Grace: How Grace Changes Us

Grace: How Grace Changes Us

Pastor Andrew Thompson

Grace is THE BIG DISTINCTIVE IDEA of Christianity, yet many Christians struggle to understand it. Most struggle to apply it to themselves and the people around them. This series digs into the big, distinctive idea of grace, discovers how grace changes everything and helps us more fully apply grace to ourselves and others.
Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Where is it written?
Read Ephesians 3:14-21. (Ideally several times.)
As you read this passage, what do you notice? What ideas or images stand out to you?
What is the source of the “power” Paul writes about? How is the power received? Where is the power received? What does this power result in?
As we increasingly grasp/ understand the love of Christ, what happens?
What is possible when the church experiences this together?

Read Galatians 5:22-23
What character attributes increase as the result of an indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

How would you summarize the ideas of these passages in your own words?

How goes your walk?
How do people usually pursue personal transformation? How is grace-based transformation different?
What words would you use to describe your relationship with Jesus now?
What kind of relationship are you wanting to have?
What habits, practices, etc. might help you draw closer to Him?

Challenge:
Spend at least 5 minutes before the end of the day thanking God for what Jesus has done for you, remembering how much Jesus loves you, and asking the Holy Spirit to fill you. Then wait and listen.