A Merthodist Way of Life

What opportunities to share your faith have there been since we last met?

This was the kind of questions issued at the regular class meetings in the early days of Methodism. Class meetings were small groups of 12-15 members of a Methodist society who met weekly with their class leader. The leader was a mature follower of Jesus Christ who the society leaders discerned could be trusted with the spiritual formation and care of fellow Methodists. They led the weekly class meetings and served as role models for their class, and the other society members. Class leaders were leaders in discipleship.

Maybe, this is something that needs both a revision and revival in our day and age.

The three pivotal words in the statement, “ What opportunities to share your faith have there been since we last met?” Are faith, opportunities and share.

 The first, faith needs to be focused and our focus is in God seen in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. So our faith has a basis and the one who forms that foundation is the God who said, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ). The strength our faith is not in the me or mine but in the one who stands foursquare with us.  The one who said, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

The other two words of opportunities and share are therefore natural extensions, for we go right back to Jesus first principles of discipleship - “follow me”  

Here is a prayer that may resonate with how you feel.

Lord, you terrify me with this command, “Go and teach all nations.” You were talking to eleven men, without education, money or influence, in a despised province of the Roman Empire. But they obeyed you, because they knew you were with them. And today Christians are the largest body of believers on this planet. Today’s preaching is different. We are educated, sometimes too well. It is harder than ever to make our voice heard. Help me to see you footprints leading me  into the lives of others and finding you there as I reflect the good news of your love and glory. Amen