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.

Opening Prayer
Begin by thanking God for the salvation we have through Jesus Christ and ask the Holy Spirit to help the group understand the significance of the blood of Christ.
1. Who We Are (The Human Problem)Read

• Romans 3:23–26

Scripture teaches that every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard. No one can achieve righteousness by their own effort. Because God is perfect, our sin creates a separation between us and Him.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think people struggle to accept the idea that everyone is a sinner?
2. What happens when people try to earn righteousness instead of receiving it from God?

2. Who God IsRead

• Psalm 89:14
• Deuteronomy 32:4

We often think of good and bad in degrees, but God’s holiness is absolute. There is no sliding scale with Him. God’s perfect justice and holiness separate Him from sinful humanity. Because of God’s holiness we realize how serious sin is and how incredible His grace is.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it difficult for people to grasp the idea of perfect holiness and justice?
2. How does God’s holiness shape the way we view sin?

3. The Problem These Realities CreateRead

• Romans 6:23
• Romans 3:20

When sinful humanity encounters a holy and just God, a serious problem exists.  The wages of sin is death and the law reveals our sin but cannot save us.

Discussion Questions

1. Why can’t good works erase sin?
2. How does the law help us understand our need for salvation?

4. God’s SolutionRead

• Isaiah 53:55-57
• 1 John 4:10
• Romans 4:25

God Himself provided the solution through Jesus, the holy and sinless Son of God, who paid the price for sin through His sacrifice. His sacrifice is infinite and sufficient for all humanity.
Because of the blood of Jesus:

• Sin is paid for
• Justice is satisfied
• A path of righteousness is opened for us

Discussion Questions

1. How often do you consciously thank Jesus for paying the price for your sins? What gets in the way of daily gratitude?
2. Share a time when you experienced the reality of being reconciled to God. How did it transform your life?

5. The Result of the Blood
Read:

• Colossians 1:13-14
• Ephesians 1:7
• Romans 5:1

Because of Jesus’ blood we are:

• Justified - Declared righteous in God’s sight and have peace with God. 
• Reconciled - Restored to relationship with God.
• Redeemed - Our sins are forgiven. 
• This produces a transformed life. 

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to be justified before God?
2. How does reconciliation with God change our identity?
3. In what ways should salvation transform the way we live daily?

6. Our ResponseRead

• 1 Corinthians 15 (focus on verses 57–58)

Because of what Jesus has done for us, we are called to:

• Remain steadfast
• Be unwavering in faith
• Live with love and gratitude toward Jesus

Our lives become a response of worship to the One who secured our salvation.

Discussion Questions

1. What does it look like to remain steadfast in faith today?
2. How can remembering the sacrifice of Jesus help us stay faithful?
3. What are practical ways we can live with gratitude for our salvation?

Next Step: Pray a daily prayer of gratitude for your atonement. Thank Jesus each day for:

• The forgiveness of your sins
• The righteousness given to you
• The relationship was restored with God

Consider praying something like:
“Jesus, thank You for shedding Your blood for me. Thank You for paying the price for my sin and declaring me righteous before God. Help me live today in gratitude and faithfulness to You

Worship Response: As a group, listen to and reflect on the song:  “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” by Charity Gayle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhU-Omwg2rU

Encourage the group to spend a moment in worship and gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ.