Grace for Beginners
No Grace - No Gospel
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is to further our understanding of God’s amazing grace. Of special note in this lesson are mistaken concepts of grace and a review of examples that demonstrate how God’s grace works.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Comprehend the benefits to one’s life produced by God’s grace.
- Feel: Value the benefits produced by God’s grace.
- Do: Demonstrate our knowledge of grace by living faithfully and helping others discover the benefits produced by God’s grace.
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. Sometimes it helps to understand what something is by looking at what it is not. Summarize each mistaken view listed below and why it is incorrect:
Grace is not a dividing line.
This idea is contrary to the concept of grace and what is stated in I John 1:5-7.
Grace is not a thermometer.
God supplies all we need for us to be saved by his grace. There is nothing we supply. We do, however, respond to His grace through our faith in Jesus and obedience to his teachings. This obedience is not an exchange for salvation but rather an expression of our faith. We are saved by God's grace.
Grace is not a free ticket.
This thought is inconsistent with what Paul teaches us in Romans 6. We are dead to sin so how can we continue in sin? Notice Paul's use of "in". If we live "in sin" then it is what we allow to dominate our lives. This is not inconsistent with 1 John 1 regarding walking in the light. All of us sin but God's grace seen in the blood of Christ covers our sins as we repent and live faithfully (walking in the light). One cannot possibly "walk in the light" while living "in sin". They are diametrically opposed of each other.
2. Compare the use of the word grace from the Old Testament to that of the New Testament.
In the Old Testament the word grace meant to bend or stoop, showing how God bends down in kindness. In the New Testament, grace is used in a similar way but communicates a cheerful attitude showing God's motivation of love and kindness. In either use the word indicates favor as the attitude of God towards us. God loves His creation and desires all persons to come into a relationship with Him (II Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:3-4).
3. Use your own words to define grace and what it means to you.
Answers will vary but look for an expression of deep love from God, His willingness to save us, and our response by expressing our faith and obedience in Jesus.
David and Bathsheba – II Samuel 11
God could have immediately destroyed David but forgave him upon his repentance. God chose to continue His promise through David because of David's repentance. David still suffered the consequences of his sin but not the eternal consequences.
Paul the Apostle – I Corinthians 15:9-10
God could have destroyed Paul because of his deliberate and cruel actions taken against Christians. But God had a plan for Paul. Paul repented of his actions and spent the rest of his life serving as one of God's messengers. Even today we are taught by Paul through his writings in the New Testament.
5. How can you use this lesson to grow spiritually and help others come into a relationship with Jesus?
When we understand the depth of God's love as demonstrated by His grace, we should feel compelled to respond as He wills through our Lord Jesus. This includes our faith in Jesus, our repentance and baptism. We do this because of our understanding and not to earn favor from God. God has already expressed favor to us by His grace. This understanding also includes our role as messengers to carry the good news of God's amazing grace to others so they too may come to that saved relationship with God.