In his preaching, teaching and writing, founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley (1703-1791) challenged the earliest Methodists with a series of 21 questions intended to strip away pretense, expose the motives of the heart, and lead toward holiness.
Join in The Wesley Challenge: 21 Days to a More Authentic Faith sermon and study series, based on the book by Chris Folmsbee. Each day raises a question and presents scripture, topics for reflection and a challenge.
Need a copy of the book? Stop by the church office. They're available for $10.
Click here to read more about the challenge.
DAY 21
When did I last speak to someone about my faith?
Read
Chapter 21 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. When did you last speak to someone about your faith?
2. Do you show your faith more through your words or deeds? How can you balance both sides of the gospel “coin”?
3. Who first shared his or her faith with you?
Today's Challenge
Share your faith through your words or actions---or both---today. Actively look for ways to do this. Find the natural opening in a conversation to mention your faith, when before you might have kept your mouth shut. Demonstrate the gospel to someone by blessing them with your actions.
DAY 20
Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard?
Read
Chapter 20 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Would you say you are at peace with God, self and others? Why or why not?
2. Have you created or kept separation between you and another because you simply don’t like them? If so, ask yourself what is driving this dislike.
3. Is there a very good reason why you hold resentment toward another person?
Today's Challenge
Take a minute to talk with a person whom you fear, dislike, criticize or disregard. Show this person the love of Christ.
DAY 19
Am I honest in all my actions and words, or do I exaggerate?
Read
Chapter 19 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Do you find yourself exaggerating when you recount a story to another person? If so, what is driving that urge? Are you worried that your reality is not interesting enough to someone else?
2. Have you ever been caught in a lie? What was the situation? What did you learn from it?
Today's Challenge
Commit to a “no exaggeration, no lie” policy for the next twenty-four hours. Resist the urge to blame your lateness on a traffic jam or to extend the size of that fish you caught as you tell the story.
DAY 18
Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
Read
Chapter 18 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Which of the characteristics John Wesley calls out in this question do you most struggle with?
2. Do you have a close relationship with someone who displays these behaviors on a regular basis? What is the impact on you?
Today's Challenge
Force yourself to pause when an event or conversation triggers an emotional response in you. Tempted to confront someone driving poorly when you are out in traffic? Hit the pause button. Feel like responding sarcastically to a comment from your spouse or coworker? Take a deep breath and delay.
DAY 17
Do I confidentially pass on to others what was told to me in confidence?
Read
Chapter 17 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Have you ever betrayed someone’s confidence? What were the circumstances?
2. If you have ever betrayed someone’s confidence, how did you feel after you shared that person’s confidential information? Are you still in a relationship with that person? Why or why not?
3. If you have ever betrayed someone’s confidence, how was this principle of trust instilled in you?
Today's Challenge
Think of the most trustworthy friend you have, and take time today to thank this person for the trust established in your relationship. Tell this person of the value you place on such a presence in your life.
DAY 16
Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
Read
Chapter 16 in The Wesley Challenge
Scripture
God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled. —2 Timothy 1:7 (CEB)
Reflection Questions
1. Who do I have in my life who knows the real me?
2. How can I be more real with people?
3. Do I have environments where I feel like I have to fake it? Why?
Today's Challenge
Ask someone you trust to name an area of your life in which you appear to be faking it. Encourage them to be honest with you. How can you move from a place of falsehood and putting on a brave face to a place of authenticity and growth?
DAY 15
Do I thank God that I am not like others?
Read
Chapter 15 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. How do you compare yourself to others? Do you tend to find yourself lacking in some way, or do you find you are grateful that you are not like them?
Who do you most often compare yourself to? Is there one particular person or group of people that draw this tendency out in you? Why is that the case?
Today's Challenge
Count the number of times you compare yourself to others today. You’ll have to develop a heightened awareness, but you may find the number shocking! Think about every news story you read or watch, every Facebook post you glance at, every meeting you attend, every person you look at in the gym. What are the comparisons you make?
DAY 14
Am I self-conscious, self-pitying or self-justifying?
