experience grace 1
Copyright 2015 Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX This document may be reproduced and distributed freely, but you may not charge a fee greater than your manufacturing costs. No section of this document may be modified without the written consent of Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX.
Experience Grace INTRODUCTION Do you ever look up from the busyness and demands of your life and wonder»» Am I headed in the right direction?»» Am I paying attention to the important things in life or am I consumed by busyness?»» Do I understand God s purposes for my life and know how to live in His grace? Fortunately there is a simple and memorable way to describe a life that is actively experiencing God s abundant grace. To fully experience grace, we: By viewing a life of faith through this holistic lens you will be able to:»» evaluate your spiritual health»» recognize that seasons of life may emphasize one area or another»» make wise decisions about opportunities and activities in which to participate The following lessons in this study will explore the concepts of Connect Grow Serve Multiply individually, describing their importance and providing practical applications. GROUPS The Connect-Grow-Serve-Multiply model can also be helpful to a group of believers who meet together by providing direction for the group and a means of evaluating its health. Groups can sometimes get stuck focusing on one area to the neglect of others. This lens can help a group press on to well-rounded maturity. 1
BIBLICAL FOUNDATION EPHESIANS The ultimate source of truth about life is God s Word the Bible. The New Testament book of Ephesians provides great insight into the life that God is calling His people to live individually and corporately as His Church. Read: During this study, you are encouraged to read and re-read the book of Ephesians. Make it your goal to read these six powerful chapters at least once per week it takes just 18 minutes! By soaking in this book, your mind and heart will become tuned to God s ways through His Spirit. It will also reinforce the content of the lessons that follow. Reflect: As you discover truths and questions occur to you, write them down. Take some time to ponder and process what God may be saying to you personally. Respond: Now what? Is there something specific you can do right away in accordance with what you have learned? James 1:22 exhorts us, But be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Remember: A great way to solidify what you have learned is by committing scriptural truths to memory. One goal would be to memorize a key verse in the book of Ephesians during the time you are completing this study. Choose a verse that is particularly meaningful to you or your group such as Ephesians 3:17: May Christ through faith dwell in your hearts. May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love. ACTION STEPS: 1. 3x5 card: Prepare to share with your group a snapshot of your life by writing down 3-5 major turning points in your life. Think especially about the times or circumstances when you learned about or experienced God the most. 2. Read/Reflect/Respond: Ephesians 2
Experience Grace CONNECT RELATIONALLY Every human being is designed for connection. The rapid advancement in technology has exposed this core need like never before as millions of people go online every day to link with others through social media. What are we looking for? Fundamentally, people seek a place where we can belong and be accepted. Often the places we find center around areas of common interests and beliefs. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God s household in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19, 22 Christian believers have been restored to a relationship with God by grace through faith in Christ. We receive this free gift of salvation by trusting in Christ s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins. We were once dead in sin and separated from God but now through faith, we are alive together with Christ. We continue to receive grace from God each day as we walk by faith responding to His lead. This is the gospel. Believers not only belong to God, we belong to each other as fellow citizens and family members of God s household. The Christian faith offers an experience of belonging like no other. It is not based on passing interests or even nationality, ethnicity or gender. It is based on our eternally secure status as brothers and sisters in the family of God. This place of security allows us to experience the deep authentic community we are made for. STARTER QUESTION: What led you to join this group? Two ways to CONNECT Relationally: 1. Believe be reconciled to God through Christ by: Receiving grace from God Trusting in Christ s death and resurrection for salvation Walking by faith each day in response to God s Spirit Read: Ephesians 2:1-10 What stands out to you in this passage? 2. Belong be united with fellow believers in the family of God by: Extending grace to one another Trusting one another so as to experience life-giving fellowship Read: Ephesians 2:11-22 What stands out to you in this passage? 3
