Mission with Prophetic Power: The Journal of John Woolman (SRSC 12)

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Mission with Prophetic Power: The Journal of John Woolman

Discussion Questions

What was a big insight or “take away” from your experience of reading this portion of John Woolman’s Journal ?

The Church (and churches) has had periods of revival and decline throughout the history of the Christian faith. Indeed, the book of Judges

tells of the cycles of development and decline among the people of God even prior to the formation of an Israelite nation. In this section of Woolman’s Journal we hear of an old man who suggests the Quaker community has declined in vibrancy of faith in recent decades. It appears that Woolman sympathizes with the man, yet takes a broader view of the progress of the Church, each breakthrough opening a door for further breakthroughs. How do you view the Church (or your own church or denomination) today? What factors seem to influence the progress or decline of God’s people? How might we respond to the developments in the condition of the Church?

Regarding the slavery question, there were times when Woolman felt that the incentives to free slaves were too minimal and the profit

to be gained by the trade was too great. Perhaps it was necessary for the Legislature to pass a law. Yet Woolman also had concerns about involvement in government. Were followers of Christ who served in government necessarily led into compromises with the Gospel? Quakers of