Everyday Disciples: John Wesley’s 22 Questions
A Call to Honest, Courageous, Daily Self-Examination
More than 200 years ago, Rev. John Wesley and a small group of young believers formed what they called the Holy Club—a community committed to spiritual discipline, accountability, and genuine Christian living. Their goal was simple yet profound: to become everyday disciples whose faith shaped their character, decisions, relationships, and witness to the world.
To stay spiritually awake, Wesley led the group in asking themselves 22 searching questions every single day. These questions were not designed to produce guilt—but to create clarity, humility, honesty, and holiness. They invited believers to look within, confront their weaknesses, celebrate their victories, and allow Christ to transform every part of their lives.
Today, in a world overflowing with distractions, pressures, performative spirituality, and shallow connections, Wesley’s questions feel more relevant than ever. They challenge us to slow down… reflect… and listen for the quiet voice of God in our hearts.
As you read them, take a moment to imagine:
What if we paused each day to ask ourselves even a few of these?
What might God transform in us? In our families? In our church? In our community?
May these questions speak to you today—just as they have shaped generations of Methodists for centuries.
The 22 Questions of John Wesley’s Holy Club
- Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
- Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
- Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
- Can I be trusted?
- Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
- Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
- Did the Bible live in me today?
- Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
- Am I enjoying prayer?
- When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
- Do I pray about the money I spend?
- Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
- Do I disobey God in anything?
- Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
- Am I defeated in any part of my life?
- Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
- How do I spend my spare time?
- Am I proud?
- Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
- Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
- Do I grumble or complain constantly?
- Is Christ real to me?
Why These Questions Matter Today
These questions are more than an exercise—they are an invitation:
- To live a transparent and authentic faith.
- To allow Scripture and prayer to shape our daily lives.
- To confront hidden habits that slowly drain our spiritual strength.
- To restore relationships that have been strained or broken.
- To rediscover the joy, peace, and purpose that come from walking closely with Christ.
In today’s busy world, spiritual disciplines can easily slip away. These questions help us pause—and return to the One who restores our soul.
A Personal Challenge for the Week
Choose one question each day this week.
Write it down.
Reflect on it.
Talk to God about it.
You may discover that God has been waiting to speak into places you haven’t visited in a long time.