Reflect/Discuss: When did faith in God become important to you? How would you concisely state your basic beliefs about God? Read Colossians 2:6-7. How does the gospel of grace affect our daily lives? What keeps us from being intentional about deep relationships with other people? Read Hebrews 10:24-25. How can this group be a provision from God for you? Augustine said, In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity. How can we respond to one another when we don t agree? As a group, what are some ways we can connect well? ACTION STEPS: 1. Take the initiative to connect this week by booking an activity with another person/couple in your group. 2. 3x5 card: Re-read Ephesians 1:1-14. Note every in Him or in Christ you see. Meditate on these amazing realities. 3. Read/Reflect/Respond: Ephesians Recommended Resources for CONNECT: see Appendix 4
Experience Grace GROW BIBLICALLY Healthy organisms grow and develop. Growth in the natural world is an indicator of health and wellbeing, and when we don t see it, we know something is wrong. The same principle is true in the spiritual realm. God desires believers to keep growing in relationship with Him it is normal and expected for us to develop from babes in Christ to mature believers. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ. Ephesians 4:15 For Christians, the ultimate source of truth is God s Word, the Bible. By growing biblically, we can know what God is like, what He values and what His purposes are for us. We can experience lifechanging encounters with God Himself through His words to us in scripture. STARTER QUESTION: What parts of the Bible are you most familiar with? Which parts do you avoid reading? Two ways to GROW Biblically: 1. Establish build a firm inner foundation based on biblical truth by: Consistently reading, studying, meditating on and applying God s Word Understanding the essential doctrines of the historic Christian faith Applying biblical truth as the authority and grid for your world view and daily life Read: Ephesians 3:14-21 What stands out to you in this passage? 2. Equip build up the body of Christ by: Practicing a lifestyle of spiritually influencing others based on biblical truth Sharpening your life and ministry skills to be prepared to serve others Understanding and practice of your spiritual gifting Read Ephesians 4:11-16 What stands out to you in this passage? 5
Reflect/Discuss: What role does the Bible play in your everyday life? How would you define biblical literacy? Read James 1:22-25. What does fully engaging with the Bible look like? Read 1 Corinthians 2:10-14. How has God s Spirit taught you as you read His Word? What are some approaches to reading and applying the Bible that you have found helpful? Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. How can your personal knowledge of God s Word be of benefit to others? Read Ephesians 5:15 and think about the roles mentioned in Ephesians 5 marriage, parenting, employer, and employee. How could growing strong biblically in these areas be of help to others? What are your spiritual gifts? How has God led you to build up the body of Christ through your gifting? How can we grow biblically as a group? ACTION STEPS: 1. Discuss with your spouse or a friend how you plan to grow biblically in this season of your life. 2. Determine if there are any life or ministry skills in which you need to be equipped. Commit to addressing one of these in the next semester. 3. Read through the doctrine statement in the appendix. Are there any areas that you need to study for clarification? Which ones? 4. 3x5 card: Write out a personally meaningful verse(s) of scripture. Meditate on it this week and obediently respond to any call to action you sense from God s Spirit. 5. Read/Reflect/Respond: book of Ephesians Recommended Resources for GROW: see Appendix 6
Experience Grace SERVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY As we CONNECT relationally and GROW biblically, God s Spirit will grow a desire within us to SERVE others wholeheartedly. We serve by first recognizing that our service is as to the Lord in response to His grace toward us. As believers, we are His body His hands and feet on earth equipped to bring hope to a broken world through engaging and caring for others. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8 God establishes the pattern of wholehearted service: first TO Him and then THROUGH Him to others. Such service is not only meeting physical needs but also extends to showing people the way back to God the ministry of reconciliation. STARTER QUESTION: Share how someone showed you God s love by serving you? Two ways to SERVE Wholeheartedly: 1. Engage within your local community by: Actively participating in the ministries of your church Active awareness and meeting needs in your local community Using your spiritual gifting to build up the body of Christ and to advance flourishing in all personal spheres of influence 2. Care for those around you by: Meeting real needs Coming alongside the broken and struggling Read Ephesians 6:5-9 What stands out to you about this passage? 7
