win Gods love. God took action, when he saw that we were imperfect and sinful. He chose to send his son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins, and reclaimed for God. All that we have to do to receive the benefits of Jesus Christ is to receive them by faith! To be saved means to willingly and openly accept Gods gift. Read carefully this passage from the book of Ephesians, in which Paul explains what grace is: You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is Gods gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isnt something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. Thats why he sent Christ to make us what we are. (Eph. 2:8-20) When the truth of this statement sinks in, you will begin to understand the reality of Christian assurance. You will feel confident that you are accepted in Gods eyes; you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are saved, that Jesus died and was raised for you personally; you can begin to feel the power of the Holy Spirit rise up inside of you. Do you have the assurance of salvation that John, and Paul, felt? _____________________________________________________ Why or why not?_______________________________________ _____________________________________________________ III. THE JOY OF SALVATION The Christian who has the assurance of salvation is a wonderful, new creation. He feels free and light; he has the peace that passes understanding deep within his heart. United Methodist Christians throughout the years have been distinguished by their sense of assurance in salvation, and by a sense of joy. Johns brother, Charles, had his own dramatic experience of salvation just days before John. Charles was a gifted
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well as over 700 campus ministries. In an attempt to preach the whole gospel, the United Methodist Church has adopted a set of Social Principles, which state the churchs positions on various issues from a biblical and theological perspective. The issues addressed include technology, marriage, sexuality, rights of women, alcohol, drugs, and poverty. A short version of the Social Principles has also been published. It is called Our Social Creed, and it is printed here in full: Our Social Creed* We believe in God, Creator of the world, and in Jesus Christ, the
Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through
whom we acknowledge Gods gifts, and we repent of our sin in
misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.
We affirm the natural world as Gods handiwork and dedicate our-
selves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by hu-
mankind.
We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of com-
munity, sexuality, marriage, and the family.
We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children,
youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to im-
provement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of
racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.
We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory
of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection
of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from
God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in
the elimination of economic and social distress.
We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of
justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all
people of the world.
We believe in the present and final triumph of Gods Word in hu-
man affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life
of the gospel in the world. Amen.

*From The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. Copyright 2004 by the United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission

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responsibility to take good care of our bodies: Dont you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit? We must take care of our bodies, and to the best of our abilities, live healthily, eating foods that are good for us, abstain from self-destructive appetites, and make good decisions about our bodies. Jesus was concerned for peoples physical needs; he fed the crowds when they gathered, and he healed many peoples sicknesses. Likewise, in the early days of the church, the believers made sure that no one went hungry, and that all needs were met. God also is concerned about our soul, meaning our emotions and feelings. Our emotions are part of our humanity. We have been given the feelings of anger, happiness, sadness, for a reason. They help us to understand the things that happen to us and around us. But our soul must also be redeemed by Gods love when we immerse ourselves in the practices of Bible study and prayer, we find our emotions and feelings being changed into the likeness of Christ. We find that God uses our emotions to prompt us to do good works for others. A flash of anger at the injustices around us will prompt us to work for justice; a bit of sympathy will arouse compassion within us to do works of mercy. This is the whole gospel. United Methodists do not divide their lives in separate compartments Christ is the Lord of our entire lives body, soul and spirit. Read James 2:14-26. What does this passage mean?__________ ___________________________________________________ III. A CHURCH WITH A BIG HEART The history of Methodism is full of examples of faith at work. For example, wherever there is suffering in the world, Methodists have been quick to respond in the name of Christ. For example, the United Methodist Committee on Relief reacts to global natural disasters and tragedies by collecting and distributing money, sending and mobilizing volunteers, and helping to rebuild institutions. United Methodists also believe in the importance of education as a tool for seeking to understand faith. Wherever Methodists have been at work in the world, they have built schools and colleges. Today there are 123 colleges, universities and seminaries affiliated with the United Methodist Church around the world, as
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songwriter; he turned his joy of salvation into a lifelong work of writing hymns. In his life, Charles Wesley wrote over 6,000 hymns, many of which are still used in United Methodist Churches around the world. On the one-year anniversary of his conversion, Charles wrote the well-known song, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, to commemorate the joy of his experience. Read these lyrics carefully, and then discuss what they mean to you: O for a thousand tongues to sing,
my great Redeemers praise,
The glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace.
On this glad day the glorious
Sun of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul he shone
and filled it with repose.
Sudden expired the legal strife,
twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.
I felt my Lords atoning blood
close to my soul applied;
Me, me he loved, the Son of God,
for me, for me he died!
The Methodists have often been known as the singing Methodists because of their enthusiastic singing of hymns, praises, and choruses. A variety of music styles can be encountered in United Methodist Churches around the world from classical works by Bach and Beethoven, to American folk songs, to praise choruses from South Africa, Korea, and India. This interest in music is a sign that United Methodists are a joyful people because they have the assurance of salvation deep within their souls. Write here your own song or prayer of praise to God:___________ _____________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ DAY TWO: The first step in becoming a Christian is acknowledging your sins, asking for forgiveness, and repenting; but it is also a step that we must make over and over again, throughout our lives. Psalm 51 is the prayer of confession that King David prayed once long ago. Read this psalm; then read it again slowly aloud, as a prayer. DAY THREE: When you make a decision to accept Gods grace, you receive what Jesus called new birth. Read John 3:1-21. In this passage, what must you do in order to be born again?_____ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ DAY FOUR: When you receive Gods grace, there will be a difference between your life before and your life after. Read Ephesians 2:1-10 and then write here the ways our life should be different after our new birth. _________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ DAY FIVE: Read Romans 5:1-11. Make a list of the things that this passage tells us we receive when we put our faith in Jesus Christ: ______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

