Faith and Practice
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Part III: Friends Practices
Chapter 6-Faith and Practice: A Personal Inventory
The following list of questions, with related passages of Scripture, is intended to serve as a reminder of Friends standards of moral and spiritual life. They should be read at least once a year in local business sessions and in area meetings. The use of these questions can help individuals to examine themselves to see if their lives are consistent with Christian principles as held by Friends. Serious consideration of these questions should tend to promote the spiritual welfare of individuals as well as that of the church as a whole.
1. Do you live a life of personal dedication and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ?
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment" Mark 12:30.2. Do you love others and live in harmony with them avoiding gossip, destructive criticism, and seeking to end differences as quickly as possible?
"Love one another; as I have loved you, also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" John 13:34, 35.3. Do you regularly attend the services of your church and participate in them actively?
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" Hebrews 10:25.4. Do you bring up your children according to principles of the Christian faith?
"Provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" Ephesians 6:4.5. Do you practice Christian temperance in all things, including abstinence from harmful products and activities?
"Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things." 1 Corinthians 9:25.6. Do you exercise your rights and duties as a citizen, seeking to bring Christian influence to government?
"Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor" Romans 13:7.7. Do you promote the principles of peace, supporting Christian movements to do away with war and preparation for war?
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" Hebrews 12:14.8. Do you maintain a simple lifestyle, living within your means, practicing personal honesty and integrity consistent with Christian standards?
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" Matthew 6:33a.9. Do you recognize material and spiritual needs of others and help to minister to them?
"Whoso hath the world’s goods and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth" 1 John 3:17, 18.10. Do you uphold doctrinal beliefs of this Yearly Meeting and support its ministries?
"Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them" 1 Timothy 4:16a.
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