Sola Gratia

Small Group Discussion November 5, 2017 Matthew 15:1-9 Short Review Review the main points of the morning message. Some Questions for Discussion: Focus the discussion on: Sola Gratia – that our salvation, rescue from sin and death, must rest on grace alone, or else we dishonor the glory of God. 1. Describe some of the most gracious people you know or have known. Describe how they speak, act, and treat you? 2. How would you define grace? a. Is there a distinction between grace and mercy? b. Mull this over for a while, but think on this: mercy is when we don’t get what we deserve, but grace is when we get what we don’t deserve. Discuss this. 3. Read John 1:14. a. How does this relate to Exodus 34:6,7 – the revelation to Moses? b. Why is this the “fullness” of the glory of God? How does it relate to the mission of Jesus? 4. But does it really matter that it is grace alone? a. Can you think of examples of groups/ religions/ cults which add “works” of some sort as a requirement for salvation? b. In what way can this (any kind of works) lead to pride or boasting in us? See I Cor. 1:28,29; 4:7 5. Why is “boasting” or reliance on our works of any kind spoken of so negatively? How does it impact the glory of God’s grace? E.g. Rom. 4:2, Gal. 6:14, Ephesians 2:9 6. If Salvation is by grace alone, does it matter if we sin? Doesn’t this give people license to sin? [Leader: lead people to Scripture that shows how experiencing grace changes us inwardly, makes us delight to please God. I John 5:2, Col. 1:10, I Thess. 4:1 etc.] 7. Relationships: a. Do you know people who are critical, always able to point to something deficient? What’s it like doing things for them, or having them examine what you have done? b. How is it different to live with and be friends with a gracious person? c. How does experiencing God’s grace affect the way we show grace? 8. How has knowing God’s grace in Christ brought you freedom and joy in living life? No doubt you will want to focus on how it has brought hope, forgiveness etc. – all wonderful. But how does it give us freedom to take risks for Jesus, to not be afraid to fail, to think creatively, to be free of constant consciousness of being found wanting?