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Documents about different biblical subjects

Grace

February 6th, 2012

To the leader of the study

The understanding of grace is the foundation for a love-motivated relationship with God, rather than one that is works-motivated. Often teens raised in the church can be little Pharisees - "Phari-teens" - in the making, knowing the requirement of the Christian life, but missing the heart motivation. Similarly, overachievers (in the world or in the kingdom) are valued by others and value themselves based on their performance. The goal of this study is to build security, self-esteem and worth based on God's forgiving love and not on their Christian duty or perfect performance. Your personal examples and analogies will make the difference in their understanding of potentially broad and complex concepts.

Intro

What is Grace?

  1. Undeserved forgiveness
  2. An "in-spite-of" kind of love
  3. Acceptance even without perfect performance
  4. Real love
Where does grace come from?
  • Jesus receives the punishment of your sins instead of you (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • After baptism, the blood of Jesus covers over my sin, allowing me to be justified: "just-as-if-I'd-never-sinned" (1 John 1:7)

input = our part
sin
imperfection
filthy
 G
R
A
C
E		 output = God's view
forgiveness
perfection
heart a sinless heart

Bottom line: Grace is almost too good to be true, but it is! The goal of this study is to help you to see the real God who loves you and how valuable you are to him. He valued you at the cost of his only Son, whom he gave up so that there could be grace to forgive your sins and restore your relationship with him.

The Scriptures

Psalm 103:8-10
  • What are some sins in your life?
  • What do you deserve for them?
    • Punishment (grounding, removal of privileges, jail, etc)
    • Not being trusted by people
Bottom line God see everything that we do and think, and he knows what we deserve.
Yet, it is his grace that gives us forgiveness rather than punishment.

Ephesians 2:8-9
  • How many times do you need to obey your parents to receive one grace point?
    • There is not such thing as grace points!
    • There is nothing you can do to be worthy of grace.
  • Why is there no boasting when grace is involved? It's a gift!
Bottom line: God gives grace. We can not earn it. Our role is to be grateful for it.

1 Corinthians 15:9-11
What is Paul because of grace?
  • A forgiven man
  • b. A Christian
What effect did God's grace have on Paul?
  1. He worked hard for God
  2. He lived his whole life for Christ (Philippians 1:21)
  3. He was a grateful man
Bottom line: Grace completely changes our lives.

Personal Heart-Check Questions

What should God's grace produce in you? Does it?
How should you respond to God's grace? Will you?

Practical Applications

Decide that you will live for God because of his grace and not to earn his grace.
Write a one-page letter to God expressing your understanding of his grace (using a personal example from your life) and your gratitude for his grace.