DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How would you summarize the information in this chapter in one or more sentences?
What statement by Bishop Carder really spoke to your mind or heart as very important for us to understand and remember?
RESOURCES
This discussion is on a chapter from Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way, by Kenneth Carder (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2009). This book is available from Cokesbury.com, Amazon.com and other sources.
I feel that this chapter is mainly about the three general rules “First, by doing no harm, …Secondly, by doing good; …Thirdly, by attending upon all the ordinances of God.”
However, Bishop Carder sums the practice of general rules up on page 98, when tying discipleship to that of an artisan or athlete. “No one is free to be a craftsperson if he or she is unwilling to pay the price to master the necessary skills. A love for the craft is a prerequisite, but being a craftperson involves disciplined and persistent following of guidelines, rules and principles. The Craft of Christian discipleship includes a love for the one the disciples called “Master”, a willingness to follow the rules and guidelines set forth in the teachings and example of Christ, and relationships in which we are held accountable for living our beliefs.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Accepting the free gift of grace from God requires obedience and accountability. Both obedience and accountability strengthens our relationship with God. As Christians we should make room for grace, live grace fully and grow in grace.
2. “Wesley was convinced that authentic religion goes from the weak to the powerful rather than from the powerful to the weak.” We can only know God from a position of weakness. In doing so we grow in HIS divine image.