There are few people who challenge me more in my pursuit of Christ than John Wesley. If you have never read of his life then I beg you to pick up a Wesley biography. His devotion to Christ and desire to walk in a manner worthy of Him will convict and inspire you greatly. It will pretty much ‘rock your world’ (yes, I am aware that is a phrase straight out of the 80’s).
When Wesley was at Oxford he got a few of his closest buddies and formed a small group called the “Holy Club”. The group had a few other studs, namely George Whitfield and Charles Wesley. The goal was for these guys to grow in their faith daily through biblical community. They desired to encourage and spur one-another on in their faith and to not allow any one of them to drift into apathy toward Christ.
Within the group they came up with the following questions meant to be used for daily personal reflection. Each one was to utilize these questions daily in their private devotions.
1. Am I creating the impression that I am better than I am?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words?
3. Do I break confidence — tell others’ secrets?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, habits?
5. Can I be trusted?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did God’s Word live in me today?
8. Am I enjoying my prayer time?
9. When was the last time I shared my faith?
10. Do I pray about the money I spend?
11. Do I go to bed on time and get up on time?
12. Do I disobey God in anything?
13. Do I have an uneasy conscience?
14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, touchy, irritible, or distrustful?
16. Am I proud?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Do I thank God that I am not like others?
19. Is there anyone I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, disregard or resent?
20. Do I grumble and complain?
21. Is Christ real to me?
So, I encourage you to do two things…
- Commit your life to Biblical Community: You need it. Others need you. Enough said. Getting your life involved with others to that level will no doubt be difficult and time consuming. But it is biblical community that is the context where personal change takes place. God models community for us (ie, Trinity). Jesus’ life set the precedent for us (ie, 12 Disciples). The early church practiced it continually (ie, the entire book of Acts). And you desperately need it. Next step? If you are not connected already, go here to connect to a College Small Group!
- Begin to implement some sort of accountability into your Group: Whether is it the 21 questions from Wesley, or some other form of accountability, have a built in component of accountability to your biblical community. Don’t just study the Word together, allow your lives to be studied in light of the Word. Regularly have those in your life asking the difficult questions concerning your walk with Christ. Then allow your successes to be opportunities to praise God for His Gospel AND your failures to be opportunities to grow deeper in your dependence of His Gospel.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:19-25