John Wesley: Faith That Sparked the Methodist Movement | Full Movie

John Wesley was an 18th-century Anglican cleric and theologian who is credited with founding the Methodist movement within Christianity.

The Methodist movement was sparked by John Wesley's emphasis on the need for a personal experience of faith, his itinerant preaching, and his use of small groups known as 'class meetings' to support spiritual growth.

John Wesley was born in 1703 in Epworth, England. He was the son of Samuel Wesley, a rector, and his mother, Susanna, who were influential in his education and religious upbringing.

The Holy Club was formed by John and Charles Wesley during their time at Oxford. It was a group focused on studying the Bible and living a disciplined Christian life, which laid the foundations for the Methodist movement.

Wesley's mission trip to America was significant because it exposed him to Moravian missionaries, whose faith and practice left a deep impact on him, leading to an evangelical conversion upon his return to England.

The Aldersgate experience refers to a pivotal moment on 24 May 1738, when Wesley felt his heart 'strangely warmed' as he listened to a reading of Martin Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans, marking his conversion experience.

Field preaching was a method of spreading the Gospel outside of church walls, often in open-air settings, which Wesley used to reach large audiences who were outside the traditional church.

Methodism emphasizes salvation by faith, personal holiness, social justice, and the importance of works as an expression of faith. It encourages a disciplined, practical approach to spirituality.

Wesley implemented an organisational structure with societies, classes, and bands that facilitated pastoral care, spiritual growth, and mutual accountability among members.

Wesley believed in taking the message of the Gospel directly to people, irrespective of location, which led him to travel extensively across the British Isles on horseback, covering thousands of miles.

Wesley advocated for social issues such as education, prison reform, and the abolition of slavery, integrating the practice of his faith with social action.

Wesley was a proponent of education for all, establishing schools and using literacy as a tool for empowerment. He regarded knowledge as vital to spiritual and social development.

Despite his foundational role in Methodism, Wesley remained a lifelong Anglican priest and sought to reform the Church from within, rather than creating a separate denomination, which came posthumously.

The Methodist hymnal, shaped significantly by Wesley and his brother Charles, played a crucial role in worship and teaching theology through music, making it accessible to all believers.

Wesley's legacy includes the global Methodist Church, his influence on Christian spirituality and social justice, and his innovative approaches to ministry and evangelism that continue to inspire.