What a Time to Be Wesleyan: The Biblical Roots of Our Theological Heritage 1. Committed to the Faith Session Goals: To introduce a new unit of study on

What a Time to Be Wesleyan: The Biblical Roots of Our Theological Heritage

1. Committed to the Faith1. Committed to the Faith

Session Goals:

• To introduce a new unit of study on our Wesleyan theological heritage.• To affirm that Christian theology must be grounded in an understanding of both the Old and New Testament Scriptures.• To understand that Christian faith is derived from belief that Jesus is the Christ of God.• To acknowledge that Wesleyan theology is in the mainstream of Christian faith and thought.• To examine the influence of the Reformation on what we believe.



This quarter begins with a unit on our rich heritage as Wesleyans. In many ways, our times are much like those of John Wesley.

The question is: Can we find opportunity in the midst of that? In the words of David L.

McKenna, “Wesleyans are a people saved to serve in turbulent times.” We are called to be Christians of Wesleyan conviction in a world

that is spinning out of control.



During this first session we will trace the biblical roots of our theological heritage to the Protestant Reformation and to the New Testament itself. We will find that Wesleyan thought is thoroughly within the mainstream

of Protestant Christian faith.



OUTLINE•Anticipation (Matthew 4:12-16)•Preparation (Matthew 11:7-15)•Proclamation (Matthew 4:17, 23-25; 11:1)•Transformation (Matthew 11:2-6)



Describe how and why you began coming to this

particular church.



The choices we make about the kind of church we

attend says a lot about who we are, who we believe

God is, and how we and He are to be involved in the work of His kingdom.



2 Timothy 3:14-15 says: “But as for you, continue in what you have

learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from

whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy

Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith

in Christ Jesus.”



What do you consider to be the basics of Christianity? What do you consider to be the important sources of information about Christianity for a growing believer today? What is the key message that we find in the life and ministry of Jesus?



Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25; 11:1-15

What does each of these sections of Scripture say about the basics of the Christian faith?What does each section of Scripture say about the sources of our Christian faith?What does each section of Scripture say about the mission of Jesus Christ specifically?



From our work so far, define the word “Christian” in

one-sentence statements.



A Short Lesson in Church History

The Early Church was composed at first of converts from Judaism.Christians began to disassociate themselves from Jews.The Christian religion was considered illegal and was persecuted by the Roman Empire.In A.D. 313, Christianity became a legal religion.The Christian church grew in size, power and hierarchy throughout the Middle Ages.



A Short Lesson in Church History

In the 1500s, the Protestant Reformation divided Christians into two Christian bodies--Catholics and Protestants.Within the Protestant tradition, many different denominations have developed. One of the Protestant streams of theology is known as “Wesleyan” and began in the 1700s.



3 key differences between Protestants and Catholics

The authority of God’s Word. Justification by faith only. The priesthood of all believers.



When I realize that my church is part of the larger Christian church that goes back all the way to the first-century Early Church, I am reminded. . .

Knowing that I am part of the larger Protestant tradition, I realize. . .

When I am reminded that my church stands for the basics of the Christian faith in today’s troubled world, I feel. . . .



NICENE CREED

I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.



And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man,



and crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried, and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.



And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy universal and apostolic church; I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Documents

What a Time to Be Wesleyan: The Biblical Roots of Our Theological Heritage 1. Committed to the Faith Session Goals: To introduce a new unit of study on