Experiencing & Demonstrating God’s Grace
Icebreaker: What was your favorite and/or most interesting job?
Share your thoughts
What comes to mind when you hear the word “grace?” (Maybe the few words people pray before they eat a meal? Or how a ballerina performs on stage? Something else?)
Experiencing God's Grace
From beginning to end, becoming and growing as Christ-followers depends on the undeserved favor God shows us. Each and every day, we have opportunities to accept or reject His mercy, His forgiveness, His kindness, and the power He provides us to do His will.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
The concept of God’s grace is a common theme throughout all of Scripture. The fullness of grace is experienced in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus into the world (John 1:17). The word “grace,” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word “charis,” which means “favor, blessing, or kindness.” This is what God offers us, and what we should strive to extend to others.
We are reminded in Ephesians 2:8; “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” That is the beauty of God’s grace. It is not something that we do for ourselves, but rather something that we experience from God.
There are many people who believe that they are “too messed up,” to be embraced by the grace of God. The truth is, God does not give or withhold His grace based upon the size or extent of our sins. God is in the business of pouring out His grace upon us. We’ve all done things we aren’t proud of, said things we wish we hadn’t, and been places we wouldn’t dare go again. Regardless, God’s grace is lavish, extravagant, and available for each and every one of us.
No matter what you’ve done in life, understand that the grace and love of Jesus are waiting for you with open arms. You don’t need to reach a certain level of “goodness” before you can experience it. God will meet you right where you are.
Demonstrating Grace
In addition to showing us undeserved favor, loving us unconditionally, and forgiving us freely, God also gives us unique gifts that we can use to extend these kindnesses to others; choosing not to be judgmental or condemning, but showing others the same gracious compassion He gives us.
Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Once we experience His love and His grace, we will never be the same. Likewise, when we share and demonstrate this grace toward others, they will never be the same. That is the way grace is meant to work: that anyone who experiences it is changed wholly and completely, forever.