On your own or with your life group work through this reading plan to apply this weekend’s message to your life. If you haven’t done so yet, listen or watch the Sunday message below.

Rich Mercy, Amazing Grace
Ephesians 2:4–9

Big Idea: Because of God’s grace, you are His.

Opening

When you hear the word grace, what comes to mind?

Wherever you are in your spiritual journey—curious, beginning to follow Jesus, or walking with Him for many years—consider this question: What if the deepest truth about your life is not what you have done for God, but what God has done for you?

Read Ephesians 2:4–9

As you read, notice what God does:   God loves. God made alive. God raised up. God showed kindness. God saved. God gave.
What stands out to you about how active God is in this passage?

Discover the Gospel

Mercy → Love → Made Alive → Raised → Grace → Gift

1. What does “rich in mercy” reveal about God?
2. What does “because of His great love” reveal about His heart toward us?
3. What has God done for us that we could never do for ourselves?
4. What does it mean that salvation is “the gift of God” rather than something we earn?
5. Verse 5 says God made us alive with Christ. What does that picture communicate about the kind of life Jesus gives?
6. Verse 6 speaks of being raised up and seated with Christ. What does that suggest about our new identity and status “in Christ”?

What makes a gift a gift?

What happens if someone offers you a gift and you insist on paying for it?

Read Ephesians 2:8–9:  “For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God, not of works…”

What difference does it make that salvation is described as a gift?

What would change if we really believed we didn't have to earn God's love?

What is the difference between:  I need to become good enough for God, and  God has graciously done for me what I could never do for myself.

See the Cross

Our sin mattered enough that Jesus gave His life for us.  How does the sacrifice of Jesus deepen your understanding of God’s grace?

What is the difference between: “I need to become good enough for God”and “God has graciously done for me what I could never do for myself.”

How does the cross show both the seriousness of our sin and the depth of God’s mercy?

Why do you think grace can be easy to understand intellectually but harder to simply receive and enjoy?

Three Places in the Journey

If you are seeking: What about this passage makes you curious about Jesus?

If you are beginning to follow Jesus: What part of God’s grace is becoming more real to you?

If you have followed Jesus for years: What part of the gospel do you need to enjoy again rather than merely understand?

For everyone: What about this passage gives you hope for today?

A Moment of Joy

Read Ephesians 2:4–9 again slowly.

What word or phrase delights you?

Complete the sentence:

“The phrase that delights me is __________ because __________.”

What would it look like to enjoy that truth rather than simply agree with it?

Grace in Your Story

Complete one of these:

“I am grateful that God has…”

“I am beginning to see that Jesus…”

“I need to remember that God…”

“Because I am in Christ, I can…”

Celebrate What God Has Done

God is rich in mercy.

God loved us.

God made us alive with Christ.

God raised us up in Christ.

God has given us a new status—“in Christ.”

God has poured out the riches of His grace and kindness.

We are saved by grace through faith.

Salvation is the gift of God.

Thank You, Jesus.

Which of these truths is easiest for you to believe? Which one do you most need to believe more deeply?

Response

Complete these two statements:
What God has done: ______________________________
My response: ____________________________________

What is one simple response you want to carry into this week?

“Because of God’s grace, I can…”

Next Step:  I have decided to follow Jesus.

If you are ready to receive God’s gift of salvation and begin following Jesus, this can be your response to what you have heard and discovered tonight.

If you already follow Jesus, consider: How can I more fully live this week from the reality that I belong to Him?

Final Thought

The gospel begins not with “Look what I can do for God,” but with:

“Look what God has done for me.”

God’s grace is unending.  God’s grace is for you.  God desires that you receive it.  And because of His grace, you are His.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You that You are rich in mercy and great in love. Thank You for making us alive in Christ, raising us up, and giving us the gift of salvation by grace through faith. Thank You for Jesus and His sacrifice for our sin. Help us not only to understand Your grace, but to receive it, marvel at it, and rejoice in it. Let the reality of what You have done become deeper and sweeter to us. Thank You for Your unending grace. Amen.