that needed it most. But it was hard work, as most of the streets were filled with melting snow, which often lay ankle deep: so that my feet were steeped in snow water nearly from morning till evening. John liked to say that his understanding of Jesus love was to Do good, in all the ways you can to all the people you can, and in every place that you can! Read Matthew 25:31-46. In your situation, who are the least of these? _____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ In what ways can you help those in need closest to you?_______ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ II. THE WHOLE GOSPEL A common misconception about Christianity is that it is a religion that is only concerned with ones after-life. Some churches give the impression that the only reason one should become a Christian is to avoid the fires of hell after one dies. This leads to the conclusion that the way one lives in this life is unimportant. But John believed that faith in Christ not only assured one of eternal life after death; it also enriched ones life on earth. Life is a gift from God, who created all forms of life, the earth and the planets the whole universe! God meant for us to live with purpose, meaning, and prosperity. Jesus himself said, I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly! To be a Christian means to give all of ones life body, soul, and spirit to God, and to let God be a part of ones whole life. God doesnt care only about our spirit, or our religious life. God cares about our body, what we will eat and whether or not we are healthy. The apostle Paul said clearly that we have a
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LESSON EIGHT
A UNITED METHODIST PUTS FAITH TO WORK

DAY ONE: Pray the Opening Prayer, then read the lesson and do the exercises at the end of each section. Opening Prayer: Lord, let me show my faith in the deeds I do. Give me a task to perform with joy. Amen. I. DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN One of the most distinctive characteristics of Johns life was his interest in doing good works. We have already seen that John learned that good works are the result of a saving faith in Gods grace, not the cause of salvation. But a holy person will always be involved with showing his faith in acts of real kindness and mercy. From the beginning of his ministry, John took the words of Jesus seriously: When you did it to the least of these, you did it to me. Even in his college days, John sought out opportunities to minister to those whom society considered the least. He and his friends made regular trips to minister to prisoners, feed and clothe orphans and widows, and visit the elderly. Later, John raised enough money to buy a building in the middle of London that had previously been used to make cannons. John turned this old foundry into the center of Methodist activity in the country. Part of the building was used to hold worship services every morning of the week. But the rest of the property housed a soup kitchen, a pharmacy, school rooms for children, and a printing press. Even as he grew older, John was driven by his concern to help the poor. As an 82 year old man, John wrote the following in his journal: So on this, and the four following days, I walked through the town, and begged two hundred pounds, in order to clothe them
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DAY SIX: Romans 8:28-39 is a passage of comfort and assurance. Read it, then write down those things that worry you and make you afraid. Now read the passage once more as a prayer. Memorize this part of the passage, and repeat it throughout the day to yourself: Nothing will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

DAY SEVEN: Read Acts 26:4-18, in which Paul tells the story of how he became a follower of Christ. Write here the story of how you became a Christian: _______________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

LESSON TWO
A UNITED METHODIST CHRISTIAN IS HOLY

DAY ONE: Pray the Opening Prayer, then read the lesson and do the exercises at the end of each section. Opening Prayer: Lord, give me the desire to be holy. Help me to want to be like Jesus in all I do and say. Amen. I. THE HOLY CLUB Long before John Wesley had his experience on Aldersgate Street, he was interested in living a Godly life. While attending classes at Oxford University, John and a few of his friends began their own Bible study group. They met regularly three times a week to study the Bible and pray, went to church every Sunday morning, and began a program of visiting the sick, imprisoned, and poor. These young men were so zealous in their pursuit of holy living, that some of their classmates and friends began to mock them. They called them The Holy Club, Bible Moths, and Methodists. The name Methodist stuck; even though it was first meant as an insult, it became a badge of honor, a symbol of the way that John and his friends rigorously pursued a life of holiness. After his assurance of salvation, John became even more serious about how he spent his time. He began to preach to large crowds across the English countryside, urging them to be saved from their sins, and to devote their lives to doing Gods will. Everywhere he preached, John started small groups of people who would meet during the week for Bible study and prayer. He called these small groups classes, which were then organized into larger units called societies. In a book he wrote for his societies, John stated that each society had three basic rules: It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation; first: by doing no harm, and avoiding evil of every kind, second: by doing good of every possible sort, and as far as possible, to all; and thirdly: by attending upon all the ordinances of God (this means specific things that Jesus commanded us to do in Scripture, including celebrating communion and being baptized). Later, John would say that his mission as a preacher was
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DAY FOUR: Read Ephesians 2:19-22. In this passage, what is the church compared to and why? ___________________________ ___________________________________________________

