Weekly Grind - Methodist Small Groups From the Very Beginning

In the last few weeks, I've been writing about what is behind John Wesley's Three Simple Rules as phrased by Reuben Job, "Do No Harm, Do Good, Stay in Love With God." What John and his brother Charles had started was a growing group of people who were very actively and very personally working on their faith, individually and collectively. Here is some of the earliest components of how they organized themselves and what they did:


This was the rise of the United Society, first in Europe, and then in America. Such a society is no other than "a company of men having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation."
That it may the more easily be discerned whether they are indeed working out their own salvation, each society is divided into smaller companies, called classes, according to their respective places of abode. There are about twelve persons in a class, one of whom is styled the leader. It is his duty:

1.. To see each person in his class once a week at least, in order: (1) to inquire how their souls prosper; (2) to advise, reprove, comfort or exhort, as occasion may require; (3) to receive what they are willing to give toward the relief of the preachers, church, and poor.
2.. To meet the ministers and the stewards of the society once a week, in order: (1) to inform the minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly and will not be reproved; (2) to pay the stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week preceding.


There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies: "a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." But wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will be shown by its fruits.


What they were defining were small groups. Small groups can be a place where some very serious steps of faith can take place. They can be a place of deeper relationships. They can be a place for care and concern. They may be a place where we can bring forth struggles and joys. It could be your Sunday School class, a bible study group, a Journey Group, a prayer group, an Emmaus 4th day group, any group that truly deepens your personal walk of faith. Here's my simple version of what they were talking about:

Because you desire to follow God's will for you life,
Find a group of people that are committed to each other,
Keep up with each other each week,
Share your faith with each other,
Pray for each other,
Share scripture with each other,
Hold each other accountable to a life of faith,
Keep your group's needs in touch with the rest of the church.

We have lots of ways to do this at Woodway FUMC, and we can start more for whatever your particular need made be. If you have a need to connect, or have a desire to connect with others; talk to someone about it. We have many leaders here who will help you find or create it.

Be Blessed!
Michael