Fairview United Methodist Church

Nelson Memorial United MethodistChurch

To Live As A Christian

Confirmation Class

Dr. Nickolas J. Campbell

Section One

"Prevenient Grace" is how we describe that movement in our lives which leads us to want to know more about God. This is also sometimes known as "Convicting Grace," or when we receive the conviction that we need God in our lives. It is by the grace of God that we discover that there is something missing in our lives; and it is the grace of God that helps us to discover that it is a fuller relationship with God through Jesus Christ that we are missing.

You already have a relationship with Jesus Christ! The reason for this class is to help you have the right kind of relationship. What is the "right kind of relationship"? In the United Methodist tradition, it is a relationship of the assurance of the "strangely warmed heart," by which we seek to be made perfect in the love of God, which is then revealed by our love of neighbor. In this week's session, we will attempt to identify where we are, in terms of our relationship with Jesus Christ, and begin to identify where it is that we want to go!

Activity #1 Your Personal Faith History Time Line

On the time line below, mark those "faith events" that have been part of your life. Some of these events could include:

your baptism, 1st time to attend worship, 1st time to attend Sunday school, receiving your 1st Bible, VacationBibleSchool, church camp, church programs, etc. Write what you remember about these events below the timeline.

|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|

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Activity #2 Your Personal Encounter With Christians

Who have been the persons in your faith journey that you have looked up to as Christians? What is it about them that makes them a disciple of Jesus Christ? How are you already like them? How are you different? Read Romans 12:9-21, where Paul lists the marks of a true Christian. Rate yourself, and someone you look up to as a Christian, on the chart below.

Based on this evaluation, again look at how you are like a Christian you look up to, and how you are different. What can you do to be more like them? List specific things you can do to “go on to perfection” in one or more of the marks above.

Activity #3 Your Personal Theology

"Theology" is how we talk about our understanding of God, and how we are to live as Christians. In the theology of John Wesley, there is always a tension between God's activity and our response. Below are some statements that show this “tension” between the grace of God and our response to that grace. Where do you agree with these statements? Where do you disagree?

The good that happens in this church is due to

dedicated members & the grace of God in Jesus

I am most aware of God's will through

direct revelation and prayer & Bible study and worship

A good church is made up of

like minded people & people with diverse opinions

As I become aware of my sins, I need to

work to make things right & repent and seek help

Since Jesus died for my sins, I

have nothing to fear & must work out my faith

A faithful Christian is

a saint for God & a servant of God

I hope to become

a better person & a perfect person

In worship I expect

to be comforted by God & to be challenged by God

God's kingdom comes when we

obey God's laws & open up to God's spirit

Those who are not at worship need to be

more responsible & reconciled

I deal with temptation by

avoiding it & turning to Jesus

In order to be a true Christian, I need to

work harder & pray more

Activity #4 God's Activity and Our Response

The Church Year consists of six seasons which, when taken together, present the fullness of the Good News of Jesus Christ. There are two cycles of 3 seasons, with Ordinary Time (time for our response to the Good News of the Seasons) in between. Look at each season and what it represents for God's Activity; then consider what our response can be.

ADVENT Season (4 weeks before Christmas)

We believe that our hope that we will be made complete will be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. What can we do to convey this hope?

CHRISTMAS Season (December 25 - January 5)

We believe that God in Jesus Christ is present with us. What can we do to announce that presence?

EPIPHANY (January 6)

We believe that it is in Jesus Christ that God is manifested. What can we do to proclaim this unique claim of Jesus as Savior and Redeemer?

LENT (40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays)

We believe that through the self-giving of Jesus Christ that a new community is created by reconciliation and restoration. What can we do to reconcile people, and restore persons and communities, so that they may live as God intends?

EASTER Season (the 1st Sunday after the full moon that happens on or after March 21, and continuing 50 days)

We believe that through Jesus Christ's death and the power of his resurrection that we have victory over sin and death, and are made new creatures, as intended from the Creation. What can we do to live out this victory?

PENTECOST (50th day after Easter)

We believe that Jesus Christ promised and actually gave to us the Holy Spirit so that what is begun in us (new birth) can grow and be fulfilled in new living (holiness of heart and life). What can we do that will help us rely on the Holy Spirit for growth in love and grace?

Section Two

"Justifying Grace" is what God does for us so that we are in a right (or justified) relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is the "door of faith," for it is here that we enter what is usually considered a Christian life; it is here that we make our confession that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

There is a difference between having the right answer and knowing the right answer! A student discovered that the math book had all the answers to the problems in the back of the text book. While this student always had the right answer for the book's problems, the student never learned how to solve math problems that were not in the book. It is not enough for a Christian to have the answer that Jesus is Lord -- they must also know why and how Jesus is their Lord!

