A method to the madness ...

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves;

set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ

will bring you when he is revealed.

Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires

that you formerly had in ignorance.

Instead as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct;

for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy".

(1 Peter 1:13-16)

The second word of our denominational title, United Methodist, comes form what we became known for, our "method" of helping people follow Christ. The context of our method were individuals meeting together in order to help each other examine their own relationship with Jesus Christ.

As one example, the group I am a part of each week begins by asking each other, "How has God been good to you in the past week?" After answers are shared we look at the sermon text for the following week with challenging discussion questions that focus upon our realtionship with Jesus. And last, we make a promise on one action that we are going to do for God in the coming week. And, of course, there is a checkup on that in the following week.

This does a couple of healthy things -- it builds human relationships and relationships with God. Such is our effort to be 'holy' as the Lord our God is holy. Thanks be to God.

If you would like to be part of such a group contact me at john@arlingtonum.org