Wesleyan Discipleship:Integrating Vital Piety and Social Holiness

The Difference between Choosing and Being Chosen, by Dr. Nick Campbell

In a Discipleship We Choose / The Rhythm of salvation is  / Our actions – God’s response
Discipleship is a Connection
We Choose
Emphasis
Individual’s experience
of forgiveness and belonging
Defining Question
“Have you asked Jesus Christ to be
your personal Lord and Savior?”
Weakness apart from full discipleship
Does not require a growing understanding
of the faith, or an accountability to
the neighbors God gives us to love
Example of over-emphasis
“Sunday” faith that is not reflected
on Monday / Discipleship is a Formation
We Accept
Emphasis
A set of principles that one believes,
or a set of actions that one performs
Defining Questions
“What does the Bible say?”
“What would Jesus do?”
Weakness apart from full discipleship
Does not necessarily require a relationship with God through Jesus Christ,
or anticipate a further growth in love
Example of over-emphasis
“Burned out” members who quit and
“Fed up” members who leave / Discipleship is a Direction
We Seek
Emphasis
Individual’s progression in faith,
seeking “new” gifts and experiences
Defining Question
“Do you trust the Holy Spirit to
protect you and equip you?”
Weakness apart from full discipleship
Does not require growth in Christ-like love,
or a connection to a community
that holds them accountable in love
Example of over-emphasis
Spiritual thrill-seekers
Snake handling in worship
In a Discipleship of Being Chosen / The Rhythm of salvation is / God’s action – our response
Discipleship is revealed in
Prevenient Grace and Connection
Depending on God
To hunger for God is to know that we are not God. To thirst for God is to know the deadly dryness of our sin. To be awakened to our need for God is to discover all the ways we fall short of the glory and perfect love of God, as well as our inability to save or redeem ourselves. The fruit of this conviction is a poverty of spirit that enables us to receive the kingdom of God as an unmerited and underserved gift – as grace.
Corresponding Wesleyan Rule
Do no harm / Discipleship is revealed in
Justifying Grace and Formation
Conforming to Christ
Christian formation is not primarily concerned with the “thou shalt nots,” which can lead to a religion of avoidance. Wesley considered this the least part of religion. The “thou shalt nots” are based in a fear of the wrath of God, from which we are released through the justifying grace of Jesus Christ. Instead, authentic Christian spiritual formation is concerned with the active “love your neighbor as your self” that conforms our living to the life of Christ.
Corresponding Wesleyan Rule
Do good / Discipleship is revealed in
Sanctifying Grace and Direction
Confidence in the Holy Spirit
Confidence in God means sharing with God our hopes, our fears, our dreams, and our doubts, just as we would confide in a trusted friend. We do this in confidence so that we are not afraid to hide anything from God; and we do this with confidence that God will guide and direct us by the Holy Spirit. We can have assurance that this is the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the witness of our spirit confirms the witness of the Holy Spirit
Corresponding Wesleyan Rule
Stay in love with God