Three Simple Rules Preview

In this series, we’ll deepen our Methodist understanding of how to love God by embracing the rule to Stay in Love with God. We’ll also explore how to love others and share Christ through the foundational Methodist rules: Do No Harm and Do Good. As we start the year by creating margin, this series will help us re-center on our church mission and strengthen our spiritual roots.

When life gets stressful, we all default to coping mechanisms that feel familiar. In local churches, this often leads to clinging to traditions we associate with being Methodist, but John Wesley warned us about this. His greatest fear for the Methodist movement was that we might become a spiritually dead institution, focused inwardly rather than on the needs of others. To guard against this, Wesley gave us three guiding rules. After the challenges of 2024, and with 2025 unlikely to be easier, I want to ensure our church remains deeply grounded in these spiritual practices so we continue as vibrant, impactful Methodists who carry on this legacy of faith.

As with every series, you’ll get out of it what you put into it. To help you grow, I encourage you to engage in one or both of these ways:

1. Read the Book: There’s a concise book designed to guide you deeper into Wesley’s Rules. Reflecting on these spiritual principles will help you take ownership of this vital part of our Methodist heritage. (Available on Amazon.)
2. Discuss with Others: A small group guide is available to help you explore the book further. Gather a few church friends to work through it together. For an even greater challenge, invite someone you often disagree with to join—this can deepen your understanding and broaden your perspective. (Small group guide also available on Amazon.)

I’ll have five copies of each book available on Sunday if you’d like to check them out before purchasing. I’m excited to unpack these concepts with you and see how they strengthen our faith and mission!