Grace for Beginners
What's so Good About the Good News?
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is to introduce the concept of God’s grace. Of special note is the mistaken idea that some have concerning the concept of grace as well as the core reason why the “good news” is truly good.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Comprehend the concept of God’s grace and its importance for our salvation.
- Feel: Appreciate the value of God’s grace.
- Do: Use grace as the foundation of our spiritual growth.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
1. How do you define grace and what is another word you might use instead?
The intent of this question is to establish what students understand grace to be. Do not seek to correct students if they have a perspective that does not agree with the lesson, or if they don't have an understanding.
Gently, lovingly and dare I say, graciously lead them through these lessons to the understanding God wishes for us to have. As they provide words to describe grace, look for terms such as kindness, love, mercy, generosity and forgiveness.
2. Where do we first read about God's grace in scripture?
We can anticipate that grace was first seen when God did not destroy Adam and Eve after their sin. One can argue that grace began when God decided to create our world and mankind.
3. What makes grace so amazing?
God did not have to offer forgiveness for our sins or to make a way for us to return to Him. It demonstrates His deep love for His creation by offering forgiveness. It is also amazing that the offer of forgiveness is there before we ask for it and even when we reject it. When we repent and seek to return to God, His grace is there.
4. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. How does this explain the relationship between grace and faith?
Grace by its very nature is something that we cannot possibly earn. It is granted freely by God. Faith represents the method of our salvation (found only in Jesus – John 14:6). This faith in Jesus is demonstrated by our obedience seen through repentance, baptism, and faithful living.
5. Explain God's grace in the following examples from scripture and what they mean to us.
Adam and Eve deliberately sinned against God. God could have destroyed them and started over. Instead He chose to put into place a plan to reconcile man back to Himself that would eventually play out in the sacrifice of Jesus. This plan is now in place for all of us. It clearly demonstrates God's spirit of love and forgiveness.
David deliberately used the power and influence granted to him by God to sin. He compounded the sin by trying to cover it up by lying and having Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, killed. When confronted with his sin he immediately repented. As a result, God forgave him and continued to keep the promise of the Messiah coming through his lineage, unlike King Saul who refused to repent and lost the kingdom. This demonstrates the willingness of God to forgive us when we repent. It further illustrates the grace that God desires to extend to us.
Peter denied Jesus in the same time period of his declaration to follow Him to the death if necessary. When he became aware of his denial, he deeply regretted his sin and sought at the first opportunity to reestablish his relationship with Jesus. When we sin, we are also showing rejection of our Lord. Jesus reinstates our relationship with Him when we repent.
All three of these examples, and many others from scripture show that God is indeed patient towards us in our weakness and seeks to save us rather than destroy us (II Peter 3:9).
6. How can a misunderstanding of grace be dangerous?
Many misapply grace because they misunderstand what it is and its role in our salvation. They feel that grace is offered at no cost or no commitment on their part. If one misunderstands grace, then there is the potential to miss out on its full benefits for the guilty sinner. There is also the danger that in one's misunderstanding we are likely to perpetuate our error as we teach others.
7. What makes grace a difficult concept to grasp?
Many feel they are unworthy of God's love due to their sinful life. Many misunderstand the nature of grace and how it demonstrates God's love. There may also be a lack of trust in God.
8. Explain how grace is free but compels action on our part.
This is perhaps at the heart of why we might misunderstand grace. It is not something we can possibly earn. We feel however that we must do something to earn it. God already paid the price for our sins and offers us the way back to Him. That way is only through faith in Jesus (John 14:6), expressed in repentance and baptism (Acts 2:28).
9. Read I John 1:5-9. Based on this passage state your understanding of the difference between the effects of the principle of Law and the principle of Grace and give an example.
John is communicating to us that God's grace is extended to those in Christ. God recognizes that we cannot live perfect lives and will have those times of sin. If a child of God is honest with him or herself and sincerely repents, then the blood of Christ that brought them to God continues to wash away sins. This is an example of continued grace. On the other hand, law demands obedience, sometimes to a strict set of rules. A violation of any one part of a rule undermines the obedience of other parts of the law. Law demands strict compliance and associated punishment, but no remedy for failure. Its purpose is twofold:
- To reveal sin
- To condemn and punish guilty sinners (Romans 3:19-20).
Examples will vary but look for examples of grace that include an honest and sincere effort to obey.
10. Read the Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15:11-32 and answer the following questions.
What action did the younger son take that shows his rejection of the father?
He demanded his inheritance and left the father. Then when things inevitably turned bad he continued the rejection by not coming back to the father but rather sought to remedy things himself.
At what point did the father's grace become evident in this parable?
The grace (willingness to forgive) was always there. It became visible when he saw his son from a distance.
How did the father in this parable demonstrate forgiveness?
He wouldn't even let the son complete his statement of repentance. The effort of the son demonstrated the son's humility and repentance. He called for his son to be fully reinstated into the family by giving him the robe, ring, sandals and celebration.
Read verse 32. What in this statement shows why God grants us grace?
Sin truly creates death in the form of separation from our Father. When we accept grace, rather than reject it, we embrace God's love and are reborn (John 3:16). We come from the death of separation to the renewed life of reconciliation to God.
11. How can you use this lesson to grow spiritually and help others come into a relationship with Jesus?
Grace is everything in our relationship with God. When we fully understand the role it plays in our salvation it should cause us to move towards God and make the effort to remain faithful.