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Transforming Grace
Discussion Guide, Chapter 2: Grace--It Really is Amazing
Notes:
- BK means "Book"—Transforming Grace
- SG means "Study Guide"—the companion to Transforming Grace
- SGD means "Study Guide, Going Deeper Section"
Contrast
- Why would you say that contrast is the essence of our understanding of grace? In other
words, how does contrast relate to grace?
- Part of the definition of grace is undeserved favor. In order to understand the extent
of the favor, I have to understand how undeserved that favor is.
When are the subtle intricacies of the beauty of a diamond most visible? When is the
light of a flashlight most visible?
Grace stands out among that which it is not. Light stands out when it is against the
backdrop of darkness.
SG #3: How does Eph 2:1-9 demonstrate this contrast?
- It describes us as dead and deserving of God’s wrath.
- BUT…. God chose to save us anyway through the riches of His mercy in Christ Jesus.
- Eph 2:1-9. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used
to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the
air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived
among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its
desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of
his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we
were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with
Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the
coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness
to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not
from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.
SGD #2: How does Titus 3:3-7 demonstrate this contrast?
- It describes us as slaves to our own passions and desires, disobedient and hateful.
- BUT…. God saved us by His own generosity through Jesus Christ.
- Titus 3:3-7. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all
kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one
another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not
because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the
washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously
through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might
become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
What is Paul trying to communicate about grace in passages like these?
In order to understand God’s grace, we have to understand (remember) our own
desperate condition before a Holy God.
We have to see our need.
Atonement
- SG #1: Read Rom 3:19-26. There are two aspects to our justification. First, God
removes our guilt from us and places it upon Jesus (expiation vs. propitiation). Second,
He credits Jesus’ righteousness to us (imputation vs. impartation). What practical
difference does it make to your life that God has removed your sin and given you
Jesus’ righteousness? How should this fact affect the way you feel? The way you live?
- It removes the burden of having to earn my own way. My way is earned by the imputed
merits of Jesus Christ. This makes me feel gracious and glad.
- Discuss the difference between expiation and propitiation.
- Discuss the difference between imputation and impartation.
- Rom 3:19-26. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the
law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather,
through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from
law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness
from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his
grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice
of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because
in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to
demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies
those who have faith in Jesus.
The Extent of God’s Forgiveness
- SG #4: What is the extent of God’s forgiveness?
- Review Ps 103:12, Isa 38:17, Mic 7:19, Isa 43:25
- Scriptures here
- What’s the difference between legal forgiveness and relational forgiveness?
- Read BK pg 43, last full paragraph.
SGD #3: Is it possible to go beyond the point of forgiveness with God? How can a
person might feel he has sinned one too many times, and why are those feelings wrong?
- As a Christian, no, because if anything that I do can forfeit God’s forgiveness,
then His forgiveness is no longer given on the basis of grace.
- As a nonChristian, yes: The unpardonable sin, which is defined as never accepting the
Lord Jesus as Savior during his lifetime. But the unpardonable sin only becomes
unpardonable when the nonChristian dies.
God’s Nature is to be Gracious
- Read Rom 8:32. How does Paul amplify the point that God will give us all things?
- By using the argument of the "greater to the lesser."
- SGD #5: Read Jer 29:10-11, 32:38-41. How does God want to treat us? How does
this enhance your understanding of God in daily grace?
- God delights in doing good to us, even when we are constantly "blowing it."
Read example of Peter in BK, pages 54-56.
Grace and Need (The Parable of the Vineyard Workers)
- Read Mt 19:16-22. Will there be rewards for us? In what proportion to our obedience
will we be rewarded?
- Read underlined portions of page 50.
- Grace is given on the basis of need, not merit.
- Who needs who?
- "God calls us to serve Him, not because He needs us, but because we need Him."
Experiencing God’s Grace
- SG #7: Believers fail to live by God’s grace on a daily basis for many reasons.
Why?
- We view God as begrudgingly giving us His blessings, which means that I’m not
recognizing His superabounding grace. I’m settling for the mud-pies of this world,
when the Lord has prepared a feast for me.
- We view God’s blessings as something to be earned. This prevents me from truly
enjoying His blessings. I view them as my wages (as if it’s God’s duty to pay
me) not as gifts.
- Read Sproul’s quote, page 28 of SG.
- Is it possible to believe the magnificent grace of God intellectually, but not live it
out day-to-day? How can we correct this thinking?
- Read BK, page 43, last paragraph.
How does our willingness to show grace to others demonstrate our own understanding of
God’s grace to us?
Read the parable of the unmerciful servant (Mt 18:23-34).
Read BK, page 45, last paragraph.
What can you do this week to more fully understand and live in the awesome grace of God
in light of our sin, and the over-abundance of grace that God is so willing to give to us?
Preach the Gospel to yourself every day.
Remember God’s past grace and be thankful. Let His past grace give you hope for
future grace.
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