Life Group Curriculum - January 17, 2010
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Stronger (part 2) “Unmerited Favor”
Opening Prayer / Worship
Overview:
The lavish grace of God in Christ Jesus is difficult for us to accept, partially because of our deep seeded guilt association with our shortcomings. Humans tend to feel internally justified if we pay some sort of penalty for our wrong. While there are consequences to wrong action, there is no justification in God’s eyes for suffering the consequences of our rebellion. The Bible teaches us that the only thing that can justify us from our sin is the penalty Jesus paid on our behalf when he suffered on the cross and then was raised from the dead, cancelling out the power of sin (past, present and future) over our lives forever.
Today, in your LifeGroup, discuss the message Pastor Terry brought to us over the weekend about God’s free gift of grace and the power that grace brings to the life of a believer. As you read the scriptures and the comments below, talk about how grace is able to revolutionize our lives, and transform us from striving to thriving in the power of the Spirit of God’s grace and love for his children.
DISCUSSION POINTS
1) Grace means that we don’t have to earn our salvation.
Read Ephesians 2:4-9
Talk about what this passage says about “earning our way to God’s favor” versus receiving it as a gift. How is this different than you might have once thought?
What does the message of grace really mean? It simply means that God deals with His people, not on the basis of what they deserve, but according to His goodness, kindness, and generosity.
2) Grace means that we don’t have to fear not being forgiven.
Read 1 John 4:13-19 Talk about what fear has to do with. Verse 18 says that “fear has to do with ______________??”
3) Grace means that we don’t have to live the Christian life by our own effort.
Read Jude 23-24. Then read the statement below and discuss the scripture related to the statement.
Now, here’s something to think about. How can the thing that could not save you, keep you from losing your salvation? If good behavior could not save you, good behavior cannot keep you. If discipline and determination could not save you, discipline and determination cannot keep you. We were saved by grace and we are kept by grace.
4) Grace means that we can overcome the weakness that lays claim to us.
Read Titus 2:11 Talk about how grace serves as a teacher, instructor and guide to our lives.
5) Grace means that we can become like Jesus.
Read 2 Peter 3:18 .
Talk about how grace is not a license to sin, but rather it is the power to overcome sin and help us to become more like Jesus.
Taking Action: In your devotional time this week, consider how great a love God has shown you by his grace in Christ Jesus. Now, being freshly aware of God’s unmerited grace in your life, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you someone you need to offer that kind of grace toward. Pray for them, and consider how you might reach out to them.
Ministry Time