John Wesley's Class Meeting : A Model for Making Disciples

by Henderson, D. Michael

• ISBN13: 9780916035730
• ISBN10: 0916035735
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-06-01
• Publisher: The Francis Asbury Society

Summary

The Evangelical Revival that swept England in the mid-1700s rode on the tidal wave of small-group discipleship. John Wesley and his Methodist preachers expected their parishioners to attend weekly meetings, where their spiritual growth could be monitored and encouraged.

Dr. Henderson describes the genius of Wesley's class meetings and shows how similar groups would strengthen Christian ministry today. David L. McKenna, president emeritus of Asbury Theological Seminary, calls Henderson's book "a timely word for an urgent need".

Author Biography

D. Michael Henderson is the founder and Executive Director of African Leadership, an organization which helps train and equip African leaders for ministry in Africa. He has pastored several congregations as well as held teaching positions at colleges including Asbury College and Oral Roberts University. Dr. Henderson holds numerous degrees in both divinity and education, including a Ph.D. in education from Indiana University

Table of Contents

Preface	p. 5
Introduction	p. 11
The Wesleyan Revolution	p. 17
The Formation of Wesley's Method	p. 33
A Remarkable Beginning	p. 34
Ordination and Ordered Life	p. 40
The Holy Club	p. 42
The Mission to America	p. 44
The de Renty Model	p. 47
The Moravians	p. 51
The Aldersgate Experience	p. 55
The Herrnhut Model	p. 58
The Fetter Lane Society	p. 63
Field Preaching	p. 70
The Foundery Society	p. 72
Wesley's System of Interlocking Groups	p. 83
The Society: The Cognitive Mode	p. 83
Class Meeting: The Behavioral Mode	p. 93
Band: The Affective Mode	p. 112
Select Society: The Training Mode	p. 121
Penitent Bands: The Rehabilitative Mode	p. 125
Why Was Wesley's System So Effective?	p. 127
The Foundation Principles	p. 128
Group Strategies	p. 139
Leadership Principles	p. 145
Supplementary Instructional Aids	p. 155
Chronology of Major Events Related to the Development of Wesley's Group Models Up to July, 1741	p. 161
Orders of a Religious Society Meeting in Fetter Lane	p. 162
John Wesley's "Preface to the 1739 Hymnbook"	p. 165
Twelve Rules of a Helper	p. 168
Bibliography	p. 170
Notes	p. 177
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