Page 34 - History of Christianity II- Textbook

Study Section 7: The Great Revivalists

7.1 Connect
Have you ever attended a series of revival services? Their purpose is to help people who
have become lackadaisical in their faith fall more in love with Jesus Christ and determine to
be more committed to Him in their daily walk. God uses gifted preachers to touch the very
heart of the listeners to deal with sin in their lives and to commit to serving Jesus Christ
more faithfully. It is a really amazing time.

In church history, God used several key individuals to bring about an awakening in Europe and in
America that change the direction of history. Thousands heard the Gospel and more thousands were
revived in their faith. Whole communities were totally changed. Bars closed and crime almost ceased
to exist. Today we are going to study those men God used to bring about these great revivals of the 16
th
century. Let’s dive in…..

7.2 Objectives
1. The student should be able to give a biographical sketch of the Wesley brothers and how God
used them to bring thousands to Christ.

2. The student should be able to contrast the life of David Hume with those of the great
revivalists.

3. The student should be able to give a biographical sketch of the George Whitfield and how God used
him to bring about one of the greatest revivals of all time.

7.3 John Wesley’s Conversion, 1738
https://www.biographyonline.net/spiritual/john-wesley.html

John Wesley (1703-1791), Prolific English preacher and founder of
Methodism. Wesley travelled extensively preaching the message
that everyone could have a relationship with God.

John Wesley was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, in 1703. His father was a rector,
and John was brought up in a deeply religious atmosphere. At the age of five,
he was rescued from a burning rectory which left a lasting impression on him of the grace of God. Yet, at
Charterhouse school, he was traumatized by bullying from other pupils. This contributed to a self-doubt
which lasted through his life.

In 1735, Wesley and his brother Charles sailed to Savannah in Georgia, America to become the minister
of a new parish.

On his voyage, Wesley became deeply impressed by the calm faith of the Moravian settlers. When a
storm terrified the passengers, Wesley noted how the Moravians remained calm singing their hymns
and praying. This encouraged him to look more deeply at their religious practices and piety.
However, Wesley left Georgia under a cloud after a relationship with a woman turned sour. She claimed
Wesley had promised to marry her, but Wesley had broken off the relationship. Wesley was tried for
breaking his word; this resulted in a mistrial and, after this experience, he left America to return to
England.

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