Title: "Made Alive By Grace"
Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following mthe prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
1. In many ways, an adoption story is our story (Ephesians 1:5). In what ways might an adoption story illustrate the grace of the gospel?
2. Ephesians 2:1-3 talks about our need for grace. List as many things as you can that were true of us before we were adopted into God's family.
3. In John Newton's hymn, Amazing Grace, he wrote these words: "Twas grace that taught my heart to fear." What does this mean, in light of Ephesians 2:1-3?
4. Ephesians 2:4-7 talks about the power of grace. What did God do for us?
5. Notice the three times that Paul uses the words, "with Christ." What are the implications for us of our union with Christ?
6. Notice that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. Why is this a place of strength and victory as we face evil in our hearts and in the world?
7. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. How would you use these verses to help a friend understand how to become a Christian?
8. According to Ephesians 2:10, what is the fruit of grace?
9. John Newton also wrote these words: "Our pleasure and our duty, though opposite before, since we have seen his beauty, are joined to part no more." In what ways have you tasted this fruit of grace?
10. What is your takeaway from this passage?
