THE BIBLE AND PRAYER
We are a renewal movement which is Bible-based and prayer-focussed
THE BIBLE
We uphold the authority of the Bible, as expressed in the Evangelical Alliance statement, 'The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which are the written Word of God—fully trustworthy for faith and conduct'
We contribute to key issues at all levels of the Methodist Church and beyond
We host a variety of conferences each year (in person and online) on preaching, Bible teaching, and ministry
We publish a range of resources for small groups to explore the Bible together
Our Development Worker is a resource to Districts, circuits and local churches to provide training for preachers, Bible teaching days and retreats
Scroll down for John Wesley’s advice about how to read the Bible
PRAYER
We encourage our partners and all Methodists to pray regularly and often:
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For God's kingdom to come, his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven
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For people by name to become disciples of Jesus
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For public issues and international situations, for guidance, justice, peace and wholeness
We hold a weekly prayer meeting on Zoom to pray for the church, nation and world
Three times a year, we produce Praying Always, a daily guide for prayer about contemporary concerns in the church and the world
We host daily prayer meetings as part of the Methodist Church’s Annual Conference
We encourage participation in the 'Thy Kingdom Come' prayer initiative for the evangelisation of the United Kingdom
JOHN WESLEY AND THE BIBLE
John Wesley gave the following advice on how to read the Bible:
If you desire to read scripture in such a manner as may most effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable:
1. To set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for that purpose?
2. At each time, if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old, and one out of the New Testament: if you cannot do this, to take a single chapter, or a part of one?
3. To read this with a single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a fixed resolution to do it in order to know his will, you should?
4. Have a constant eye to the analogy of faith; the connexion and harmony there is between those grand, fundamental doctrines, Original Sin, Justification by Faith, the New Birth, Inward and Outward Holiness?
5. Serious and earnest prayer should be constantly used, before we consult the oracles of God, seeing “scripture can only be understood thro’ the same Spirit whereby it was given.” Our reading should likewise be closed with prayer, that what we read may be written on our hearts?
6. It might also be of use, if while we read, we were frequently to pause, and examine ourselves by what we read, both with regard to our hearts, and lives. This would furnish us with matter of praise, where we found God had enabled us to conform to his blessed will, and matter of humiliation and prayer, where we were conscious of having fallen short?
And whatever light you then receive, should be used to the uttermost, and that immediately. Let there be no delay. Whatever you resolve, begin to execute the first moment you can. So shall you find this word to be indeed the power of God unto present and eternal salvation?
From John Wesley, Preface to Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament, April 25, 1765.