The ordinary means of grace (sometimes the means of grace) (“OMG”, “MG”) are the God ordained ordinary channels by which the Holy Spirit enables believers to receive Christ and the benefits of redemption (Note 1). They are outward signs of discipleship and sanctification. The means of grace is unmerited divine assistance given to humans by God, activated through the Holy Spirit for our regeneration and sanctification.

The Bible speaks of five primary means of grace: i) study of The Word, ii) hearing the Word preached, iii) taking the sacraments, iv) prayer, and v) fellowship.

In his foundational sermon on means of grace, John Wesley defined the primary means of grace to be prayer, the Scriptures, and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Note 2) (Note 3).

In our ordinary, everyday, walking-around life @WhatNow2Do subscribes to this starting point:
1. The Word; reading it, studying it, and hearing it preached.
2. Private and corporate prayer.
3. The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper.
4. Fellowship.

Why are the means of grace important? John Wesley tells us (adapted): “All who desire the grace of God shall wait for it in the (ordinary) means of grace.” Wait for it in searching the Scriptures. Wait for it in the way of prayer. Wait for it in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. If you want to experience the grace of God, get about the means of grace. These are the normal means God uses to bring the spiritually dead to life, enabling them to turn in repentance and faith towards God as they rest on Christ alone for their salvation. The means of grace are concrete spiritual disciplines set apart by God as the most reliable way we receive prevenient, justifying, or sanctifying grace.

Note 1: As distinct from extraordinary means of grace (EMG).
Note 2: “The chief of these means are prayer, whether in secret or with the great congregation; searching the Scriptures (which implies reading, hearing, and meditating thereon) and receiving the Lord’s Supper, eating bread and drinking wine in remembrance of Him; and these we believe to be ordained of God as the ordinary channels of conveying His grace to the souls of men.” John Wesley (1703 – 1791), Means of Grace, Sermon 16, November 15, 1739, Bristol, The United Kingdom Of Britain.
Note 3: “The means of grace are such as Bible reading, private prayer, and regularly worshiping God in Church, wherein one hears the Word taught and participates in the Lord’s Supper.” J. C. Ryle (1816 – 1900)