Unity seems elusive to us these days.  Yet unity is something Jesus cared deeply about for all believers.  He cared so much about it, that it was one of the last things he prayed about before he entered the Garden of Gethsemane, where he was soon arrested.

“I ask not only on behalf of these [disciples] but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)

I don’t think Jesus was talking about everyone belonging to the same church, and practicing their faith in the exact same way.  I think Jesus was talking about the unity of community which is at the heart of the gospel.

The Bible is full of “one anothers” – love one another, live in harmony with one another, build up one another, accept one another, care for one another, be patient with one another, teach one another, encourage one another, pray for one another.  The list goes on.

We’re not supposed to go through life alone.  John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, knew the value of community among believers, and one of the ways he promoted community is through the use of class meetings.

In a class meeting, members ask each other, “How is it with your soul?”  It’s the only question on the table.

I’m in a class meeting here at Centreville UMC, along with four other people, and I have found it deeply meaningful.  We meet weekly to share how we feel about our relationship with God, and how we see God at work in our lives.

It’s a place of vulnerability, and I have found it a bit surprising how quickly we have all become comfortable sharing with each other.  It’s not a place to confess all our sins.  Rather, it’s a place to encourage and learn from each other, and a place to share our burdens.

It also provides a level of accountability in our walk with God.  Not because we chastise each other for not following through on our goals, but because each of us wants to follow through on our own goals that we have shared with the other members of the class meeting.

All five of us look forward to our time together.  Being in a class meeting, and knowing we will need to answer that one question helps us pay attention.

We need each other to help us get where God wants to take us.

How about you?  Who do you have in your life to do this with you?

Being in an existing small group that focuses on content-driven studies and Bible studies is not necessarily the same thing.  But groups like these can adapt and include time for everyone to share their answer to the question, “How is it with your soul?”

If this pricks your interest at all, don’t ignore that feeling.  God is calling you to take the next step.

Contact me at kwu@centreville-umc.org if this is something you want to pursue.