Jesus is… lesson 8

Live like you are righteous… because you are!!

How? Because of Good Friday. God sent His Son into the world to pay the price for our sins. In turn, He gives us His forgiveness, righteousness, and grace, all as free gifts.

Free? Yes! 

Consider these verses…

1 Corinthians15:12-20 –  Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

Romans 5:18-19 – So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

Colossians 3:1-4 – Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

The Fatal Disobedience of Adam and the Triumphant Obedience of Christ

by John Piper

https://player.vimeo.com/video/48848183?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff

See the full resource here. 

Discussion Time

1. What does “hollow faith” look like? 
2. Why does it matter if Jesus rose from the dead or not? 
3. What does it mean that we’ve been transformed from the inside and given the new nature? 
4. How can it be true that we are no longer sinners by definition when obviously we still all sin? 
5. What does it mean to live from who Jesus made us to be, not for who Jesus wants us to be?

For your study time this week…

1) Colossians 3:1-4 – “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

1. What does it mean to think about the things of heaven? 
2. What are God’s primary goals for us? 
3. Why is it hard to focus more on Jesus them on our weaknesses and sins? 
4. In what way is sure living in by-product of our walk with Jesus? 

2) Romans 5:20-21 – “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1. Can both sin and grace rule over the same person at the same time? Explain. 
2. Do you ever project your insecurities regarding human approval on God? Do you think God has the same opinion of you that other people do? How is His opinion of you different? 
3. Why is it so difficult to adjust to a grace-ruled life? 
4. How can your relationship with God be better today knowing you are always in right standing with Him? 

3) Galatians 5:4 – “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

1. How do we get right with God? By grace, by good works, or both? 
2. Does doing good make us more righteous in God’s eyes? Why or why not? 
3. What happens to grace when we try to make ourselves righteous with our works?
4. Do you ever find yourself thinking that you were saved by grace initially but now you have to maintain your holiness by good works? 

4) 1 John 5:1-5 – “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world —our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

1. How difficult is it to overcome sin, to please God, and to remain in His love? 
2. How important is our performance in the struggle to live in holiness? What happens if we mess up?
3. Who is the star player on our team?
4. Why does sin seem like such a big opponent sometimes? Does sin still seem big when compared to God?

5) Isaiah 66:1-2 –  Thus says the Lord,

“Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool.

Where then is a house you could build for Me?

And where is a place that I may rest?

2 “For My hand made all these things,

Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord.

“But to this one I will look,

To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”

1. Why is God’s perspective so different from ours? 
2. Why does it make us feel better to try to take control of the situation?
3. Why is Jesus able to relax even though sin still affects the world? 
4. What good does it do to worry about the future? How does the fact that Jesus is calm and in control help you stay calm?

Jesus is… lesson 7

Jesus is with us and for us!

When we think about the heartaches and struggles of life, the losses, the painful times, the times of panic and fear… have you ever thought that maybe God is distant and that He might not rescue you? Do you really believe that He is with us and for us? 

He never, ever, ever, ever, leaves us or forsakes us! We must never forget that promise! NEVER! Though we may FEEL abandoned, we NEVER are ever abandoned! In fact, not only that, but Jesus knows our anxious hearts even better than we do. He feels what we feel. He weeps with us. He carries us and prays for us. And what is more, He has a plan that exceeds our highest expectations and hopes. He has decided that from before the foundations of the world. He is committed to His own glory, and to our ultimate good. Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God!

//player.vimeo.com/video/68629553

Other verses to consider…

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare, and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”

Psalm 23:1-6
1 The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Romans 5:1-5 – “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Discussion time…

1. Why is Jesus with us? Why did He make the promise to always be with us? 
2. What does it mean that Jesus is “for us?” 
3. If God is for us, then those who are against us should really be a minor issue. So, why do we let the people and things that oppose us become bigger obstacles than they really are? 
4. How have you seen God taking the difficult experiences in your life and working them together for good? 
5. How can tomorrow be different for you knowing that whatever it brings, Jesus is both with you and for you?

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/qRqbvz9BeBw&source=uds

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/JEu3kHz7JEI&source=uds

Other things to consider…

Who Shall Separate Us from the Love of Christ?

Fear Not

7 Ways to follow God’s will for your wait

Three things to learn from Romans 8:35

Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of Christ
God Demonstrates His Love Toward Us
Speak the Truth to Yourself
The Fruit of Hope: Joy
Death: A Misunderstood Mercy
Going Deep with God in Depression

//player.vimeo.com/video/81444269?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff

For your study time this week…

1) Romans 8:31-32 – “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

1. When you were a child, did you believe that your parents, grandparents, or other family members would do anything within their power to help you? How did they show sacrificial love? 
2. Have you ever felt that God is against you or has deserted you? Why? Was it the correct conclusion? 
3. How can God’s gift of his only Son trump all arguments against God, especially during times of crisis? 
4. What could be the “everything else” that Romans 8:31–32 describes mean for your life? What does God want to provide for you? 

