Page 110 - God's Church through the Ages - Student Textbook

Study Section 19: The Great Revivalists

19.1 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
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study those men God used to bring about these great revivals of the 16 century. Let’s dive in…..
19.2 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.

19.3 John Wesley’s Conversion, 1738
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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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