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Words from John Wesley
Suffer not one thought of separating from your brethren, whether their opinions agree with yours or not. Do not dream that any man sins in not believing you, in not taking your word; or that this or that opinion is essential to the work, and both must stand or fall together. Beware of impatience, of contradiction. Do not condemn or think hardly of those who cannot see just as you see, or who judge it their duty to contradict you, whether in a great thing or a small ... Oh, beware touchiness, or testiness, not bearing to be spoken to; starting at the least word; and flying from those who do not implicitly receive mine or another’s sayings!
From A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, 1766
Words from Scripture
“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8
Hymn
Let love be real, in giving and receiving, Singing the Faith 615
As we begin
To consider alone
- Where might you be struggling with impatience or touchiness with those who don’t agree with you? Take a moment to ask God for help to focus on what is true, honourable and just during this meeting.
To consider together
- Since this group last met, what has this church done that is true, honourable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable or worthy of praise?
As we continue
To consider alone
- Where might you be struggling to take Wesley’s advice to “Suffer not one thought of separating from your brethren, whether their opinions agree with yours or not”? What help do you need from God as this meeting progresses?
To consider together
- In all that has been discussed so far, what is “worthy of praise”? Share with a neighbour something that you are recognising as positive in this meeting.
As we finish
To consider alone
- What concerns or annoyances might you need to entrust to God, in order to leave this meeting at one with your brothers and sisters?
To consider together
- What true, honourable, just, pure, pleasing or commendable thought or action can you share with your church and community as a result of this meeting?