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.
Where is it written?
Read Ephesians 4:17-19.
Gentiles are people who are not Jewish. Here, the term “Gentiles” means the dominant non-Jewish culture the early Christians (who were ethnically both Jewish and Gentile) were living in.
What Gentile values is Paul telling the Christians in Ephesus to stay away from?
How are these values present in our secular culture today?
Read Ephesians 4:20-24.
What attitudes or actions are we told to “put off?” Why?
What attitudes or actions are we told to “put on?” Why? How?
Read Ephesians 4:25-5:2.
What attitudes or actions are we told to avoid? (Make a list.)
What attitudes or actions are we told to promote? (Make a list.)
What do you notice about these lists? How are they connected? What larger connecting themes do you see?
What / who empowers us to make these changes?
Deep Study - Forgiveness
Read Matthew 6:12-15, Matthew 18:21-35 and Hebrews 12:14-15.
Steps to Forgiveness:
1) Total the debt. Make a full inventory of what the other person’s actions have caused you. Don’t minimize the emotional pain.
2) Cancel the debt. Choose to no longer hold the offense against them. Remember that you too have been forgiven. Note - This does not necessarily mean that the offender will not experience the natural consequences of justice, nor does it require you to make yourself vulnerable to repeated pain.
3) Repeat as needed. It usually takes time for our emotions to catch up with our decisions. Especially for deep hurts.
How goes your walk?
What attitudes or actions are you working with Jesus to “put off?”
What attitudes or actions are you working with Jesus to “put on?”
What habits for staying connected with Jesus are you continuing or developing in order to support these changes?
Challenge:
Spend at least five minutes thanking Jesus for his love for you, and asking for His help with an attitude or action you are looking to change in your life. Then listen.
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