DAY FIVE: Read James 2:1-13. Have you ever seen favoritism at work in your church? What can you do personally to keep it from happening in your church? ______________________________ ___________________________________________________

DAY SIX: In Acts 6:1-7, we see the early church making an administrative decision. Read the passage. How did the church go about choosing seven leaders? ___________________________ ___________________________________________________

DAY SEVEN: Read about the church in Antioch, in Acts 11:1930. In what way would you like your church to be like the Antioch church? _____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

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Gods love by becoming involved in works of mercy and compassion, including feeding the poor and building hospitals. Charles agreed with his brother, John, on the importance of church life, but he knew that members of a church needed unity in order to accomplish its goals. He wrote a hymn called Jesus, United By Thy Grace, which is a prayer for unity and fellowship in the church: Jesus, united by thy grace and each to each endeared,
With confidence we seek thy face and know our prayer is heard.
Help us to help each other, Lord, each others cross to bear;
Let all their friendly aid afford, and feel each others care.
Touched by the lodestone of thy love, let all our hearts agree,
And ever toward each other move, and ever move toward thee.
To thee, inseparably joined, let all our spirits cleave;
O may we all the loving mind that was in thee receive.
How well does your church accomplish the three purposes listed above? ______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

to spread scriptural holiness across the land. Write one example of each of Johns rules for the societies: 1) Do no harm and avoid evil of every kind

2) Do good of every possible sort and to all

3) Attend upon all the ordinances of God

DAY TWO: Read John 14:15-31. What does Jesus promise will be given to the disciples after he leaves? What will this do for the disciples? ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ DAY THREE: In I Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul compares the church to the human body. Read the passage. Think about your church and your involvement in it. Make a commitment to support your church and pray about it. ___________________________ ___________________________________________________

II. THE NEW LIFE Once you have experienced the joy of salvation, it is tempting to rest in the peace and happiness of knowing that you have eternal life with God. However, this is only the beginning of a brand new way of living. When Jesus walked the earth, he didnt simply save people from their sins, he also invited them to follow him. Notice that when he met people, he invited them to come follow him. When he met four fishermen near the Sea of Galilee, he said, Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men! When he met Matthew, the tax collector, he said, Come with me. Today, Jesus still challenges men and women to follow him. He is still looking for new disciples, who will walk the earth with the good news of Gods love, peace, and joy. This is another way of saying that we are invited to be holy. To be holy means to be like Jesus in every way. John discovered that, after receiving Gods pardoning and forgiving grace, he then received Gods sanctifying grace. This means that God is the one who gradually purifies us, and helps us to live a new life in the manner of Jesus Christ. Once you become a Christian and you know that your sins are forgiven and God loves you, you are now ready for your real life the one God created for you to live to begin!
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What does a holy life look like? Read Colossians 3:1-17, and make a list of the qualities of a Christ-like person:____________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ III. GOING ON TO PERFECTION John was so convinced of the power of God to change lives that he began to preach that we should strive to become perfect in love! Challenged by Jesus words in Matthew, You must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect, John took seriously the call to holiness. Yet he knew that only Gods grace working in and through him, not his own best efforts, would eventually create a new spirit within him. Today, in the United Methodist Church, when pastors are ordained, they are asked the same questions that John asked his preachers when they were sent out to preach. One of those questions is, Are you going on to perfection? All of us are supposed to answer that question, Yes! Charles wrote a stirring hymn about being sanctified, called O Come and Dwell in Me. Note that Charles also recognizes that the power to live a holy life comes from the Spirit of God, not from his own power. O come and dwell in me, Spirit of power within,
And bring the glorious liberty from sorrow, fear, and sin.
Hasten the joyful day which shall my sins consume, When old things shall be done away, and all things new become. I want the witness, Lord, that all I do is right,
According to thy mind and word, well-pleasing in thy sight.
What are you doing in your life now in order to go on toward perfection in love? ______________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

community. No longer were they divided by nationality or ethnic group; they had been made one in Jesus Christ. Acts 2:43-47 tells us what this community was like. They met daily to eat together, study Scripture, and pray. As a result, many miracles were done, and many more people came to believe in Jesus. Read Acts 2:43-47 and Acts 4:32-35. Make a list of the characteristics of the early church: ______________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ How can your church look more like the church in Acts? _____ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

