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Questions and Answers
What significant event occurred in John Wesley's childhood that influenced him throughout his life?
What significant event occurred in John Wesley's childhood that influenced him throughout his life?
Which academic institution did John Wesley attend on scholarship?
Which academic institution did John Wesley attend on scholarship?
What degree did John Wesley obtain from Christ Church, Oxford in 1724?
What degree did John Wesley obtain from Christ Church, Oxford in 1724?
What was the nature of the organization that Charles Wesley started at Oxford?
What was the nature of the organization that Charles Wesley started at Oxford?
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In what year was John Wesley ordained as a deacon?
In what year was John Wesley ordained as a deacon?
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What did John Wesley primarily teach as a junior fellow at Oxford?
What did John Wesley primarily teach as a junior fellow at Oxford?
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How many siblings did John Wesley have?
How many siblings did John Wesley have?
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What motivated John Wesley and his group to initially engage in charitable activities?
What motivated John Wesley and his group to initially engage in charitable activities?
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Which scripture did John Wesley often quote to describe his childhood experience of being rescued from a fire?
Which scripture did John Wesley often quote to describe his childhood experience of being rescued from a fire?
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What was the original name used by detractors to refer to Wesley's group?
What was the original name used by detractors to refer to Wesley's group?
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Which significant event during Wesley's voyage to Savannah influenced his faith?
Which significant event during Wesley's voyage to Savannah influenced his faith?
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What was John Wesley's main mission in the Province of Georgia?
What was John Wesley's main mission in the Province of Georgia?
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Why did John Wesley leave the Colony of Savannah in December 1737?
Why did John Wesley leave the Colony of Savannah in December 1737?
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What significant achievement did John Wesley accomplish during his time in America?
What significant achievement did John Wesley accomplish during his time in America?
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What was the turning point that led Wesley to reassess his beliefs about salvation?
What was the turning point that led Wesley to reassess his beliefs about salvation?
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What did Wesley mean when he described his heart as 'strangely warmed'?
What did Wesley mean when he described his heart as 'strangely warmed'?
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What was the primary reason Wesley and his colleagues founded the Fetter Lane Society?
What was the primary reason Wesley and his colleagues founded the Fetter Lane Society?
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Which event significantly increased Wesley's reach to those who stayed away from churches?
Which event significantly increased Wesley's reach to those who stayed away from churches?
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What structure did Wesley implement in 1742 to enforce discipline within the society?
What structure did Wesley implement in 1742 to enforce discipline within the society?
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Why was Wesley barred from preaching by the established church?
Why was Wesley barred from preaching by the established church?
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What was the function of the probationer system introduced by Wesley?
What was the function of the probationer system introduced by Wesley?
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What form of outreach did Wesley find most effective for the Methodist movement?
What form of outreach did Wesley find most effective for the Methodist movement?
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What was the first event Wesley held in 1744 to formalize the governance of the Methodist movement?
What was the first event Wesley held in 1744 to formalize the governance of the Methodist movement?
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Which of the following accurately describes the system Wesley employed to manage the growing number of groups in his movement?
Which of the following accurately describes the system Wesley employed to manage the growing number of groups in his movement?
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Study Notes
John Wesley: Childhood and Early Life
- Born on June 28, 1703, in Epworth, Lincolnshire, to Samuel and Susanna Wesley.
- Samuel was a Church of England clergyman, and Susanna instilled strong moral values in their children.
- The Wesley family had nineteen children; John was the fifteenth.
- Children learned Latin, Greek, and memorized significant parts of the New Testament.
- Survived a house fire at age six; famously described in relation to Zechariah 3:2, "A Brand Plucked out of the Fire."
- Attended Charterhouse School in London and graduated in 1720, then received a scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford.
- Earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1724; pursued a Master's while becoming a fellow.
- Ordained a deacon on September 25, 1725, and became a fellow of Lincoln College in March 1726.
Career Beginnings
- Became curate in his father's parish in 1727 and was ordained a priest on September 22, 1728.
- Served as a junior fellow at Oxford, teaching Greek Testament and deepening his religious studies.
- Joined a group led by his brother Charles, focused on scripture study, self-examination, and charity work, later called the 'Holy Club.'
- Group known as Methodists from 1732 for their disciplined approach to religious life.
Mission and Challenges
- Refused to become a parish minister as urged by his father, opting for a mission in Savannah, Georgia, in 1735.
- Experienced a transformative storm on the ship, observing calm Moravian prayers, leading to introspection about faith.
- Arrived in Georgia in February 1736 focused on converting native Indians but primarily worked with European settlers.
- Published 'Collection of Psalms and Hymns,' the first Anglican hymn book in America.
- Returned to England in December 1737 due to personal issues and depression; met Moravian missionary Peter Böhler for guidance.
- Attended a Moravian meeting on May 24, 1738, experiencing a spiritual awakening, realizing faith in Christ leads to salvation.
Formation of the Methodist Movement
- Established the 'Fetter Lane Society' with his brother Charles and others to foster spiritual growth.
- Conducted extensive preaching on salvation by faith, angering the established church and leading to preaching bans.
- Began open-air preaching in April 1739, reaching a wider audience who avoided traditional church services.
- Expanded his organization, appointing lay preachers and constructing chapels, starting with one in Bristol.
- Introduced 'class-meeting' system in 1742 to maintain discipline and formed a probationer system for new members.
- Compiled a set of rules in 1743, which later became the foundation of Methodist Discipline.
- Held the first Methodist conference in 1744, establishing a systematic organization of societies, classes, and circuits under superintendents.
Key Legacy
- Promoted a methodology for lay ministry and community engagement that greatly influenced Protestantism and religious practices.
- His commitment to spreading the message of faith through disciplined methodical practice laid the groundwork for Methodism.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the life of John Wesley and key biblical texts such as Proverbs 3:5-8 and John 3:16. This quiz covers Wesley's childhood, family background, and influences that shaped his teachings. Discover how these scriptures connect to Wesleyan theology.