Read
Chapter 14 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Has anyone ever accused you of being self-absorbed, self-pitying or self-justifying? Most of us have probably heard that at least once in our lives. What were the circumstances of that encounter? Did you learn anything about yourself as a result?
2. How often do you attempt something you will be “bad” at? If your answer is “rarely,” why do you think that is? Are you afraid of being embarrassed or looking foolish to others? Are you worried about criticism, or is it because you like to be best?
Today's Challenge
Do something outside of your comfort zone today. Talk to a stranger, invite someone you don’t know well out to lunch, take treats to the neighbors who keep to themselves---whatever it is, it needs to be something that makes you a little nervous and uncomfortable before you take it on.
DAY 13
How do I spend my spare time?
Read
Chapter 13 in The Wesley Challenge
Scripture
6 Brothers and sisters, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to stay away from every brother or sister who lives an undisciplined life that is not in line with the traditions that you received from us. 7 You yourselves know how you need to imitate us because we were not undisciplined when we were with you. 8 We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked night and day with effort and hard work so that we would not impose on you. 9 We did this to give you an example to imitate, not because we didn’t have a right to insist on financial support. 10 Even when we were with you we were giving you this command: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, they shouldn’t eat.” 11 We hear that some of you are living an undisciplined life. They aren’t working, but they are meddling in other people’s business. 12 By the Lord Jesus Christ, we command and encourage such people to work quietly and put their own food on the table. 13 Brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged in doing what is right. —2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (CEB)
Reflection Questions
1. What activities bring you the most enjoyment and make you feel the most refreshed and energized?
2. How much of your spare time do you spend engaged in these pursuits? If it’s less than you would like, how can you restructure your time so that you are spending it in ways that bring you life?
Today's Challenge
As your day unfolds, pay attention to your periods of spare time, and also how you fill that time. Record that information—honestly—and review it at the end of the day. Did you have more or less spare time than you anticipated? How do you feel about how you spent that time?
DAY 12
Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
Read
Chapter 12 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. What controls your life? Be honest with yourself. What is the focus of most of your thoughts? What preoccupies you? How much time, effort and focus would be available for your participation in the mission of God if this factor did not preoccupy your life?
2. Do you know someone who is noticeably enslaved by possessions or obsessions? What effect is this having on that person’s life or their family’s life?
Today's Challenge
Pay attention today to the messages you receive from your social media feeds, from your entertainment sources, and from the circle of your closest friends and acquaintances. Note how these messages might be influencing you to place possessions or other obsessions ahead of what God desires for you.
DAY 11
Do I grumble or complain constantly?
Read
Chapter 11 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Do you think you are optimistic or pessimistic by nature? What kind of feedback have you received from people in your life about this aspect of your personality?
2. Do you think it is possible to reframe your approach to circumstances to view them in a positive versus negative light? What could help you do this?
Today's Challenge
Pay attention to your urge to complain throughout the day. When you find yourself on the verge of grumbling, stop. Ask yourself what would be gained by your complaining and conversely, what might be lost by your complaining. Keep a mental note of how many times you were tempted to grumble about something. What does this tell you about yourself?
DAY 10
Do I go to bed on time and get up on time?
Read
Chapter 10 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. How would you answer this question of John Wesley’s, both on the surface level (adequate hours of sleep) and on its deeper level (rested enough to make the world a better place)?
2. Think about a time you’ve felt exhausted and depleted. What was your behavior like at that time? What kind of decisions did you make when you were in that state?
Today's Challenge
Like the flight attendant mentioned in this chapter, be determined to make the world a better place for the people you come in contact with today. Challenge yourself to make people feel better about themselves because of you.
DAY NINE
Am I defeated in any part of my life?
Read
Chapter 9 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. In what areas of my life do I often feel defeated?
2. Is there anything in my life that I could change, such as personal habits like eating healthier or exercising more, that would help me overcome feeling defeated?
3. What are the warning signs in my life that help me see my need for help and support?
Today's Challenge
Admit to the people closest to you that you are feeling defeated. Be specific. If you are not feeling defeated at the moment, your challenge is to share with a friend the areas in your life in which you most often feel defeated and why.