III. THREE PURPOSES FOR THE CHURCH The United Methodist Church defines church in this way: It is a community of true believers under the Lordship of Christ. It is the redemptive fellowship in which the Word of God is preached by persons divinely called and the sacraments are duly administered according to Christs own appointment. Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit, the church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world. More simply put, the church has three main purposes. First, the church worships. Once a week, believers are called together to thank, adore, and praise God. This is a duty that the church must never forsake. Our first task is to worship God. Second, the church builds up believers. This means that, in its various ministries, the church helps its members to grow in spiritual maturity through prayer, Bible study, and other teaching situations. As a member of a church, you are supposed to learn how to become a better Christian. Third, the church works to take the news of Gods love to the whole world. To do this, the church may do different sorts of evangelism, including revival services and knocking on peoples doors to share their faith. The church may also communicate
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made holy, who assemble together to worship God in a particular place. They do not have to meet in a particular kind of building, or use a prescribed book of worship. Rather, where two or three people are gathered in the name of the Lord, the Lord is present. But secondly, the church universal are all those people around the world who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. They are one body, united by one Spirit, having one faith, one hope, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in them all. John never claimed to believe that Methodists were the only ones to be saved, the only ones going to heaven. He knew that he could find sincere Christians in every kind of church. How do you answer the question, What is a church? ________

DAY TWO: One of the most powerful passages in the Bible about living a holy life is found in Romans 6:1-14. Read it and answer this question: How is it possible that you and I can live holy lives? __________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

DAY THREE: Read Matthew 6:19-24. What does it mean to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (verse 33)? How does your life need to change to seek Gods kingdom? _______ __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ II. GOD CREATED THE CHURCH United Methodists believe that you cannot be a Christian all by yourself. It takes a community of people to form you in faith. You must surround yourself with other believers, so that you may be in fellowship together, and grow in Christian discipleship. But a church is also not just any group of people. It is not a social club, nor is it simply a gathering of friends. A church is the body of Christ, made visible in the world. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples that he would send a Teacher and Advocate to them, the Holy Spirit, who would accompany them as they following his teachings. He told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Spirit to come. Acts 2 records what happened when the Spirit fell upon them as they waited in an upper room. This is the beginning of the church. When the Spirit fell, two things immediately happened to the believers. First, they were enabled to communicate the good news about Jesus in many languages. The church is the basic form of communication to the world about what Jesus Christ has done. The mission of the church is to communicate this information to the world, in many languages, in many forms, and in many places. Second, the believers were formed into a new kind of
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DAY FOUR: According to Romans 8:1-11, there are two natures that war within us. Make a list of the qualities of the sinful nature, and the Spirit-led nature. ______________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

DAY FIVE: Ephesians 4:17-32 contains practical advice about the way a holy person should live. What are some of the things that are suggested here that you can put into practice? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________
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DAY SIX: Ephesians 6:10-18 gives the example of the Christian as someone who is outfitted with Gods armor. Make a list of each piece of the armor, and what it represents. ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

LESSON SEVEN
A UNITED METHODIST ... BELONGS TO A
COMMUNITY OF FAITH!

DAY ONE: Pray the Opening Prayer, then read the lesson and do the exercises at the end of each section. Opening Prayer: Lord, help me to understand that I need the fellowship of other believers. Draw me closer to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen. I. THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING Even though John is considered the founder of the United Methodist Church, it is important to remember that, throughout his lifetime, he remained a priest of the Church of England. He never intended to start a separate church. He simply hoped that the Methodist movement would spark a reformation and renewal of the Church of England. It was only after his death that his followers formally separated from the national church, and began holding Sunday morning worship services in Methodist buildings. John had a very strong belief in the centrality of the church. He encouraged every Christian to be baptized by water, attend a local worship service every Sunday, and celebrate Holy Communion regularly. He knew that these were practices that could only be done in the company of other Christians. When asked, What is a church? John usually gave two answers. First, a church is a group of persons, who want to be
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DAY SEVEN: Read James 3:1-18. One of the first things that must be made holy is our tongue! How does your tongue and your talk need to be made holy in Gods sight? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

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DAY THREE: Read I John 4:7-21. What does this passage say about the person who claims to love God but hates his brother? _ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

LESSON THREE A UNITED METHODIST CHRISTIAN IS PRAYERFUL!

DAY ONE: Pray the Opening Prayer, then read the lesson and do the exercises at the end of each section. Opening Prayer: Lord, open my lips and I will speak to you in honesty. Teach me how to pray. Amen. I. EARLY RISER The more John preached, the more people came to know Christ. And the more they desired to lead a holy life. John kept starting societies and classes, where people could grow spiritually. This made John a very busy man. He traveled the countryside by horseback, preaching, teaching and organizing societies. But John knew that his strength came not from his own genius or activity; he had a secret source of spiritual power. Every morning, John woke up at 4:00 am for prayer. He spent a solid hour of quiet reflection and meditation in the presence of God before he did anything else! On many mornings, John would lead a 5:00 am worship service for miners who were on their way to work. Other days, John would saddle his horse and ride to the next town. While he rode, he continued to pray, to read books, and even write! John made an important discovery about his walk with God staying close to God requires a daily, regular commitment to pray. What is your prayer life like? Do you pray daily? How long? __________________________________________________

DAY FOUR: Read Matthew 5:38-48. This is a difficult teaching from the mouth of Jesus. What do you think it would be like to put this into practice in your life? ____________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

DAY FIVE: Read Luke 6:27-36. How do you normally react to someone who is an enemy? Imagine acting in love instead; what do you think would happen? _____________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

DAY SIX: Jesus taught much about forgiveness. Read one story he told in Matthew 18:21-35. Can you think of anyone who has personally offended you? Ask Christ to help you forgive that person.

