One defining trait of United Methodists is our use of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, created in 1964 by theologian Albert Outler as a tool for discernment for people of faith seeking to live out their theology. With Scripture as primary, reason, experience, and tradition serve as additional sources of wisdom as we seek to discern God’s will. How can United Methodists use the Quadrilateral to engage in a world where the Spirit of God is alive and moving in our everyday lives? In what ways do these sources of wisdom inform our faith and our future?
OPENING PRAYER
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us. Melt us. Mold Us. Fill Us. Use Us. Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on not some of us, but all of us. Holy One, thank You for the gift of Your presence. With every breath, we are made anew. Reveal Yourself to us as the Great I Am and speak through the Scriptures, hymns, and experiences that are lifted before You this day. By the Power of Your Holy Spirit, move among and in spite of us. Remind us of who we are, why we exist, and what we are here to do for Your glory and for the transformation of Your world. In the beauty of silence, and as we communicate with one another, lead us. Interpreter of our collective cries and transformer of our groans, help us to deeply understand and have mercy upon one another. We are Yours, wholly Yours, and we live to glorify Your Name both now and forever. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
In the gift of this moment, we affirm that we are divinely loved and lovable.
We are the children of God.
Together, we will learn from the actions and words of one another.
Christ’s lessons on love are centered in how we treat others and in how we treat ourselves.
We will exercise courage in this study as we share stories of struggle and strength.
We will stay at the table and receive those stories with grace.
We will not be afraid to launch into the deep.
We will commit to the vulnerability necessary to allow God to break us open.
We will set and respect boundaries and honor confidentiality together.
When uncertainty arises, we will remember the Spirit of “peace that passes our own understanding” and can intercede for us.
We will remember that even when we don’t feel “United,”
The uniting love of Christ can reveal a pathway to greater
wisdom and mutual respect.
No matter what, there is a place for each one of us in this study together.
Let us hold each other up in prayer, hold each other accountable in love, and
trust that our God is making all things new.
Thank you for the gift of being present to one another in this holy time.
VIDEO CONTENT - Video will be available on 5/30
HEAD & HEART DISCUSSION
CLOSING PRAYER
“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26
PRAYER AND PATHWAY TO JOURNALING
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Wesley and the Quadrilateral: Renewing the Conversation; a variety of United Methodist thinkers join in a conversation on the quadrilateral that examines the past while focusing on our current society and future cultural trends.
A Year with John Wesley and Our Methodist Values; What is the Methodist way of living? A collection of 12 essays by a variety of authors explores the quadrilateral and the impact it can have on one’s faith in today’s world.
“Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men (sic). I sit down alone: only God is here. In God’s presence I open, I read God’s book; for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: ‘Lord, is it not Thy word, “If any person lacks wisdom, let them ask of God?” Thou ‘givest liberally, and upbraidest not.’ You have said, ‘If any be willing to do Your will, they shall know.’ I am willing to do; let me know Your will.
“I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, ‘comparing spiritual things with spiritual.’ I meditate thereon with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God; and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I teach.”