Band of Brothers or On The Lost Arts of Holiness

John Wesley had this idea. He would put the members of the Methodist society into bands. A band had half a dozen people of the same gender, so you’d have like a band of brothers or a band of sisters. These bands were a component of the grand schema to foster a spiritual formation that would create holy Christian, well advanced toward perfect love. The bands created a mutual spiritual direction and accountability. Here we have a practice that we have largely forgotten. Wesley Tracy notes that the Wesleyan tradition has also forgotten (Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls 122).

I am struck by the concept. It seems in our efforts to create viable small groups the revitalization of these Wesleyan methods would be a good idea and not just for Methodists! The questions that Wesley prescribes for bands to consider are relevant and pointed for today (Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls 121).

1. What temptations have you met with?
2. How were you delivered?
3. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?
4. Have you nothing you desire to keep secret?

As are the questions Foster offers for group examen.


I think these questions could fit well into the structure of inductive bible study that we engage in on Sunday nights. The fellowship and connection having been established, it would be a powerful time to explore the deeper life through this group direction.

I love the full on integration intended in the Wesleyan societies, especially including families. I am thinking it would be cool to incorporate some of Wesley’s order for family devotions, which expand on the one from the Book of Common Prayer, with the notable addition of the blessing the parent gives to each child and is never withheld no matter how bad they have been (Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls 123).