DAY SEVEN: There is often conflict in church. How does Paul say that we should deal with conflict in II Corinthians 2:5-11? __ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

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Are you satisfied with your prayer life? What can you do to improve it? ___________________________________________________ II. HOW TO PRAY Prayer is simply communication with God. It is the primary means by which our relationship with Him grows and matures. The first disciples asked Jesus, How do we pray? Jesus answer is just as much for us as it was for his twelve disciples. When we look closely at the Lords Prayer, we see a model for prayer: Our Father in heaven When a person becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, he or she becomes a son or daughter of God. Jesus said that we can actually call God, Our Father, a term of intimacy and closeness. No longer do we fear God as a Judge or Punisher; we have a relationship with the Creator! Hallowed be your name Prayer first involves praise, adoration. We recognize God for who he is, and what he has done. Prayer always properly begins with praise. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven When we pray, we recognize that we want to act in accordance with Gods will. Jesus modeled this in the garden when he prayed, My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want. Give us today our daily bread This part of the prayer means that we can ask God to provide for our basic needs, like food, safety, and health. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us Every prayer also involves confession of sins. It is good to actually name ones sins, and ask for the power not to repeat them. This part of the prayer also reminds us that we must forgive others. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil God never tempts us to do evil, but he allows us to undergo testing in order to prove our faith, and to develop endurance. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever All prayer ends with a recognition that all we do is for Gods glory, not our own. Amen The word amen means simply, So be it, or, I agree with this.
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Frenchmen. By this act, John signaled his love of the enemy. Our world is torn by many divisions, wars, and conflicts. People carry grudges toward each other that last for generations. Gods great hope is that all people will one day be reconciled. He sent his Son in order to show the way forward to a new future. Charles Wesley wrote a hymn celebrating this promised future. He anticipates a time when every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord. All praise to our redeeming Lord, who joins us by his grace,
And bids us, each to each restored, together seek his face.
He bids us build each other up; and, gathered into one,
To our high callings glorious hope we hand in hand go on.
We all partake the joy of one, the common peace we feel,
A peace to sensual minds unknown, a joy unspeakable.
And if our fellowship below in Jesus be so sweet,
What heights of rapture shall we know when round his throne we
meet!
United Methodists today also work and pray to make this future come true. United Methodists are involved at many levels of peacemaking and conflict resolution. For example, at the beginning of the twentieth century, Methodist support helped launch the formation of the United Nations. Can you think of anyone with whom you are presently at odds? What can you do to help the two of you to become reconciled? _ __________________________________________________

DAY TWO: Jesus told us to love one another. What is love anyway? Read I Corinthians 13:1-13, and answer in your own words: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
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Jesus knew that we would face enemies in this life. Not everyone is kind, friendly, or compassionate. There will always be mean-spirited, unkind people in the world. But Christians do not only love their friends; they are commanded to love even their enemies, and to pray for them, and to show kindness to them. For Christians know that, no matter how depraved or evil a human being may act, he is still loved by God. The appropriate Christian response to an enemys threat or attack is love. In the same sermon on the mountain, Jesus said, You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also. By saying this, Jesus made it clear that love would ultimately triumph over any evil, no matter how great. Jesus went on to demonstrate this principle by willingly going to the cross, accepting torture and crucifixion, and finally giving his life. From the cross, one of Jesus last sayings was, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Read Luke 10:25-37. According to this story, what is a neighbor?__________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

Write your own prayer in the space provided, based on the model of Jesus prayer: Our Father in heaven _________________________________ __________________________________________________ Hallowed be your name _______________________________ __________________________________________________ Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven __ __________________________________________________ Give us today our daily bread ___________________________ __________________________________________________ Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us ____ __________________________________________________ Save us from the time of trail, and deliver us from evil________

In Jesus time, Jews and Samaritans were hated rivals. Are there any groups of people or nations which your country today would call enemies? _______________________________________ ___________________________________________________ III. EACH TO EACH RESTORED The English and the French were enemies in John Wesleys time. But John writes in his journal of a time in which he visited a prison where eleven hundred French prisoners were being held. John wrote that they were confined in a small place without any thing to lie on but a little dirty straw, or anything to cover them but a few foul rags, either by day or night, so that they died like rotten sheep. I was much affected, and preached in the evening on, Thou shalt not oppress a stranger; for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Immediately, John began collecting money to purchase linen and wool, which were made into shirts, pants, and stockings for the
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__________________________________________________ For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever __________________________________________________ Amen.

