The Religious Society of Friends is rooted in Christianity and has always found inspiration in the life and teachings of Jesus. How do you interpret your faith in the light of this heritage? How does Jesus speak to you today? Are you following Jesus’ example of love in action? Are you learning from his life the reality and cost of obedience to God? How does his relationship with God challenge and inspire you? — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #4
To whom or to what are you accountable? — New England Yearly Meeting Queries #7
Respect the wide diversity among us in our lives and relationships. Refrain from making prejudiced judgments about the life journeys of others. Do you foster the spirit of mutual understanding and forgiveness which our discipleship asks of us? Remember that each one of us is unique, precious, a child of God. — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #22
Do you work gladly with other religious groups in the pursuit of common goals? While remaining faithful to Quaker insights, try to enter imaginatively into the life and witness of other communities of faith, creating together the bonds of friendship. — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #6
Do you respect that of God in everyone though it may be expressed in unfamiliar ways or be difficult to discern? Each of us has a particular experience of God and each must find the way to be true to it. When words are strange or disturbing to you, try to sense where they come from and what has nourished the lives of others. Listen patiently and seek the truth which other people’s opinions may contain for you. Avoid hurtful criticism and provocative language. Do not allow the strength of your convictions to betray you into making statements or allegations that are unfair or untrue. Think it possible that you may be mistaken. — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #17
Do you welcome the diversity of culture, language and expressions of faith in our yearly meeting and in the world community of Friends? Seek to increase your understanding and to gain from this rich heritage and wide range of spiritual insights. Uphold your own and other yearly meetings in your prayers. — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #16
Seek to lead others to Truth through love. Let us teach by being ourselves teachable. We are all humble learners in the school of Christ. — New England Yearly Meeting #2
Examine your leadings through a process of discernment to determine whether or not they are grounded in the Spirit. Test your discernment with your faith community. — New England Yearly Meeting #10
How does your faith relate to the Christian heritage of the Religious Society of Friends? — New England Yearly Meeting Queries #8
With your sins and the sins of your parents: admit them, repent them, heal the wounds. — New England Yearly Meeting Young Adult Friends #8
Are your meetings for church affairs held in a spirit of worship and in dependence on the guidance of God? Remember that we do not seek a majority decision nor even consensus. As we wait patiently for divine guidance our experience is that the right way will open and we shall be led into unity. — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #14
Respect the wide diversity among us in our lives and relationships. Refrain from making prejudiced judgments about the life journeys of others. Do you foster the spirit of mutual understanding and forgiveness which our discipleship asks of us? Remember that each one of us is unique, precious, a child of God. — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #22
What calls us into a Religious Society? Do we grow together in faithfulness? — New England Yearly Meeting Queries #11
Be honest with yourself. What unpalatable truths might you be evading? When you recognise your shortcomings, do not let that discourage you. In worship together we can find the assurance of God’s love and the strength to go on with renewed courage. — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #11
A long-term relationship brings tensions as well as fulfilment. If your relationship with your partner is under strain, seek help in understanding the other’s point of view and in exploring your own feelings, which may be powerful and destructive. Consider the wishes and feelings of any children involved, and remember their enduring need for love and security. Seek God’s guidance. If you undergo the distress of separation or divorce, try to maintain some compassionate communication so that arrangements can be made with the minimum of bitterness. — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #25
No one human being or group has the full measure of the Light. Seek to understand the experience of those whose theology and practices differ from your own. Take opportunities to enter into prayer and work with the wider community of faith. Find ways to articulate your own faith so that it may be shared with others. — New England Yearly Meeting #5
Respect the laws of the state but let your first loyalty be to God’s purposes. If you feel impelled by strong conviction to break the law, search your conscience deeply. Ask your meeting for the prayerful support which will give you strength as a right way becomes clear. — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #35
Live adventurously. When choices arise, do you take the way that offers the fullest opportunity for the use of your gifts in the service of God and the community? Let your life speak. When decisions have to be made, are you ready to join with others in seeking clearness, asking for God’s guidance and offering counsel to one another? — Britain Yearly Meeting Advices #27
Do you recognize divinely inspired insight? Can you distinguish between divine leadings and your own needs or desires? — New England Yearly Meeting Queries #6
Know who you are spiritually, and trust God to know where you are going. — New England Yearly Meeting Young Adult Friends #12