Five Means of Grace: Experience God's Love the Wesleyan Way

by Elaine A. Heath

John Wesley gave the Methodist movement (and all Christians in general) a discipleship pathway to follow. Wesley began with Three Simple Rules (or "General Rules"), and followed this instruction a year later with the Five Marks of a Methodist (or "Character of a Methodist"). Wesley observed the need for continuous renewal of relationships with God and others, so he established a recurring annual process for God's people to make One Faithful Promise: The Wesleyan Covenant for Renewal. The study by Heath turns to the practices at the center of Wesley's understanding of spiritual growth: the means of grace.

This book/study guides readers through the five means of grace that John Wesley called "instituted," meaning these are spiritual practices in which Jesus himself participated and which he encouraged his followers to do. One of the beautiful aspects of Wesley's theology is that spiritual practices are seamlessly integrated with practices of loving our neighbors well. This is why Wesley said there is no holiness but social holiness. A life of genuine prayer inevitably leads to a life of hospitality, mercy, and justice.

Through this book/study participants will consider how each of the five means of grace help us as communities of faith to pray more deeply and live more missionally as followers of Jesus Christ. These means are the ordinary channels that God uses to draw us into a fruitful relationship. These five means or channels are:
1. Prayer
2. Searching Scripture
3. Receiving the Lord's Supper
4. Fasting
5. Conferencing (communion, fellowship)

"Surely John Wesley wanted his teachings to be presented in clear and understandable ways. Elaine Heath's teaching on the Five Means of Grace are simple and engaging with deep truths. Your group will love it!" - Jennifer Cowart (Executive pastor at Harvest Church, a United Methodist congregation in Warner Robins, GA, near Macon. She co-preaches and directs Discipleship and Emerging Ministries at Harvest UMC.)

"Elaine Heath is one of the church's great teachers and prophets. With engaging stories and clear understanding of Scripture she invites us to experience God's love through ancient practices that we desperately need. I will be using Five Means of Grace with my congregation as an invitation for those seeking a deeper pathway into discipleship." - Rev. Jacob Armstrong, Providence United Methodist Church, Mount Juliet TN.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity

80 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Jason Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prayer calls us to action.

Great overview of the means of grace and Wesleyan theology. Heath especially reminds the reader that by opening ourselves to the Spirit through these means, we are called to serve.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an introductory examination of spiritual disciplines in the Wesleyan tradition. It can be read as a devotional book or group study.

[John Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take one look at the book and it's obviously short and to the point. For that reason, it's probably an excellent read for church Bible study/book groups. No one will have difficulty reading chapters from session to session. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter also focus in on the reader's own experience, rather than 'study' questions to prove you've read the chapter, which again will properly engage church groups meeting together to discuss reading the book.

The shortness of it is not a detriment, in the end, if the book is indeed read by those already committed to reading the book in a small group. In that context, Heath's explorations of each means of grace, and what they are generally, and why they are important, are anecdotally meaningful. Imagine now what impact these means of grace can have in YOUR life. It can be a powerful book read in that context. Heath doesn't try to do more than encourage this type of reader into developing these means of grace.

For other readers, though, in particular readers who may want to know more about either the theology behind grace, the means of grace, or alternate ways of practicing the means, will probably be left feeling a little shorted. For these readers, Heath's book will be more like a primer or preparation for further study.

[AngelaGay Kinkead · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book. Heath's pick of 5 essential means of grace were to the point. Observe these spiritual practices, you will be enriched, but you must act to change the world around you. Fasting as a way of praying for others and staying with it until there is a breakthrough. How does Holy Communion or worship or searching (embracing) scripture help you love it but share it? Our adult Sunday School class enjoyed it. Took 10 weeks to complete 5 chapters. Good discussions. The only difficulty was th0se size of the book. Adults 50-80+ and the print was too small for most. Had to enlarge it.

[Susan Featheringill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice short read but is great as part of a group study. I participated in the study earlier this year but did not have the book when I did the study. To read the chapters each week before the study would have been helpful but I missed doing that part. Not sure why I waited so long to read it - well it is because this is the year 2020 and that makes everything a little odd and hard to get everything together. For 2021 I plan to work on the Five Means of Grace and start with prayer.

[Fred Eisenhut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful explanation of John Wesley's thinking about Grace both as it comes from God and how we share it with others.

[Vickie Brannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little book and thought it was easy to understand. It made a great morning devotional book for me. I would recommend using it for a 5-6 week group study.

[Emily Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, practical, refreshing!

[Brad Neuhauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise overview of Wesley's means of grace with well-chosen stories from author's life to illustrate

[Jennifer Wyant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why it's so short. But a good intro book for teaching this to church members.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read about facets of Grace. Used for a Lent study

[Tomi Alger · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read and discussed this book for a book study at Church. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and we learned about God's grace to us. The five means of grace are prayer, searching the Scriptures, the Lord's Supper, fasting, and Christian conferencing. I highly recommend this book.