III. THE PRAYING CHURCH Prayer is not only something that is done individually, or in ones own home. Prayer is an important part of a churchs life and witness. A church which prays together has great power. Prayer helps create a community of people who seek Gods will, are open to Gods leading, and are concerned about the welfare of neighbors and community.
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United Methodist Churches throughout the world often set aside special time for prayer. For example, one popular tradition is to have a Watchnight Service on New Years Eve. Other churches have an hour of prayer one night of every week, to pray for the evangelism of their village. Charles Wesley was sensitive to the power and necessity of prayer. In his hymn, Give Me the Faith Which Can Remove, he asked God for the grace to be faithful in prayer: Give me the faith which can remove
and sink the mountain to a plain;
Give me the childlike praying love,
which longs to build thy house again;
Thy love, let it my heart oerpower,
and all my simple soul devour.
I would the precious time redeem,
and longer live for this alone,
To spend and to be spent for them
who have not yet my Savior known;
Fully on these my mission prove, and only breathe,
to breathe thy love.
My talents, gifts, and graces, Lord,
into they blessed hands receive;
And let me live to preach thy word,
and let me to thy glory live;
My every sacred moment spend
in publishing the sinners Friend.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

Write here your personal commitment to prayer: _____________ ___________________________________________________

DAY TWO: Read James 5:13-20. This passage tells us that we should pray for those who are in trouble and those who are sick. Do you know anyone who fits that description? Write their names here and pray for them: _________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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II. BUT I SAY TO YOU When asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus responded, There are only two Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind And love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-31). Gods love is the heart of the gospel. In fact, I John 4:7-8 tells us, Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. Because of Gods love for humanity, he sent his Son into the world to face persecution and death. Because of Gods love for us, he sent the Holy Spirit to fill us and change us. Because God loved us before we had ever been born, we are forgiven and set free. Now, because we are loved with such a great love, we are commanded to love others. We are called to love our neighbors. Jesus went to great lengths to show that neighbors include anybody whom we might meet or encounter. Jesus spent a lot of time teaching on this subject, because love was at the core of his message and mission. One time, while preaching on a mountaintop, Jesus made a challenging statement. He said, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matt. 5:4448)
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LESSON SIX
THE UNITED METHODIST CHRISTIAN
LOVES NEIGHBORS -- AND ENEMIES!

DAY ONE: Pray the Opening Prayer, then read the lesson and do the exercises at the end of each section. Opening Prayer: Lord, teach me how to love. It is hard sometimes to love all the people in my life. Amen. I. A SOFT ANSWER TURNS AWAY WRATH As mentioned in the last chapter, John and the early Methodists received much opposition. Often, John had rocks or eggs thrown at his head while preaching, or a herd of cows were driven through the midst of his outdoor gathering. Sometimes young men would come to Johns preaching services and heckle him, to attempt to discredit him. Once, after preaching to a small congregation, John was attacked by a mob in the house where he was staying. They pulled him from the building and dragged him to the nearest judge. When the judge refused to see them, John was in danger of being beaten by the mob. He asked his persecutors, Are you willing to hear me speak? They cried out, No, no! Lets knock his brains out! Lets kill him! Cooler heads prevailed, and John began preaching. After fifteen minutes, his voice gave out, and the mob began to grow angry. Suddenly, his voice returned and he broke out in prayer. He prayed with a heart of love for the souls of all those who had attacked him. The leader of the mob heard him praying and said, Sir, I will spend my life for you; follow me and not one soul here shall touch a hair of your head. And he led John to safety. Later, this man became a member of the Methodist society in his village. Johns brother, Charles, said that, after this incident, when asked what he thought of John, his answer was, That he is a man of God, and God was on his side when so many of us could not kill one man! This is only one of the many times that John faced an unruly crowd, spoke in love and with a peaceful voice, and calmed those around him. What would you have done if you had been in Johns shoes?
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DAY THREE: Read I Timothy 2:1-8. This passage tells us to pray for those who are in authority and in positions of leadership. Write the names of national, provincial, and church leaders here and pray for them: ___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

DAY FOUR: In II Thessalonians 1:3-12 and 3:1-5, the apostle Paul tells us how he is praying for the church in Thessalonica. Make a list of the things he prays for, then pray for your church in the same way: _______________________________________ __________________________________________________

DAY FIVE: Paul prays for the church in Colosse in Colossians 1:3-14. Again list the things he prays, and pray them for your own church:_____________________________________________ __________________________________________________ DAY SIX: In Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus tells us how to pray. But he also tells us how not to pray. Make a list of the things that Jesus says to avoid when we pray: ____________________________ __________________________________________________

DAY SEVEN: Shortly before Jesus was arrested, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray with his disciples. Read what happened in Matthew 26:36-46. What kind of obstacles do you face in your commitment to pray? Ask God to help you overcome these obstacles. _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
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LESSON FOUR THE UNITED METHODIST CHRISTIAN IS BIBLICAL!