Reflect/Discuss: Read Mark 10:45. What was Christ s mission? How can it be our example to follow? Read Matthew 22:37-39. What is the connection between loving/worshipping God and our calling to love and care for others? Can you have one without the other? Why is it sometimes hard to give and receive care? Read Ephesians 5:18. What is the source of power to serve wholeheartedly? Why is this important? What would it look like to live as servants of God in your family, neighborhood, workplace and church? How can your unique gifting be used to engage and care for others? How could this group serve wholeheartedly together? What are some of the most pressing physical or spiritual needs in our community as a whole? ACTION STEPS: 1. Spend some time prayerfully considering how you can serve wholeheartedly in this season of your life. What might God be leading you to do right now? 2. Think about your relationships with family, co-workers, neighbors and community members. Is there a specific person you could help or share a story of God s faithfulness with? Do it this week! 3. 3x5 cards: Write down your spiritual gifts and how you are currently using them to engage and care for those around you. 4. Read/Reflect/Respond: Ephesians Recommended Resources for SERVE: see Appendix 8
Experience Grace MULTIPLY INTENTIONALLY Connecting, growing and serving as a believer is often seen as indicative of a complete Christian life. However, there is something missing if we stop there. Jesus did not solely make disciples; He intentionally trained just twelve followers and commanded them to reach all the nations of the world. This could only happen if they replicated Jesus training to make disciples who make disciples. It had to be a process of multiplication not addition to attain such a big goal. His whole evangelistic strategy - indeed, the fulfillment of His very purpose in coming into the world, dying on the cross, and rising from the grave - depended on the faithfulness of His chosen disciples to this task. It did not matter how small the group was to start with so long as they reproduced and taught their disciples to reproduce. (Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism). With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:18b-20 STARTER QUESTION: Who first shared the gospel with you? Two ways to MULTIPLY Intentionally: 1. Reach your campus, community and world by: Loving your neighbor knowing and reaching out to those who live near you Loving the nations participating in opportunities to take the gospel around the world 2. Replicate build a legacy of faith by: Making disciples who make disciples Read Ephesians 6:18b-20 What stands out to you about this passage? 9
Reflect/Discuss: Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. What does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ? What are some of the responsibilities? How does Paul use of this term in reference to making disciples? Read 2 Timothy 2:2 Identify the four generations mentioned here. Identify the generations of believers in your redemption story? What are some ways that you have learned to practically love your neighbors? What are some ways you can pray for the gospel to be fearlessly made known among the nations? We all expect each runner in a relay race to successfully pass the baton to the next person until the race is over. What would happen if your baton of faith stopped with you? How can this group challenge each other to make disciples who make disciples? ACTION STEPS: 1. Assess your readiness to share the gospel. Do you need more training? 2. Think through how you can begin to intentionally multiply disciples. How will you begin? 3. 3x5 card: Write down the names of your closest neighbors. Begin praying for them and for opportunities to reach out to them regularly. 4. Read/Reflect/Respond: Ephesians Recommended Resources for MULTIPLY: see Appendix 10
Experience Grace APPENDIX RECOMMENDED RESOURCES CONNECT Books: More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel The Connecting Church by Randy Frazee True Community by Jerry Bridges Understanding the gospel: http://www.grace-bible.org/about/gift-of-grace/ *Grace Bible Church class: Discover Membership find out what belonging to our local church is like GROW Books: 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders Basics of Bible Doctrine by Charles Ryrie Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur Daily Devotionals: My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers Bible study websites: net.bible.org; biblestudytools.com; soniclight.org Bible reading Apps: YouVersion.com; SheReadsTruth.com Online spiritual gift test: http://apps.ctay.net/giftsurvey/ Grace Bible Church Bible studies: Essentials basic doctrines of Christian faith His Story theological overview of Bible Download for free at grace-bible.org *Grace Bible Church class: Discover Your Ministry understand your spiritual gifting and ministry fit SERVE & MULTIPLY Books: The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman Critical Mass by Shane Sanders How People Change by Timothy Lane Instruments in the Redeemer s Hands by Paul Tripp *Grace Bible Church classes: Perspectives on the Christian World Movement understand and experience God s heart for the nations Instruments in the Redeemer s Hands learn how to help others change * See grace-bible.org for current class offerings 11
