An All-Church Conversation for 2019
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It's an annual tradition at First Church!
Each year, our church family is invited to join together in some year-long study and discussion. We've listed below the various things we've done during the past seven years. And now it's time to sign up for what we'll do together during the coming year. "The Methodist Pew" is our theme. We'll travel back to the 18th-century, where the first Methodists back in England sat under the leadership of John Wesley. He passed along to them what he understood to be the fundamental teachings of the Christian life, including a collection of sermons that are generally referred to as "Wesley's Standard Sermons." There are 52 of those "standard sermons," which is just right for a year-long study. And so, during 2019, we want to read Wesley's standard sermons -- one each week -- and then come together to discuss them with one another. We'll help each other understand and appreciate what Wesley preached. We'll experience the challenge and growth that made those first Methodists such a magnificent group. And we'll let Wesley help us apply the truth of the gospel to our lives. If you'd like to be part of this special year-long, church family emphasis during 2019, please register using the form below. |
RegistrationIf you would like to participate in our year-long study and conversation of John Wesley's 52 Standard Sermons, please complete the brief registration form below.
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What We've Done in Past Years |
How It Will Work This Year |
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Here is an accounting of what we have done together in previous years:
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When you sign up to be part of "The Methodist Pew" in 2019, we'll be in touch with you about getting copies of the 52 sermons and the schedule of our reading.
We'll read one sermon each week. And each week we'll have an opportunity to come together for a group discussion of the current sermon. Those weekly discussions will be provided at different times throughout each month to accommodate a variety of schedules and availability. Any person may attend any discussion group. |
Schedule of Sermons and Sessions
The 52 Standard Sermons of John Wesley can be read in various orders. We will follow the theological ordering proposed by Kenneth J. Collins and Jason E. Vickers. Our order of reading and discussing will be:
Meanwhile, here is our upcoming schedule of discussion group times:
The Three States of the Soul
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In Wesley's sermon on "The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption," he sets forth a paradigm about the three states of the human soul. I have created a chart that captures and summarizes what Wesley preaches about each of those spiritual conditions.
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Justified and Born of God
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In his sermon "The Great Privilege of Those That Are Born of God," John Wesley draws a distinction between being justified and being born of God. According to Wesley, they occur at the same time, and so they are chronologically indistinguishable. But theologically they are different elements of salvation. The PDF provides a chart that captures Wesley's insights on this distinction.
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