God loves us enough to meet us where we are, and loves us too much to leave us there.
Growing in God’s grace is a lifelong journey.
Growing in God’s grace is a lifelong journey.
Scripture Orientation: Ephesians 3:14-19 (NRSVUE)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Theological Perspective: It’s All About Love
Life in Christ, from a Wesleyan perspective, involves growth in grace and love. Our lives are rooted in God’s unbounded love and transformed by God’s universal grace. The Christian journey entails the restoration of God’s image in our lives and growth into deeper levels of love for God and neighbor.
Homiletical Perspective:
Three important points:
- Following Jesus isn’t merely a one time decision but a way of life intended to change us from the inside out.
- God heals and empowers us to increasingly love others the way that God has loved us in Jesus, and in the process we are transformed into the image of Christ and made a new creation.
- As we follow Jesus daily, we grow into deeper levels of love for God and neighbor, which changes the orientation of our hearts and how we see the world.
So what?
As you introduce the sermon, you may want to reflect on parts of our shared human experience that help people see why the sermon is important, and raise questions that create anticipation.
As you introduce the sermon, you may want to reflect on parts of our shared human experience that help people see why the sermon is important, and raise questions that create anticipation.
Downloadable Resources
Wesley Resources
- John Wesley sermon: The One Thing Needful (146)
- Prayer and Charles Wesley hymn - Click here to download.
Sermons
- "Grow Deeply: A Sermon on Spiritual Practices for the Wesleyan Rooted Worship Series" - Sample sermon by Rev. Magrey R. deVega
- "Grow Deeply - What makes us Wesleyan and unique?" - Sample sermon by Rev. Dr. Susan Gray
Worship and Liturgical Resources
Click here to download traditional and contemporary music suggestions, prayers and liturgies.
Reflection Questions and Spiritual Practices
Click here for reflection questions suitable for individual or small group study, along with suggested exercises for the week.
Small Group Guide - Each guide contains a short introduction to the series/guide, a sample lesson plan and prayers for each week.
Small Group Guide in Spanish.
Bulletin inserts/handouts with discussion questions and scripture readings - courtesy of Centreville UMC, Centreville, MI
Family Resources
Big Hearts, Bright Love: The Wesleyan Adventure of Growing in God's Love tells the story of Sam, Chaz, Suzi, Juan and Wes as they go on an adventure to learn of God's love. The book includes a Family Discussion guide with questions, prayers, challenges and devotions. Created by: Rev Madeline Luzinski (Family Discussion Guide), Rev. Dr. Latricia Scriven (children's story) and Rev. Dr. Hedy Collver (illustrations & design).
Click here to download the "Grow Deeply" section.
Click here to download the "Grow Deeply" section.
Order your copy and support children in need across Florida.To order a copy of Big Hearts, Bright Love, click here. Net proceeds from the sale of each book will benefit Residing Hope (formerly the Florida United Methodist Children's Home).
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Sermon Bumper Videos
Click play button, then click the icon in bottom right to download.
Grow Deeply Sermon Bumper - 0:36 seconds
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Grow Deeply Sermon Bumper with SUBTITLES - 0:36 seconds
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Slide Template
Promotional Graphics
Social Media Story Bundle (6 graphics)
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Instagram Post Bundle (6 graphics)
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