GRACE BIBLE CHURCH DOCTRINE STATEMENT Below are the essential doctrines upheld by Grace Bible Church along with supporting scriptural references. The Bible: We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; John 17:17). Though Scriptural truth is spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:13, 14), it is not subjective or a matter of personal opinion (2 Peter 1:20). Ultimately, its reliability rests on the promises of God that it is powerful, will endure, and will accomplish what God pleases (Isaiah 40:8, 55:11; Matthew 5:18; Hebrews 4:12). The Trinity: We believe in one God eternally existing in three equal persons -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who have the same nature and attributes, but who are distinct in office and activity (Matthew 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). Jesus Christ: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God (John 1:1; 17:5, Hebrews 13:8) became man without ceasing to be God (Hebrews 2:17, 18; John 1:1, 14; Phil. 2:5-10), having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35), in order that He might reveal God (John 8:19; 14: 7, 9) and redeem sinful man (Gal. 3:13; 4:4, 5). We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice (II Cor. 5:21). We believe that our redemption and salvation are guaranteed by His literal physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 4:25; 2 Cor. 15:1-4, 17, 20). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, where as High Priest He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy for His people (Hebrews 1:3, 3:1, 7:23-25; 1 John 2:1-2 The Holy Spirit: We believe that God-the Holy Spirit is a person (John 14:16, 17, 26) who convicts people of sin (John 16:8), regenerates those who receive Christ as savior (John 3:5-8), baptizes them into the church (1 Cor. 12:13) the body of Christ, indwells them permanently (Romans 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19), seals them unto the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13, 4:30) and fills those yielded to Him (Eph. 5:18). To those who live in submission to the Spirit, He leads, gives assurance and prays for them (Romans 8:14, 16, 26). He also bestows spiritual gifts on each one in order to equip for ministry and edify the church (Eph. 4:11, 12). These gifts are not for personal gratification (1 Cor. 14:12), but for the benefit of the believing community and the world. Salvation and Eternal Security: We believe that salvation is a gift of God (Romans 5:15, 6:23) and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin (2 Cor. 5:21) We believe that man is justified by grace through faith apart from works (Romans 3:21-28; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 3:5). We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever (Romans 8:1, 38-39; John 10:27-30) having been called according to His purpose and grace that was given us in Christ before there was time (2 Tim. 1:9). Sanctification: We believe that at salvation we are justified, declared righteous and set apart or sanctified on the basis of the finished work of Christ (Romans 5:1, 16, 4:5; 1Cor. 1:2; Heb. 10:10). Experientially, however, believers may be immature (Heb. 5:12-14). The faithful Christian s life is characterized by a walk of faith (Romans 14:23; 2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 3:11; Hebrews 11:6) in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-18) toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). Thus, we may be His disciples as we abide in His word (John 8:31). Experiential sanctification (Eph. 4:7-15, 5:26, 27; 1 Thessalonians. 5:23; 2 Tim. 2:21) or discipleship is not to be equated to the possession of eternal life. A disciple bears much fruit (John 15:8) but, unfortunately, there are carnal believers (1 Cor. 3:1) who not having the joy of faithfully abiding in Christ (John 15:9-11; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 4:4-7) have not produced good fruit, but at the Judgment Seat of Christ they are saved, yet as through fire 1 Cor. 3:11-15). The Church: We believe that the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ (Eph. 1:22, 23; 2 Cor. 11:2), is a spiritual organism, made up of all born-again persons of this present age (Eph. 2:19-22, 3:6-10, 4:4, 5; Col. 1:18; Hebrews 12:23). We believe that the Church began at Pentecost (John 7:39; Acts 2:4) and that a believer is placed into the Church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). We believe that the Church is distinct from Israel (Eph. 3:3-6, 9, 10; Romans 11:1, 11, 25-29). We believe that the local church is an assembly of professed believers in Jesus Christ who are voluntarily joined together in one locality (Romans 16:1-5, 23; 1 Tim. 3:5) for the purposes of worship, study of the Word of God, observance of the ordinances, Christian fellowship, and to be equipped for Christian service (Acts 2:42, Eph. 4:11-13). 12
13