Resources for the Christian Journey
It is not enough to merely write about topics, we must, at some point, begin to put them into effect. The articles featured on The Earnest Wesleyan often talk about Christian formation, especially when it comes to catechesis, spiritual rhythms (especially in the Prayer Book tradition), and doctrinal formation. We believe these things are essential parts of the Christian journey. Therefore, this page exists to give you a starting place on where to begin to think through these ideas on a larger scale. This is not a comprehensive list, but it’ll get you going in the right direction. Please reach out via theearnestwesleyan@gmail.com or send a message here on Substack if you would like to explore any of these topics further.
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Catechesis
Catechesis is essential to Christian formation and a desperately needed discipline in need of reclamation across all Christian traditions. Here you will find some resources to help you understand and engage with catechesis. If you are not a pastor or church leader, this section is for you too—catechesis must occur in the home alongside the parish.
Books to Read
Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way by J.I Packer and Gary A. Parrett — This resource will help you establish a vision for catechesis, give historical context, and guide you through what building a catechesis program looks like.
You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K.A. Smith — In this spectacular resource, James K.A. Smith outlines the power that habits have on our whole lives. Everything is spiritual, and everything has power over us if we let it. This book is not directly about catechesis, but after reading it, you will be equipped to see the necessity of rhythms and formation.
Instructing Believers in the Faith by St. Augustine of Hippo — This is a classic of Christian formation. By exploring how the church of Augustine’s day made disciples, we can be better equipped to make disciples ourselves.
The Collected Christian Essentials: Catechism: A Guide to the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer by Peter J. Leithart, Ben Myers, and Wesley Hill — This book is not so much an actual catechism as it is a spiritual devotional and guide to deeper study on the catechism. What some people miss is that catechisms are not random Q + A’s on spiritual topics, they are crafted around three pillars of our faith: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. This book takes those pillars and invites you to consider them deeper than mere answers to questions in a catechism.
Recommended Catechisms
Wesley’s Revision of The Westminster Shorter Catechism - This is a classic catechism, the Westminster Shorter, with some edits by John Wesley. Notably, this edition preserves the original catechism, and notes the edits by Wesley. It also includes fantastic explanatory notes by James Alexander MacDonald.
To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism - Few catechisms are as comprehensive as To Be A Christian. This catechism, crafted under the leadership of J.I. Packer, offers a comprehensive and detailed look at the Christian faith from a mere Protestant perspective. Notably, if you found Packer’s vision in Grounded in the Gospel compelling, this catechism is the natural outgrowth of that vision.
A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine for the Global Methodist Church - This new catechism outlines the Global Methodist vision for Christian formation. Comprehensive but short, it strikes a balance. It is also available in an annotated edition by David A. deSilva.
Models of Parish Catechesis
Catechesis in the Anglican Diocese of Canada - A website containing many resources, but of particular note is their God’s Big Story curriculum.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - A montessori-esque approach to catechesis.
Catechesis Renewal - An organization devoted to renewing catechesis across Christian traditions. Exploring their site will leave you with a wealth of resources for catechesis in the parish and in the home.
Catechesis Program of Rancho Cucamonga Anglican Church - A comprehensive walkthrough of their parish catechesis program.
Catechesis Program of Christ the King Anglican Church - A detailed catechesis program with multiple classes and video lessons.
Global Methodist Catechism Series - Hosted by Rev. Jeffrey Rickman of PlainSpoken, he walks through the new GMC catechism with his daughter.
Daily Prayer and BCPs
The Book of Common Prayer and the Daily Offices are the forgotten heart of the Wesleyan faith, but are so spiritually formative all Christians ought to adopt the Daily Office in some form. They are also doctrine, as we pray what we believe, and we believe what we pray.
Book of Common Prayer (2019)
This 2019 edition of the BCP was developed by the Anglican Church in North America as a return to form after the liturgical revisionism of the 20th century. Taking away the best insights from recent liturgical scholarship, it maintains the essence of Cranmer’s genius in the BCP with modern language and additional features. The Daily Office from this prayer book can be prayed on the accessible Daily Office 2019 website, iOS app, and Android app. It is also available in a traditional language edition and an edition set to chant called the St. Bernard Breviary.
Book of Common Prayer (1662:IE)
The International Edition is a recent release, making precision updates to the 1662 BCP and making it international, rather than specific to England. This is essentially the BCP Wesley used daily and what he used to craft his Sunday Service for the Methodists. Like the 2019, the Daily Office 1662:IE website conveniently displays Morning and Evening Prayer. If you want to pray exactly like Wesley did, this is your best option.
Methodist Prayer
Methodist Prayer is not available in book form, but is a website offering Morning and Evening Prayer based on the Daily Offices of The Book of Common Prayer, with additions like common Methodist hymns. It was created by Shane Raynor, a Global Methodist.
Field Guide for Daily Prayer
If The Book of Common Prayer intimidates you, these Field Guides for Daily Prayer (also available for Family Prayer) are a great tool to cut your teeth on. Offering the Daily Office in a simplified and hassle-free format, they are based on the 2019 BCP and are very easy to use, great to hand out en masse to church members, put in a stocking as a stocking stuffer, or just carry around in your pocket to take with you.
