Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: May 1, 2011
Sermon Title: Christianity Is Just Another Religion
Sermon Text: John 14:6
Small Group Text: John 14:6
Introduction
Grace is foundational to our faith and is what makes Christianity unique among other religions. Religion of human origin emphasizes personal effort and good works for the attainment of "oneness with God". These works may include eating prescribed foods, praying regularly, traveling to sacred sites, doing good deeds, and myriad of other spiritual exercises. Biblical Christianity teaches that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor; it is a gift because of what Jesus has done for us. Grace has been defined as "undeserved favor," and it is because of God’s grace that Jesus came, died, and rose from the dead. Ephesians 2:8-9 states: for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. In other words, our salvation is based totally on God’s grace. Jesus was God’s grace revealed to us in human form. What special gift have you received recently? What made it special?
Discussion
1. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. From this Scripture, how would you define grace? 2. What do you think about this phrase: “Grace from God's point of view is ‘love with no strings attached’"? 3. Read Romans 3:23 & 6:23. Why are people in need of God's grace? 4. Describe a time when you’ve experienced God’s grace (his undeserved favor)?
5. What has happened recently in your life that can only be explained by God's presence and goodness (His grace)? 6. Since God has lavished His grace upon us, what should our response be according to 2 Corinthians 9:8? 7. Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. As Christ’s ambassadors, how can we best communicate the message of God’s grace the others?
8. Why is the idea of God’s grace so difficult for people to comprehend and accept – especially when it comes to their salvation and relationship with God? What is it in the human spirit that balks at the idea of unconditional grace?
Application
1. Knowing that Jesus died for your sins, how have you responded to God’s gracious gift of salvation? 2. As a group, determine what might be a gracious gift for a family in need. Pray, collect the money, purchase the gift, and deliver it anonymously. (The family should never know the source of the gift.) How would this act relate to the message of God’s grace to an undeserving world? 3. Choose a person who has wronged you or who is always “giving you grief”. Give the "grief-giver" an anonymous, good gift. How does this demonstrate God’s mercy and grace? 4. This week, with whom can you share the message of God’s grace? How will you cultivate the opportunity?
Sermon-Based Curriculum