Men's Bible Study · aligned to Methodist / Wesleyan
Did God Predestine Anyone to Hell? A Wesleyan Look at Double Predestination
God in His love offers grace to all and predestines no one to damnation; those who are lost are lost because they reject the grace freely held out to them, not because God decreed their ruin.
Review & safety checks
This is a well-structured, theologically coherent lesson that aligns clearly with Wesleyan-Arminian doctrine and the Wesleyan quadrilateral. Scripture citations are accurate and appropriately deployed. The charitable framing of double predestination is commendable and pastorally wise. The primary caution is to verify the paraphrase of Wesley's position on election against his actual sermon 'Free Grace' before delivery—the summary appears sound, but it should be confirmed in context to avoid misrepresenting Wesley's nuance. The application exercise is theologically congruent and pastorally sensitive. No plagiarism or major sensitivity flags detected. The lesson is ready for delivery with that one verification step.
- Caution · TheologyTeaching segment, movement (3), paragraph beginning 'John Wesley preached strongly'The lesson attributes a view to Wesley ('election is real, but it is God's gracious choice to save all who, by grace, trust Christ') that should be verified against his actual writings. Wesley's position on election and the extent of the atonement is nuanced; confirm this paraphrase matches his sermon 'Free Grace' and other key texts before presenting it as his settled view.
- Note · TheologyOpening & Framing the Question segmentThe lesson correctly sets a charitable tone toward Reformed theology. Confirm that your Methodist/Wesleyan context welcomes this ecumenical posture and that the group's doctrinal formation doesn't position Calvinism as inherently divisive—this looks sound, but verify it fits your congregation's approach.
Lesson plan
Open with a short prayer asking God for humility and clarity. Frame tonight's question honestly: 'Double predestination' is the teaching that God, from eternity, actively decreed some people to salvation AND others to damnation. Acknowledge up front that this is a real, serious doctrine held by sincere Christians (especially in the Reformed tradition). Tell the men our goal is not to win an argument or mock anyone, but to search the Scriptures and understand why Wesleyan-Arminian Christians believe God does not predestine anyone to hell. Set a charitable tone: we have brothers who land differently, and we love them.
Walk through the issue in three movements. (1) STATE THE VIEW FAIRLY. Double predestination claims God's eternal decree includes both election to glory and reprobation to damnation. Its strongest proof-text is Romans 9, especially 'vessels of wrath prepared for destruction' (Rom 9:22). Don't caricature it — note that those who hold it are trying to honor God's sovereignty and grace. (2) BRING THE FULL WITNESS OF SCRIPTURE. Read 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9, and Ezekiel 33:11. God 'desires all people to be saved,' is 'not wishing that any should perish,' and takes 'no pleasure in the death of the wicked.' Add John 3:16 and Titus 2:11 — salvation has 'appeared for all people.' A God who secretly decreed multitudes to hell while publicly declaring He wants none to perish would be divided against Himself. (3) THE WESLEYAN ANSWER. John Wesley preached strongly against unconditional reprobation (see his sermon 'Free Grace'), arguing it makes God less merciful than men and undercuts the gospel offer. Using the Wesleyan quadrilateral — Scripture first, confirmed by reason, the church's broad tradition, and Christian experience — we hold: God's PREVENIENT grace goes before every person, awakening and enabling response. Election is real, but it is God's gracious choice to save all who, by grace, trust Christ; condemnation is the tragic result of resisting grace, not a divine sentence handed down before birth. Romans 9 must be read in context (Rom 9-11) where Paul's burning concern is that Israel be saved (Rom 10:1) and where 'vessels of wrath' are those who 'stumbled over the stumbling stone' (Rom 9:32) by unbelief — not robots God built for hell. Land the plane: the cross is wide enough for everyone, and no one will stand before God able to say, 'You never gave me a chance.'
Move through the discussion questions below, starting light and moving to personal application. In a medium group, consider breaking into pairs or threes for the 'apply' questions, then regather for a few shared responses. Keep the charitable tone — if a man leans Calvinist, welcome it as iron sharpening iron.
Hand each man an index card. Ask them to write the name of one person in their life who is far from God — someone they might be tempted to think is 'too far gone.' Then, under the name, have them write 2 Peter 3:9 in their own words ('God is not willing for ___ to perish'). Invite them to keep the card in their wallet or Bible as a prompt to pray for and reach out to that person this week. The point made tangible: because God predestines no one to ruin, every name on every card is a legitimate target of grace. Close by having each man silently pray for the name on his card.
Thank God that His grace has appeared for all people. Pray that the men would rest in His goodness, trust His character, extend charity to brothers who see election differently, and carry the free-grace gospel to the names on their cards.
Discussion questions
- warmupBefore tonight, what had you heard or assumed about 'predestination'? Where did that idea come from?
- warmupWhen you read the doctrine of double predestination stated fairly, what part of it is people trying to protect or honor about God?
- digHow do passages like 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9, and Ezekiel 33:11 shape the way we should read a difficult text like Romans 9:22?
- digIf God genuinely 'desires all people to be saved,' what does that tell us about His character — and about the worth of every person we meet?
- digWesley taught that grace goes before us (prevenient grace), enabling our response. How does seeing both God's initiative AND our genuine response guard us from both pride and despair?
- applyHave you ever quietly written someone off as 'beyond saving'? How does 'not wishing that any should perish' confront that?
- applyWhat is one concrete way you'll pray for or pursue the person whose name is on your card this week?
- applyHow can you discuss election with a brother who disagrees in a way that builds unity rather than division?
Scripture
1 Timothy 2:3-4 (BSB) — This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9 (BSB) — The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
Ezekiel 33:11 (BSB) — Say to them: As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from his way and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?
John 3:16 (BSB) — For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Titus 2:11 (BSB) — For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.
Romans 9:22 (BSB) — What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath, prepared for destruction?
Romans 9:32 (BSB) — Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
Romans 10:1 (BSB) — Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.
1 Timothy 4:10 (BSB) — To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
Leader notes
Prep checklist
- Read the full passages in context, especially Romans 9-11, so you can handle 'vessels of wrath' fairly rather than as an isolated proof-text.
- Skim John Wesley's sermon 'Free Grace' and his note on prevenient grace so you can represent the Wesleyan position accurately.
- Prepare to state the double-predestination view CHARITABLY — practice summarizing it as its best advocates would, before responding.
- Anticipate that some men may hold or lean toward Reformed views; plan to honor them and keep the room safe and gracious.
- Time-check the teaching block: rehearse the three movements so you finish in 25 minutes and protect time for discussion and the card exercise.
- Pray ahead of time for any men in the group who may be wrestling with assurance or with a wayward loved one — this topic can hit close to home.
Materials
- Bibles for each man (or printed copies of the listed passages)
- Index cards (one per man) and pens for the application exercise
- Optional: a short printed quote from Wesley's 'Free Grace' for handout
- Whiteboard or flip chart to outline the three teaching movements
- Name tags if any guests are present
This took DiviNav about a minute. Make one for your church:
Try it free — no card