My soul is tired…. I feel distanced from God…. I’m anxious….
When Methodists were asked this question in their small group, over two hundred years ago, they were encouraged not only to share how they felt, but more importantly how they were living. Our outward actions are an indication and a determinate of our inner life. To help guide the discussions, John Wesley developed the General Rules. These rules still guide our lives and our relationships today, and are designed to help us stay connected to God, to each other and to the world.
We would like for you to join us this year in practicing these rules. When we join together in worship and in small groups, we will ask each other “How is it with your Soul? This question is asked in true concern for each other and our relationship with God. We encourage you in your family unit and small groups to practice sharing with each other these questions, hold each other up when we are able to live out of them in holiness and justice, and encouraging each other when we find ourselves lacking. We are a people who believe that God can provide grace in our lives that makes us more perfect in love, we just have to be diligent in our practice and discipline.
Relationships are hard work (with God and others); they require time and commitment. As Bishop Ruben Job says, these rules are “simple, but not easy!” Good relationships don’t happen overnight, and require a lifetime of showing up. We hope these rules become a regular part of your life. We guarantee that if you practice them, you will grow in your relationship with God and your family and relationships will improve. We want to help you learn more and enable you make this a daily part of your life.
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