DAY ONE: Pray the Opening Prayer, then read the lesson and do the exercises at the end of each section. Opening Prayer: Lord, open the eyes of my heart to read your Word and see the mystery of eternal life hidden in the ancient words of Scripture. Teach me how to read the Bible. Amen. I. THE BIBLE BIGOT Even as Johns popularity as a preacher grew, there arose opposition. Some even began to accuse him of being a heretic, or someone who spread false doctrine. John defended every charge against him by appealing to one thing the Bible. In his journal, John wrote: My ground is the Bible. Yea, I am a Bible-bigot. I follow it in all things, both great and small. In the introduction to his published sermons, he wrote, I want to know one thing the way to heaven, how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it; here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be a man of one book. This didnt mean, of course, that John didnt read any other books. In fact, he was widely-read, and was the author of many books himself. But he made it clear that the Bible was the primary book for the Christian. John suggested the following tips for reading the Bible: 1) set apart a little time every morning and evening for reading the Bible 2) at each time, read one chapter out of the Old Testament and one from the New Testament 3) Read in order to discover what the will of God is, and resolve to do it 4) Pray before and after reading 5) After reading, always ask, What does this chapter say to me and how I live? Part of Johns growth as a Christian was regular reading of the Bible. How often do you read the Bible? _____________________ ___________________________________________________
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DAY FIVE: Read Acts 2:37-41. This is the first sermon preached after Jesus ascended into heaven. When Peter was finished, the people said, What do we do now? Write here what Peters response was: ___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Write here how many people believed in Jesus on that day: _____ __________________________________________________

DAY SIX: In Acts 8:26-40, Philip shares the gospel with an Ethiopian. Read the story and write down Philips strategy for sharing the good news of Jesus:________________________________ __________________________________________________

DAY SEVEN: Read how Jesus called his disciples to follow him in Mark 1:14-20. What do you think Jesus meant when he said, I will make you fishers of men? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

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My message as from God receive; ye all may come to Christ and live. O let his love your hearts constrain, nor suffer him to die in vain. This is the time, no more delay! This is the Lords accepted day. Come, thou, this moment, at his call, and live for him who died for all. In what ways do you see your church being open to other people? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ What new things can your church do to invite people to come to Christ?______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

DAY TWO: In Luke 15:1-10, Jesus tells two stories about things that have been lost. Read the stories. Why is God so concerned about what is lost? ____________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ DAY THREE: Read Revelation 3:19-22. Notice that Jesus doesnt wait for people to come to him; he is actively seeking and searching for those who are lost and suffering! Pray that God will give you the same heart as Jesus.

DAY FOUR: Jesus tells a story about a great banquet in Luke 14:15-24. Read the story. Why did so many people turn down the invitation to the feast? How did God respond?_______________ ___________________________________________________

II. SCRIPTURE IS PRIMARY Like other Protestant Christians, United Methodists believe that the most important source of information about God is found in the Bible. We believe that God has chosen to reveal himself in these writings. The Bible is made up of 66 books, written over a long period of time, by different authors. But it tells a single, continuous story the story of Gods love for the world. Throughout the Old and New Testament, God is at work trying to bring broken and sinful human beings into relationship with himself. In the Old Testament, God established a covenant with the Israelites through the family of Abraham. God spoke to his people through kings and prophets, with varying degrees of success. In the New Testament, God actually enters into human experience through Jesus Christ. The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) tell the story of his birth, life, death, and resurrection. The book of Acts records the story of the birth of the church, as it was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to spread the good news of Jesus across the world, to Gentiles and Jews. The rest of the New Testament contains letters written by the earliest followers of Christ. United Methodists believe that everything we need to know about salvation and God is contained in these writings; we do not need extra books, dreams and visions, or persons of authority to tell us what to believe. According to our Articles of Faith, Scripture reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation, and it is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Likewise, anything that is not found in Scripture is not to be made a rule for faith or living. This is what John meant when he said he was a man of one book: he meant that Scripture was the first, and most important, source of information about what to believe and how to live.
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Read II Timothy 3:14 4:5. What does this passage say the use and value of Scripture is? _______________________________ ___________________________________________________

III. READING WITH EYES OF FAITH Because we are a people of one book, United Methodist churches always feature several Scripture readings. There is always an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a selection from the New Testament letters, and a reading from one of the four Gospels. You are invited to bring your own Bibles to church to read along with the reader, and to listen carefully for God to speak to you as the Word is being read. There are different translations of the Bible available. Make sure you choose a translation that is easy for you to read and understand. Charles wrote several hymns about the importance of Scripture. One of these is a prayer that the Holy Spirit might open his eyes as he reads: Come, divine Interpreter, bring us eyes thy book to read,
Ears the mystic words to hear,
words which did from thee proceed,
Words that endless bliss impart, kept in an obedient heart.
All who read, or hear, are blessed,
if thy plain commands we do,
Of thy kingdom here possessed,
Thee we shall in glory view
When thou comest on earth to abide,
reign triumphant at thy side.
John read widely and wrote a lot of books. He also started a publishing house to spread as much Christian literature as he could. He wrote a book of worship that was used to start the Methodist movement in the United States, and published many hymnals. Write down your commitment to reading the Scriptures on a daily basis: _______________________________________________
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III. OPEN DOORS The official mission of the United Methodist Church is: To make disciples of Jesus Christ. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. Because of this, Methodists try to reach as many people as possible. In the early days of American history, Methodist preachers traveled thousands of miles by horseback to reach the outer frontier posts, and preach to the newly-arrived settlers. Often, a preacher would be assigned to cover several small churches in a large area, called a circuit. He would preach in one church on one Sunday, then ride for days to the next settlement, where he would preach the next Sunday. These preachers were known as circuit-riders. They exemplified the Methodist commitment to taking the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Every local church has the same mission. There are many ways that a church can be open to its surrounding village, town, and city. For example, members can invite their friends, family members, and neighbors to attend church with them. Special services and revival services can be arranged to share the gospel with people who are not yet believers. Local churches can also help meet the physical and material needs in their area, thereby demonstrating the love of Christ to their neighbors. Charles had the same vision for reaching people for Christ as his brother. He wrote Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast, as an invitational hymn. It is particularly meaningful when sung at the conclusion of a sermon: Come, sinners, to the gospel feast,
let every soul be Jesus guest.
Ye need not one be left behind,
for God hath bid all humankind.
Sent by my Lord, on you I call,
the invitation is to all.
Come all the world! Come, sinner, thou!
All things in Christ are ready now.
Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed,
ye restless wanderers after rest;
Ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind,
in Christ a hearty welcome find.