DAY EIGHT
Am I proud?
Read
Chapter 8 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Where in my life do I mask insecurities with pride?
2. What are my strengths from God’s perspective?
3. What will I leave behind in one thousand years?
Today's Challenge
Ask a trusted friend or mentor to share their opinion of your three biggest strengths and three biggest areas of improvement.
DAY SEVEN
Do I give time for the Bible to speak to me every day?
Read
Chapter 7 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Do you struggle with finding the time or taking the time to read the Bible each day? Or is your challenge more about understanding and interpreting what you’ve read?
2. How has God spoken to you through the Bible? Has God spoken to you in a different way, such as music or prayer, or through another person?
Today's Challenge
Devote 20 minutes to reading one of the Gospels today. Approach the time with an open mind and heart. Listen for God’s voice as you read and reflect. What did you hear?
DAY SIX
Do I pray about the money I spend?
Read
Chapter 6 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. What were your thoughts as you read Wesley’s statement: “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can”? Were you surprised by any part of the quote?
Today's Challenge
Bless someone with your money today. Make the amount significant enough that it will feel like a sacrifice to you. Have the money ready in your pocket or purse so that you can act when the moment presents itself. Don’t second-guess yourself. Act.
DAY FIVE
Did I disobey God in anything?
Read
Chapter 5 in The Wesley Challenge
Scripture
You must walk the precise path that the Lord your God indicates for you so that you will live, and so that things will go well for you, and so you will extend your time on the land that you will possess. —Deuteronomy 5:33
Reflection Questions
1. In what areas of my life am I choosing my own desires over God’s desires?
2. Where can I find help in overcoming my shortcomings?
3. How can I use the freedom that God has granted me to worship God?
Today’s Challenge
Sometime today, spend a few minutes reflecting on your life. In what areas of your life are you intentionally living for your own self rather than for God’s glory? After determining the area or areas of disobedience in your life, tell God you are sorry. Also, tell one of your Christian friends what you are struggling with so this person can offer you accountability, help and support.
DAY FOUR
Did the Bible live in me today?
Read
Chapter 4 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. How do you let the Bible live in you each day?
2. Has your view of the Bible changed throughout your life? Do you value the Bible differently, or relate to it differently, than you did when you were younger?
Today’s Challenge
Keep a Bible with you at all times today. Let it serve as a reminder of God’s desire to be with you in every moment of your day. When you have a few free moments, use them to engage with Scripture.
DAY THREE
Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
Read
Chapter 3 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Do you have areas of your life that are causing you an uneasy conscience? What are these weaknesses?
2. Dig deeply—what is driving these temptations in your life? What steps can you put into place to combat the temptations you are facing?
Today’s Challenge
Tell a trusted friend about a temptation you are struggling with. Name it, and ask for your friend’s help in holding you accountable in working to overcome what is causing your “uneasy conscience.”
DAY TWO
Am I enjoying prayer?
Read
Chapter 2 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. Were you taught how to pray as a child? If so, who taught you, and what were you instructed to do?
2. What kind of routine or schedule do you currently follow in your prayer life?
3. Think about a time when you prayed in earnest. What were the circumstances surrounding that time of prayer? What did you feel when the prayer was completed?
Today’s challenge
Memorize this one sentence prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Repeat the sentence throughout the day, saying it more than once each time you pray it.
DAY ONE
Is Jesus real to me?
Read
Chapter 1 in The Wesley Challenge
Reflection Questions
1. When has Jesus seemed the most real to you in your life? The least real? What were those circumstances?
2. How can you make Jesus seem more real to you now? What discipleship practices can you put into place in your life to become a more deeply committed Christian?
3. Who has been the Philip in your life, helping you to understand the good news about Jesus? Are you fulfilling that role in someone else's life?
Today's Challenge
Make Jesus real for someone you come in contact with today. Notice the needs of people around you with a heightened awareness, and then bravely act as Christ would act.