Message Notes
Look Back
How has trusting in the newness promised in 2 Corinthians affected your perspective this week? In what ways did you focus on being “new” rather than “used” or “repaired?”
Look Up
Read Ephesians 2:1-5
- God does not want something from us – he wants something for us. How easy is this for you to accept? Why or why not?
- What does it mean to be “dead in our transgressions and sins”? How does Paul say we ended up in this state?
Read Micah 7:18-19 and Titus 3:3-7
- God’s mercy is described throughout the Bible. What does the Old Testament passage (Micah) say about God’s mercy before Christ?
- What does the New Testament passage (Titus) say about God’s mercy after Christ?
- How is Titus 3 different from Micah 7? What changed? Did God change?
Read Ephesians 2:6-10 and John 3:16-17
- What does Ephesians 2 say that God wants for us? How does He provide it?
- What aspects of mercy and grace are hard for you to understand or accept? What are your “But what about…” questions?
Overall (Discovery Bible Study)
- What do these scriptures say about God?
- What do they say about people?
- How will I apply this to my life?
Look Ahead
What is holding you back from trading your “backpack” full of sins for God’s free gift of eternal life? How can you begin talking to God about the freedom you need?
Notes
The Christian faith is based on the belief that God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son as a gift to replace the sin that weighs us down as we carry it around with us. And this is a free gift – not one you have to negotiate for or earn through your actions. If you’ve been forgiven or shown mercy, don’t pick up that weight again. Honor the free gift God has given you – His grace – and the freedom that comes with it.