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II. INVITATIONAL CHRISTIANITY John was someone who came to believe that the Gospel is an offer, extended by God, to all people. No one is excluded from the call to believe in Jesus. Because of this, John took great pains to make sure that everyone heard the message. It didnt matter whether someone was rich or poor, black or white, male or female. The call of God comes to every person, in every station of life. Challenged by the words of the apostle Paul, who said There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Jesus Christ, John opened doors for all sorts of people to enter into ministry. He pioneered the use of lay preachers, for example. He decided that spreading the gospel was more important than getting ordination credentials; he sent hundreds of preachers out in his lifetime, who converted thousands of people to Christ. John also allowed women to preach, a controversial decision in his time. The United Methodist Church today also ordains women; women serve in all levels of church leadership, including as bishop! Most importantly, John stood in opposition to the doctrine of predestination, a belief held by many people in England in his time. Predestination holds that God has foreordained who will be saved; humans do not ultimately have a free will to choose or reject God. It has already been determined who will be saved and who will not. John and the Methodists believed that every human being had a free will to decide for or against God. In particular, John believed that God actively pursued every person, that God willed nobody to destruction, but worked through his Spirit so that all people would come to salvation in Jesus Christ. Methodists ever since have been a people who are enthusiastic about inviting others into relationship with Christ. They have been unafraid to go to faraway places to make the good news heard. The General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church is one group within the Methodist family specifically charged with the task of sending missionaries into the world. Currently, the United Methodist Church has over 700 missionaries in service on every continent and in 66 countries. Read Galatians 3:23-29. What does this passage mean to you? __ ___________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________

DAY TWO: Both John and Luke tell their readers why they wrote their gospels. Read Luke 1:1-4, John 20:30-31 and 21:24-25 and record here the reasons they state for writing down the story of Jesus: _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________

DAY THREE: The end of I John also records the authors intentions for writing. Read I John 5:13-21, and make a list of the reasons why he has written his book:________________________ __________________________________________________ DAY FOUR: The first five books of the Old Testament are sometimes referred to as the Law. Read Psalm 1 and write down what it says about the importance of reading the Law: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ DAY FIVE: All of Psalm 119 is a song in praise of the Scripture that God has given to the Israelites. Read verses 97-112. Make a list of all the benefits of reading and keeping the Law: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

DAY SIX: Read II Peter 1:12-21. What does this passage say about the importance of Scripture? _______________________ __________________________________________________

DAY SEVEN: The apostle Paul wrote several letters to his young
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assistant, Timothy. Read a passage from one of these letters, II

Timothy 2:1-19. How would a solid knowledge of Scripture help Timothy in his position as leader of the church? _____ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

LESSON FIVE
THE UNITED METHODIST CHRISTIAN INVITES!

DAY ONE: Pray the Opening Prayer, then read the lesson and do the exercises at the end of each section. Opening Prayer: Lord, open my heart to have an all-embracing concern and compassion for all people. Amen. I. THE WORLD IS MY PARISH While a teacher in London, John received a message from his friend, the evangelist George Whitefield. George had been preaching in the village of Bristol with astounding success. He told John that the crowds were huge, and that he needed help. So John went to Bristol, though he was skeptical about what he would find. He had heard that George liked to preach in the open air, in fields. John thought this was strange; he wrote in his journal that he thought that preaching should only be properly done inside a church building! When John arrived, he found that thousands of people gathered to hear George preach, and hundreds were receiving the assurance of salvation. He was astounded! He agreed to preach, and found that he had the same results! As many as 6,000 people gathered to hear him in the open fields. Many of the people who came to listen to the Word of God were people who were not normally admitted into the Church of England many were poor, illiterate, and unemployed. Others were coal miners, considered the lowest class of English society. John began to take the Gospel to the people, where they lived and worked, instead of waiting for the people to come into a church building. Many people began to believe in the power of Jesus Christ as a result. This did not make everybody happy. Some priests in the Church of England began to complain that John was stealing their church members. One bishop asked John to leave his area since it was the bishops own parish, but John replied, The world is my parish! What do you think John meant when he said, The world is my parish!? ___________________________________________ __________________________________________________

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