Earticle

초록

영어

This study proposes a "Small Group First–Sermon Later Model“ grounded in John Wesley's Standard Sermons and the small-group traditions of early Methodism. Although small-group ministry has become a central feature of contemporary church life, its formative role is often confined to fellowship, pastoral care, and post-sermon discussion. This study argues that a renewed integration of preaching and small-group ministry is essential for cultivating mature Christian discipleship. The theological foundation of the model is developed through four central themes in Wesley's Standard Sermons: faith, sanctification, the means of grace, and holy love. These convictions were embodied in early Methodist societies, class meetings, and bands, which functioned as communities of accountability, discipleship, and spiritual formation. Building on this foundation, the study critiques the conventional "sermon first, discussion later" approach, which often leaves believers as passive recipients of theological interpretation. In response, it proposes a reversed framework in which participants engage selected portions of Wesley's Standard Sermons through preparatory reading, personal reflection, and small-group interpretation before congregational interpretation. The sermon then provides biblical interpretation, theological integration, and pastoral guidance. The model consists of interconnected stages including preparatory reading, individual reflection, small-group interpretation, leader feedback, congregational Interpretation, practical application, and communal evaluation. Through this cyclical process, preaching and small-group ministry function as complementary dimensions of a unified process of spiritual formation. Grounded in Wesley's theology and early Methodist practice, the proposed model offers a practical-theological framework for strengthening theological engagement, spiritual maturity, communal accountability, and Christian discipleship in the contemporary church.

목차

I. Introduction
II. The Theological Foundations of Wesley’s Standard Sermons
1. The Significance of Wesley’s Standard Sermons
2. The Theology of Faith and Sanctification
3. The Means of Grace and the Practice of Love
III. Wesleyan Small-Group Traditions and Communal Spiritual Formation
1. Early Methodist Communities and Small-Group Structures
2. Small Groups as Structures of Sanctification and Church Reform
3. The Significance of the “Small Group First–Sermon Later Model”
IV. Limitations of Contemporary Church Small Groups and the Need for Transformation
1. The Reality and Limitations of Small-Group Ministry in the Korean Church
2. The Limitations of the Post-Sermon Discussion Structure and Passive Understandings of Faith: The Need for a “Small Group First–Sermon Later” Framework
3. The Need for Believers’ Prior Interpretation and Pastoral Theological Integration
V. Design of the “Small Group First–Sermon Later Model”
1. The Basic Concept and Purpose of the Model
2. Target Participants and Foundational Conditions of the Model
3. The Overall Process of the Model
4. Preliminary Training for Pastors and Leaders
5. Participants’ Preparatory Reading and Individual Assignments
6. The Structure of the Small Group’s Prior Interpretive Gathering
7. Theological Integration through the Corporate Sermon
8. Practice and the Feedback Structure
9. The Faith-Formational Significance of the Model
VI. Applicability and Limitations in the Contemporary Church
1. Potential for Pilot Implementation among Younger Generations
2. A Collaborative Structure between Pastors and Leaders
3. Limitations of the Model and Areas for Improvement
VII. Conclusion
Bibliography
Abstract

키워드

저자

• Choi, Jung-Hu [ Hoseo University ]
• Hwang, Byung-June [ Hoseo University ]

참고문헌

발행기관

간행물

표지보기 관심저널 등록

• 간행물명

  신학과 실천 [Theology and Praxis]

• 간기

  연5회

• pISSN

  1229-7917

• 수록기간

  1997~2026

• 등재여부

  KCI 등재

• 십진분류

  KDC 230 DDC 230