Grow Night 10/18

Overview of Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Wesleyan = Outler

Quadrilateral = square

Scripture - Primary source nothing inside or outside of it being used for our belief

Tradition - creeds, history of the church, etc.

Experience - this is personal experience

Reason - about logical coherence to the other items

World in Front of the Text World Behind the Text

Putting it all together

John 6:53–56 NRSV

53 So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.

The world behind the text

read the Clippings document and shout out observations

Read the passage list of other passages that inform this scripture

Tradition

What do we know about the tradition of communion

What does it mean?

Experience

What personal experiences do you have that compare to this passage

Reason

Using our own reason what is it likely that God is communicating to us through this passage for our time here and now?

Application

How has this passage challenged or moved you?

What issues, personal or corporate, are involved with this passage?

What spiritual struggles are addressed in this passage, either directly or indirectly?

What response do you think the passage should inspire in others if you shared it and your insights with them?