I spent the last two weeks in Melbourne taking care of our two-year-old granddaughter so that her parents could attend medical appointments with their newborn. It was a lot of fun! We had great times reading together, playing games, and building with Lego.

While Elizabeth was at play school, I took a class with Paul Watson at his Contagious Disciple-Making University. Last week’s lesson was convicting because Paul introduced us to a set of spiritual questions first used by John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement.

Wesley designed these questions to help his friends stay spiritually awake—asking one another how they were really doing in their walk with Christ. As I listened, I realised how practical and timeless his approach still is. It’s not about rules or guilt, but about staying honest before God and growing in grace.

As I looked through the questions, I realised that during my busy time in Melbourne, I had neglected reading God’s Word. On the way home, it became clear why. I normally read the Bible while having breakfast — but with Elizabeth crawling into bed in the morning, asking me to read storybooks, and then rushing through breakfast, the day was nonstop action.

Honestly, I don’t know how young mothers get any time to themselves! Still, as I reflected, I realised I could have chosen to read the Bible while Elizabeth napped or after she went to sleep. Instead, I focused on the projects I thought my team expected me to finish.

That’s where repentance comes in. Repentance means acknowledging that I was wrong — and then making a plan to do things differently next time. Here are some of the kinds of questions John Wesley asked his disciples:

• Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am?
• Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence?
• Am I enjoying prayer?
• Did the Bible live in me today?
• Am I defeated in any part of my life?

If we want to be disciples worth multiplying — people whose lives reflect Jesus so that others want to follow Him too — then our lives need to keep being shaped by Him.

I’d encourage you to take some time this week to review your own walk with the Lord. The goal isn’t guilt — it’s growth.

You can get the complete Examen at https://www.umc.org/en/content/john-wesleys-22-questions-of-self-examination

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, thank you that you have already paid for all my sins. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. Show me the areas where I should repent — acknowledging what I have done wrong and how that has affected others, and then working out a plan to do things differently in the future. I look forward to how you will be changing my life because I want to see your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

This week:

Ask the Lord to show you one area where He wants to bring change — and make a plan to live that out.

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