Activity #1 An Answer Given By Gregory of Nazianzus (330-389 AD, bishop, father of the Nicene Creed)

The following is a Christmas sermon written by Gregory that said a lot about who Jesus was and is.

He was born, but he was already begotten. He issued from a woman, but she was a virgin. He was wrapped in swaddling bands, but he removed the swaddling cloths of the grave when he rose again. He was laid in a manger, but he was glorified by angels, and proclaimed by a star, and worshipped by the Magi. He had no form or comeliness in the eyes of the Jews, but to David he was fairer than the children of men; and on the mountain he was brought as the lightning and became more luminous than the sun, initiating us into the mysteries of the future. He was baptized as a man, but he remitted sins as God. He was tempted as a man, but he conquered as God. He hungered, but he fed thousands. He thirsted, but he cried, "if any man thirst, let him come to me and drink." He was weary, but he is the peace of them that are sorrowful and heavy laden. He prays, but he hears prayer. He weeps, but he puts an end to tears. He asks where Lazarus was laid, for he was a man; and he raises Lazarus, for he is God. As a sheep he is led to the slaughter, but he is the Shepherd of Israel and now of the whole world. He is bruised and wounded, but he heals every disease and every infirmity. He is lifted up and nailed to the tree, but by the tree of life he restores us. He lays down his life, but he has the power to take it again; and the veil is rent, for the mysterious doors of heaven are opened, the rocks are cleft, the dead arise. He dies, but he gives life, and by his death destroys death. He is buried, but he rises again.

Read the Nicene Creed (#880, UM Hymnal). This is a list of answers to questions the early church had about their faith. Can you identify the questions?

To Live As A Christian 1

Activity #2 Jesus in John Wesley's Prayers

Friday morning, "A Collection of Forms of Prayers" 1738, adapted by Dr. Nick Campbell

Compare this image of Jesus with Gregory's.

O Savior of the World, God of God, Light of Light, you who are the brightness of the Father's glory, the express image and face of God, the destroyer of the devil's power, the one who has conquered death, the one who sits at the right hand of the Father, the one who will quickly come in glory to judge us all. I pray that you will be my light and my peace, that you will destroy the power of sin in me, that you will make me a new creature. O Thou who cast out seven demons from the woman, cast out of my heart all corrupt affections. O Thou who raised Lazarus from the dead, raise me from the death of sin. You who cleansed the lepers, healed the sick, and gave sight to the blind, heal the sin-sickness of my soul, open my eyes, and fix them solely on the prize of my high calling, and cleanse my heart from every desire, except that of advancing your glory. O Jesus, poor and lowly, unknown and despised, have mercy on me, and let me not be ashamed to follow you. O Jesus, hated, falsely accused, and wrongly persecuted, have mercy on me, and let me not be afraid to come after you. O Jesus, betrayed and sold for a vile price, have mercy on me, and make me content to have you as my master. O Jesus, blasphemed, accused, and wrongfully condemned, have mercy on me, and teach me to endure the opposition of sinners. O Jesus, clothed with reproach and shame, have mercy on me, and let me not seek my own glory. O Jesus, insulted, mocked and spat upon, have mercy on me, and let me run with patience the race set before me. O Jesus, dragged to the pillar, scourged and bathed in blood, have mercy on me, and let me not faint in the fiery trial. O Jesus, crowned with thorns, hailed in derision, O Jesus, burdened with our sins and the cures of the people, O Jesus, affronted, outraged, buffeted, overwhelmed with injuries, griefs, and humiliations, O Jesus, hanging on the accursed cross, bowing your head, and giving up your spirit, have mercy on me, and conform my entire soul to your holy, humble, suffering spirit. O Thou, who for the love of me, underwent such an infinity of sufferings and humiliations, let me also be wholly emptied of myself, that I may rejoice to take up my cross daily and follow you.

Activity #3 Who Does The Bible Say God Is

Look up the following Bible references.

Names

Genesis 14:19-20______

Genesis 16:13______

Genesis 17:1-2______

Genesis 21:33______

Genesis 22:14______

Images

Psalm 9:9______

Psalm 14:6______

Psalm 19:14______

Psalm 23:1-4______

Psalm 36:7______

Psalm 84:11______

Psalm 103:13______

Psalm 131:2______

Which of these images were familiar to you? Which were “new”? How do these names and images change your understanding of God?

Activity #4 Who Does The Bible Say Jesus Is

Look up the following Bible references.

