Summary: Grace. It’s not just the name of our church. It’s the uniquely Christian concept by which God relates to us and through which we should relate to each other. It has the power to change all of life around us, and yet it is an idea that seems totally foreign to the world in which we live. I love the way “armchair theologian” and lead singer of U2, Bono, describes it:<br> <br> “It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the Universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people…At the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you; an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth…It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that ‘As you reap, so will you sow’ stuff (think he got that backward). Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff. That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep (trouble). It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.”<br> <br> <br> So how do we live under grace? And what difference might living under grace make in the way we go about our lives each day?<br> Join us this week, as we continue our series Together for Good by diving into Romans 6 and discover together how this unique reality of Grace not only saves us from death, but also invites us into an entirely different kind of life.<br> <br> DOWNLOADS<br> SEE IT // BE IT<br> (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)<br> Title: Together For Good: Living Under Grace // Scripture: Romans 6<br> ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also, find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.<br> SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes<br><br> Grace. It’s not just the name of our church. It’s the uniquely Christian concept by which God relates to us, and through which we should relate to each other. It has the power to change all of life around us, and yet it is an idea that seems totally foreign to the world around us. This week we continue our series, “Together for Good,” by diving into Romans 6 to discover how the unique reality of grace not only saves us from death, but also “gifts” us into an entirely different kind of life—one where we live as forgiven (not broken), free (not enslaved), and victors (not victims).<br> THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.<br><br> Grace is not an excuse to live any way we want. Instead, it is a gift God gives, to lead us into the life He has already dreamed of and prepared for us.<br> SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes<br><br> Picture (What is the story saying?): Why does Paul call the believers back to look at the gospel, in response to the mess they’re in? What are three gifts that God gives?<br> Mirror (Where am I in the story?): We all make mistakes and have blind spots. What is God’s response to these things that keep us in bondage? What does it look like to take grace seriously and live it out in my everyday life? Of the three gifts that God gives, which one do I need to press into right now? Where in my life do I need to hear the too-good-to-be-true news of grace?<br> Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): We live in a broken world. How does what Christ did to redeem us impact that? What does that mean for the way I view the people around me?<br> BE IT – Practice Which of these areas is God speaking to you about this week?<br><br> Change UP – Exercise<br><br>
