Grace Works (part 1): Undeserved

TO START

Have each member use the word “grace” in a sentence that is not about God/church/Jesus/the Bible. Go around the circle until a member can’t think of a sentence. If they don’t immediately have one they’re “out” of the game. Keep going until there’s only one person left.

 

DISCUSSION

What is grace? Give an example of a time a person showed you grace. 

Is grace a good characteristic or bad? Make a case for your answer. 

Read Ephesians 2:7-9

“In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

What does it mean that God shows “the incomparable riches of his grace”? 

According to this passage, can we save ourselves?

Have you ever tried to save yourself? Share a story. How did that effort make you feel about yourself?

To further substantiate God’s essential graciousness...

Get a timer, set it for three minutes, and list as many stories from the Bible as you can think of that evidence God’s grace. How many did your group come up with? Why are there so many?

If God is gracious, how does that reality reality shape your relationship with Him? How would life with God be different if He didn’t offer grace?

Would you say you grew up in an environment of grace? If not, what sticks out as particularly ungracious? If you did, share an example. 

What can we do at Round Rock to follow in God’s grace footsteps and create a family full of grace? Think of practical actions and attitudes.

Consider this video, “The Force of Grace”: http://www.faithit.com/short-video-gods-grace-ridiculously-good-watch-over-and-over/

  • What is the force of grace?

  • Have you ever been guilty of minimizing grace? Or forgetting what a big deal it is? Why do you think that is? What could you do to prevent it?

  • What does grace look like to you on a micro scale? Through the filter of this short film, consider where you might have experienced God’s grace today?

 

SCRIPTURE

Read 2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

  • What does it mean that God’s Grace is “sufficient”?

 

PRAYER

Are there any members of your group who’re struggling to accept God’s grace? If so, have a special prayer for them tonight. Put your hands on them. Bring their names to God.

You might also have a prayer of thanksgiving for grace. Have each member thank God for one manifestation of His grace in their life.

 

FOR FUN AND WORSHIP AND CONNECTION

How about singing Amazing Grace together (Print out lyrics ahead of time. Sing all the verses.)? Then you might have members share which lines are most powerful to them.

 

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