Matthew 1:23______

Matthew 20:30______

Mark 1:1______

Mark 14:61-62______

Luke 10:25______

Luke 19:9-10______

John 1:1______

John 1:29______

John 4:14______

John 6:41______

John 8:12______

John 10:7______

John 10:11______

John 14:6______

John 20:28______

Which of these images were familiar to you? Which were “new”? How do these names and images change your understanding of Jesus?

Activity #5 Cautions & Directions: Who God Is Not!

How we live as Christians reflects to the world who we believe God is. John Wesley warned that there are temptations for Christians that are different from the temptations of the world, which can negate the good news of Jesus Christ.

Pride, or ascribing what we have from God to ourselves, as well as what we have not

Example of pride: thinking we know more about the Bible than we do because God teaches us "directly," without the benefit of the faith community or actual study

Enthusiasm, or ascribing to God what is not God

Example of enthusiasm: thinking that dreams or ideas that we have must be visions sent by God, without testing the vision by the Scriptures and the faith community

Antinomianism, or making void the law of God, or any part of it, because we have faith

Example of antinomianism: thinking that because we can pray always, that we do not need a disciplined time for prayer and worship

Sins of Omission, or not doing all the good that we can

Example of sins of omission: thinking that we have done enough when we have done anything at all

Desiring Anything But God, or seeking fulfillment in anything other than God

Example of desiring anything but God: doing good in order that others might notice and praise you for your efforts and goodness

Schism, or dividing the Church

Example of schism: thinking that, unless people agree with your opinion, that they have no place in the Church or with God

Activity #6 Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

History has portrayed Jesus in several ways: rabbi, monk, philosopher, universal man, etc. The Christian creeds all point to Jesus as the One who is both human and divine, mortal and immortal; as well as the unique manifestation of God in history as Savior and Redeemer, part of the Trinity-in-Unity of God who is Father-Son-Holy Spirit. The creeds usually list Biblical/historical activities of God, which point to our relationship with God today. The creeds often end with a statement of hope, of how God will complete that which is incomplete in this world.

Who do you say that Jesus is? Write your own creed in the space below.

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Section 3

"Sanctifying Grace" is the grace God gives to us so that we may walk with Jesus in faith, and grow in love and godliness in our relationships with the neighbors that God gives to us. This is the grace that allows us to "go on to perfection" so that we may "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

Having identified who Jesus is, we will now look at who we are before Jesus, and whom we may become as disciples of Jesus. Another way of talking about this is for us to consider the nature of our "character." John Wesley wrote a tract called "The Character of a Methodist," that had as its subtitle "Not as though I had already attained." The subtitle is from Philippians 3:12 -- "Not that I have already obtained this or have already been made perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Jesus Christ has made me his own."

Activity #1 Distinguished From Non-Christians

John Wesley wrote that non-Christians were persons who refused to accept these "fundamentals" of the faith:

+ all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God

+ the written word of God is the only and sufficient rule of Christian faith and practice

+ Christ is the eternal, supreme God

These are the "root" of Christianity. All the rest Wesley considered to be "opinions" about the faith. Some activities, common in society, are avoided because they are not thought to be proper activities for Christians -- what activities are included depend upon the "opinions" of the Christian. For example, the early Church struggled with the eating of meat that been offered to idols. Early in this century, playing cards, wearing jewelry and dancing were considered as unfit activities.

What are “common” activities today that may not be fit for Christians?

On what basis can we decide if it is a “fit” activity?

Activity #2 Not Distinguished By Temporal Things

God is eternal, but the way we talk about God and worship God is not eternal. No one spoke English when Jesus taught the people. No one had every heard a pipe organ or an electric guitar when they sang on the way to the Temple.

How do we worship God today? How do other Christians worship God? Make a list of things that are done differently in worship in Christian churches today. Which of these ways “speak” to you? Which of these ways seem “foreign” to you?

Then list different ways Christians respond to today's culture (Amish, Mennonites, 7th Day Adventists, Catholics, etc.)

Can be Christians be “in the world, but not of it?” Or must Christians be separate from the world?

Should we resist culture, accept culture without question, or try to influence culture?

How is living in the world the same as living in God’s kingdom? How is it different?

Activity #3 Rules of Methodists

Rule #1 states that we show our desire for salvation "by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced." There then followed a list of evils practiced in Wesley's day; among them taking the Lord's name in vain, profaning the Sabbath, having anything to do with "spirituous liquors," buying and selling slaves, fighting, quarreling, using many words in selling, buying on the "black market," wearing costly jewelry, self-indulgence, and others. What are the evils commonly practiced today that do harm to others?