The General Rules

The General Rules are found in every edition ofThe Book of Discipline. They were developed by John Wesley in 1743 as guidelines for membership in the Methodist societies. The Rules are a simple and concise description of basic Christian practices, described by Wesley as "means of grace." The Rules are a guide to help the society and its individual members grow in holiness of heart and life. The General Rules are the Methodist rule of life:

"It is therefore expected … that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
First: By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced …

Secondly: By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all people …

Thirdly: By attending upon all the ordinances of God; such are:

• The public worship of God.
• The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded.
• The Supper of the Lord.
• Family and private prayer.
• Searching the Scriptures.
• Fasting or abstinence."

Today these General Rules are the rule of life for every United Methodist congregation. Every United Methodist should know them and be able to recite them by heart. The congregation must then provide a system of small groups that help professing members practice doing no harm, doing good, and attending upon all the ordinances of God. When congregations implement the simple steps, they will fulfill their mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

The General Rule of Discipleship

The General Rule of Discipleship is a contemporary restatement of the General Rules. It distills the General Rules down to a single, straightforward statement that can be easily memorized:

To witness to Jesus Christ in the world and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The General Rule of Discipleship is intended for those Christians who are ready and willing to be accountable for their growth in holiness of heart and life. They agree to meet weekly to "watch over one another in love." The agenda for the weekly meeting is a covenant shaped by the General Rule. This covenant is the group's rule of life. Over time, as the group meets and relationships of love and trust are formed, group members develop as leaders in discipleship for the congregation.

The General Rule of Discipleship is a succinct description of discipleship. It begins by acknowledging that a disciple is one who is a witness to Jesus Christ. This tells us that he or she knows Jesus and can tell others who Jesus is and what he is doing in the world.

Secondly, a disciple lives and witnesses in the world. This acknowledges that disciples, and the church, are to be for the world. Discipleship is not primarily about the enjoyment of personal blessings. It is much more about walking and serving with Christ who is at work in the world, particularly among the poor, the sick, the outcasts, and prisoners. When Christ calls us to follow him, he calls us to follow him into the world that he loves.

Thirdly, a disciple follows Jesus by imitating him. The General Rule tells us that discipleship is a relationship with Christ. Like any significant relationship, disciples participate in practices that draw them to Christ and keep them with him. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Self-denial is putting the needs and interests of the beloved ahead of your own. In the context of discipleship, the grace of Christ enables you to make Christ's interests your own. The cross disciples must take up each day is obedience to Jesus' teachings summarized in Mark 12:30-31: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength . . .You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Disciples grow in loving God (the cross' vertical axis) through practicing acts of worship and devotion. Disciples grow in loving God by loving those whom God loves, as God loves them through acts of compassion and justice (the cross' horizontal axis). As disciples, the cross of obedience to Jesus' commands they open themselves to grace and grow in holiness of heart and life.

Finally, the General Rule of Discipleship tells us that witnessing to Jesus Christ in the world and following his teachings are guided by the Holy Spirit. This tells us that disciples cannot follow Jesus alone, by their own will or strength. Only the Holy Spirit, working in them by grace, makes discipleship and subsequent growth in holiness of heart and life possible.