The Commitment of "Band Societies."

During the 18th century, it is difficult to comprehend the impact of the Wesley brothers. I remember studying their lives in church history in seminary and being in awe of their discipline, dedication, wit, love for others and their love for God. I was also taken back by the "small group," which they led, called "Holy Club" on the campus of Oxford. Whitefield, too, was enamored by the rigor with which they conducted Christian discipline and accountability. But this is not a history lesson. For more on Wesley and Whitefield, I suggest going to the history books :)

My point here is to give you an excerpt from one of the "contracts" that one had to commit to in order to be in one of Wesley's (Samuel) "Holy Clubs" or "Band Societies." I am taking this from Mahaney's book on small groups. Here ya go:

"All who wished to join were required to answer the following questions as evidence of justification and an accompanying desire to grow in God:

1. Have you peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ?

2. Do you desire to be told of your faults?

3. Do you desire that every one of us should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever is in his heart concerning you?

4. Do you desire that we should tell you whatever we think, whatsoever we fear, whatsoever, we hear, concerning you?

5. Do you desire that, in doing this, we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom?

6. Is it your desire and design to be on this, and all other occasions, entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart without exception, without disguise, and without reserve?

After joining, group members could be asked the preceding questions "as often as occasion offers," while the following questions were asked at every meeting:

a. What know sin have you committed since our last meeting?

b. What temptations have you met with?

c. How were you delivered?

d. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?

Well, here you have it.

7.