The Book of Discipline, which has been described as a covenant or set of laws for the denomination, outlines a shared way of life for United Methodists. Within the Discipline is a set of foundational documents, or doctrinal standards, that give us direction and enables us to stand together as disciples of Jesus Christ. What does a lived-out doctrine look like in today’s world? How can our differences spur conversation and draw us deeper into discipleship?
(Exploring these assignments before the meeting is particularly important for this session.)
- Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-14
OPENING PRAYER
Holy Creator: fervently You have called us into Your church and have placed us upon the sure foundation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By water and the Word, You’ve made us a new creation. Thank You for the gift of one another. Strengthened by the power of Your Holy Spirit and united with disciples of every time and place, we are here. Guide us through Your words of life in and beyond our time together. Enable us to respond faithfully to Your calling and rest secure in Jesus. Bless our conversations and our actions in the Name of Your Son and our Savior, 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
Video with the Rev. Mark Gorman. Rev. Gorman is pastor of Centre UMC in Forest Hill, Md., and chairs the Rules Committee of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
HEAD & HEART DISCUSSION
CLOSING PRAYER
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist in either Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast to both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.”