Session 1

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD: AN UPWARD FOCUS

PLANNING THE SESSION

Session Goals

As a result of conversations and activities connected with this session, group members should begin to:

• Consider the first seven questions about the relationship with God.

• Understand through an exploration of these questions how they can enrich and enliven their relationship with God.

• Examine the relationship between prayer and daily life.

Section Summary

Section 1 explores the first seven of John Wesley's twenty-one questions. These questions address the theme of "Relationship with God: an Upward Focus." In these questions, Wesley sets forth a challenge to become who God intended us to be. Through this material, we reflect on prayer, Scripture, and our relationship with Jesus. The person and work of Jesus provide the model for the life God meant for us to live.

Biblical Foundation

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. He removes any of my branches that don't produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can't produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can't produce fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can't do anything. If you don't remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples."

John 15:1-8

Jesus told them, "When you pray, say:

'Father, uphold the holiness of your name.
Bring in your kingdom.
Give us the bread we need for today.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who has wronged us.
And don't lead us into temptation.'"

Luke 11:2-4

From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8

Special Preparation

• Provide writing paper and pens for those who may need them. Also have Bibles available for those who do not bring one.

• Make sure all participants have a copy of the book The Wesley Challenge: 21 Days to a More Authentic Faith. Invite them to read the introduction and Section 1 in advance of the first session.

• Have available large sheets of blank paper to attach to the wall or a large whiteboard and markers for group activity.

• Bring index cards to distribute for group activity.

• As the leader, go over the session in advance and select or adapt the activities you think will work best for your group in the time allotted. Consider your own responses to questions you will pose to the group.

• Make nametags available if desired.

FACILITATING THE SESSION

Welcome and Opening Prayer (3 minutes)

As participants arrive, welcome them to the study and invite them to make use of one of the available Bibles if they did not bring one. Introduce yourself. You may want to share why you are excited about facilitating this study of The Wesley Challenge: 21 Days to a More Authentic Faith. If you sense that the participants in your group do not know each other well, allow time during this first session for them to introduce themselves and share something about their relationship with the church, for example the name of a Sunday school class to which they belong, a mission project they support, or which worship service they attend. Extend a special welcome to those who do not regularly attend your church.

Offer the prayer below, pray one of your own, or invite a group member to pray.

Everlasting God, Who is your beloved Son, Who is the King of the whole world; Who wills to restore all things to be made new; Who gives Mercy to all the people of all the nations, Who with you, God, lives and reigns for ever we ask that we find Jesus to be more real every day.

Video (10 minutes)

Play the video for session 1. In this segment, Chris Folmsbee introduces the Wesley Challenge, gives the history of John Wesley's twenty-one questions, and presents the first set of seven questions, focusing on "Do I pray about the money I spend?"

Choose from the following for a brief discussion:

• Wesley's motto was, "Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can." Do you think this is a good premise to live by? Why or why not?

• Do you consider spending money to be a spiritual activity? Why or why not?

• What do you think of the author's contention, "The money I possess is not mine. It is God's money"?

Biblical Foundation (5 minutes)

Section 1 cites John 15:1-8 to describe the relationship between human beings and Jesus. Read the passage aloud and consider the following questions:

• Jesus says that there are two kinds of branches. What are they, and what do they symbolize?

• What does it mean to "remain" in Jesus? Do humans have a choice to remain, unlike branches?

• Jesus says, "My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples." What does it mean to "produce much fruit"? In practical terms, what human "fruit" proves that they are disciples of Jesus?

Week in Review (10 minutes)

The seven questions in Section 1 explore the nature of our relationship with God through Jesus, prayer, and Scripture. Review the questions with the group:

1. Is Jesus real to me?

2. Am I enjoying prayer?

3. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

4. Did the Bible live in me today?

5. Did I disobey God in anything?

6. Do I pray about the money I spend?

7. Do I give time for the Bible to speak to me every day?

Invite responses to a few of the prompts below:

• What was your experience moving through the questions this first week?

• Which ones stood out to you?

• Which were the most difficult to grapple with?

• Did any of them lead to a sense of transformation as you contemplated them?

• How did living the questions this week have an impact on your own relationship with God?

• What was your method of engaging the questions?

• Did you read the passages in the morning or the evening?

Group Activity (20 minutes)

The following section provides opportunities for discussion of the week's theme, Relationship with God,...