Wanting More: Advent, Christmas and Epiphany (Michael Roberts: The Seasons of the Christian year inspired by the teachings of John Wesley)

Wanting More is a six-week Advent study, plus a six-week Epiphany study.

Dr. Michael Roberts, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas delivers this powerful book containing two studies in one. First, Wanting More includes a six-week Advent study based on Advent sermons by Methodist founder John Wesley. The second half of the book includes a six-week study to be used during the season of Ephiphany, also based on sermons by John Wesley.

Advent is a season marked by wishing and wanting. It can also be a time to open our hearts to all that God wants for us. Grounding ourselves in deep traditions of the faith, can help us discover the desires that God has planted within. That is the hope of this series.

In each chapter there is:

· a paraphrase of a sermon from Wesley (organized to fit within the liturgical year)
· a devotion on the same theme, and
· reflections for personal devotion and discipling

The series for Advent and Christmas is entitled “Wanting More,” with explorations into the maps, means, and methods of the season, the true reason for the season, and the blessings that come in the midst of it all. The series for Epiphany takes the first eight sermons in the standard sermons of Wesley and puts them into the theme, “More Than.” Topics include More Than a Ticket to Heaven, More Than ‘Almost,’ More Than Physically Awake, More Than Doctrine, More Than Being Good, More Than Obedience, More Than Religion, and More Than Fearful Faith.

What Readers are Saying:

Whether you are clergy or a lay person, I highly recommend reading this book, Wanting More . In Wesley’s time, his writings were meant to bring about spiritual revival in the church; much in the same way it is needed in our churches today. Wanting More is a great read to deepen our spiritual connections to each other and to God through the writings of John Wesley.

Bishop Robert Farr
Missouri Annual Conference and author of Obvious Wisdom: 52 Tips for Effective Ministry

This is an excellent resource for congregations as an Advent-Epiphany study or for pastors as a treasure trove for preaching. This book brings Wesleyan theology to life for our time, offering “plain truth for plain people.”
Rebekah Miles
Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

Wanting More offers a fresh reading into the timeless sermons of John Wesley, and connects its truths to our journeys through Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. What this book has achieved is simply beautiful: in reintroducing us to the words of Wesley, we rediscover ourselves in the grand story of God’s love, incarnate in Jesus.
Magrey R. deVega
Author o f The Christmas Letters: Celebrating Advent with Those Who Told the Story First

With this book, Michael Roberts, with Lauren DeLano Grosskopf, provide us with a resource that is both theologically grounded and deeply spiritual. We are invited to be fellow travelers into the Wesleyan way, seeking Christian community, compassion, and joy.
Bishop Laura Merrill
Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conferences of The United Methodist Church

Michael Roberts is an insightful pastor and leader who I deeply appreciate. This work to draw from Wesley’s message in order to illuminate the seasons of the church year is a gift to the church.
Adam Hamilton
Pastor and author of The Message of Jesus

A book like this has been needed for a long time. Wanting More is perfect for an individual’s reflection or to study as a group.
David Livingston
Author of Getting to Good: Moving Toward a Fuller, More Abundant Life Right Now