We live in an increasingly complicated, fast-paced, and frenzied world. Technology brings the world to us and makes us available 24/7 – cell phones, text messages, e-mails – which is generally a good thing. But this is not always in our soul’s best interest. By being available 24/7, we’re always “on.” As a consequence, we can feel “trapped” into becoming something we don’t really wish to be. And we can get pulled in so many directions that we lose touch with any core sense of meaning and direction in life. Is there a way, we wonder, to cut through the complexities and turbulence of our modern lives and put our feet on some bedrock?

As United Methodists, we have a life-enhancing treasure from our Wesleyan heritage: 3 simple rules that have dramatically changed the world and which, when applied to our lives, can dramatically change us. These 3 simple rules are ... 1) Do no harm, 2) Do good, and 3) Stay in love with God.
  1. July 6: “Be Loved” – an introduction to the series with its inspiration by Gibson, the hoosier cupboard, and an overview of the Wesleyan blueprint of salvation with its “one thing needful” goal of Christlikeness.
    1. SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:42; Philippians 2:12-13
  2. July 13: “Do No Harm” – a fuller look at the Wesleyan blueprint of salvation, especially the concept of prevenient grace, and the simple rule “do no harm.”
    1. SCRIPTURE: Isa. 1:16-17; Gal. 5:13-15
    2. GENERAL RULE: “by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced.”
  3. July 20: “Do Good”– a review of the Wesleyan blueprint of salvation, especially the concept of justifying grace, and the simple rule “do good.”
    1. SCRIPTURE: Isa. 1:16-17; Luke 6:27-28; 3 John 11
    2. GENERAL RULE: “By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all...”
  4. July 27: “Stay in Love with God” – a review of the Wesleyan blueprint of salvation, especially the concept of sanctifying grace, and the simple rule “stay in love with God.”
    1. SCRIPTURE: Psalm 105:4; 127:1a; John 21:15ff, Colossians 2:6-7
    2. GENERAL RULE: “By attending upon all the ordinances of God... ”

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Series Resources

  1. Action Ideas
  2. Discussion Guide

Weekly Resources
3 Simple Rules Home | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

Week 1: Resources

  1. Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living,
    by Rueben P. Job. Abingdon Press. 2008.
  2. Wesley for Armchair Theologians,
    by William J. Abraham. Westminster John Knox Press. 2005.
  3. Reclaiming the Wesleyan Tradition:
    John Wesley’s Sermons for Today    .
    Douglas M. Strong, et al. Discipleship Resources. 2007.
  4. Bulletin Insert
  5. Week One Summary and Questions

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