2) John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

1. What does Jesus say is more important than the “many trials and sorrows” we will have while on earth? 
2. How has Jesus “overcome the world?” 
3. What makes it difficult for you to find peace in times of turmoil? 
4. Life can be hard at times, but what can we look forward to as our ultimate reward after this life is over? 

3) James 1:2-4 – “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

1. Have you seen any trials in your life develop perseverance and other forms of maturity in you? 
2. How can someone who has endured pain and loss come out stronger than someone who hasn’t experienced such difficulties? 
3. What are the most difficult types of trials for you to persevere through and see God working in? 
4. Have you ever experienced something that at first seemed to be a catastrophe that ended up being just what you needed? 

4) John 1:17 – “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

1. Does God always look on us with favor? Can we make him stop loving us? 
2. What picture do you have in your mind of God? Does that picture change depending on your performance or behavior?
3. What does God think about you when you have sinned? 
4. Is it easy for you to imagine God celebrating you? Why or why not?
5. Does God Make Much of Us?

5) Romans 8:35-39 – “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1. What is your greatest fear? How does the knowledge that God loves you help you deal with that fear? 
2. When we consider all the suffering in the world, how can we still say confidently that we have been given “overwhelming victory?” 
3. Though not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love, that doesn’t mean they don’t try. Are there circumstances in your life right now that make you feel as though God’s love has failed? Has it failed? 
4. How did Jesus reveal God’s love for us? Do you find it easier to believe in God’s love when you look at Jesus’ life?

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/hFTl9KM3JNM&source=uds

Jesus is… lesson 6

Jesus is our Loving Saviour and Lord!

One day, He will call your name and you will come, just as He did when He called Lazarus to come forth. What does this tell you about how much He loves us?

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/JR1ku3kE2lY&source=uds

John 11:1-46
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 This He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” 12 The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. 14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” 16 Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”
17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. 20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. 21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”
28 When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him.
30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34 and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?”
38 So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” 44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done.

//player.vimeo.com/video/10868953?portrait=0&color=ff9933 How He Loves : A Song Story from john mark mcmillan on Vimeo.
A short documentary on John Mark McMillan and the song How He Loves.

Other verses to consider…

1 John 4:7-10 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Romans 5:8-11 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

Discussion time!

1. When Lazarus fell ill, Mary and Martha’s first response was to send for Jesus. When you are in a time of crisis, where do you turn first?
2. How does it feel when you know you are loved by someone?
3. Besides Jesus, where do we tend to look for love? How does that love compare to the love of Jesus?
4. Do you ever find yourself trying to convince God to be good to you? What does that say about your concept of God?
5. In the heated moments of our lives, Jesus and His love for us should occupy our thoughts. What other things tend to distract us from what we should do?
6. How does God show His love for us? 

How He Loves Us

David Crowder

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us, oh,
Oh, how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us, oh,
Oh, how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If his grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about the way…

He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us…
Oh, how He loves us…
Oh, how He loves us.

More for your study time this week…

1) Eph 3:17-19 – “… so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”

1. How can we understand the love of Christ for us? Is it even possible? What is the best description you can give from a human perspective?
2. What do you think Paul means by “being rooted and grounded in love?”
3. What do you think he means by “filled up to all the fullness of God?”
4. Think of the thing that is most unloveable about you. Do you think that Jesus still loves you? Why does He?

2) 1 John 4:9-10 – “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

1. How is God’s love better than our love? Why was sending His Son to earth the ultimate demonstration of God’s love?
2. When someone gives you an amazing gift that shows how much he or she loves you, how do you typically respond? What does it do for your relationship?
3. Have you ever wondered if God abandoned you or stopped caring for you?
4. How does the gift of Jesus sand eternal life through Him put our present difficulties in perspective?

3) John 15:13-15 – “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

1. What would you be willing to do for your best friend? 
2. How important is friendship in your life? Would your best friend be willing to die for you? Would you be willing to die for him or her?
3. Do you view Jesus as your friend? How does that affect your relationship with Him?
4. Jesus viewed us as friends for whom He was willing to die. What does that say about who you are?

4) John 13:23 (and 20:2; 21:7, 20) “…the disciple whom Jesus loved…”

1. Did Jesus love any disciple more than the other?
2. Was John arrogant to call himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved?” Explain.
3. How can it be detrimental to us to look to other people to define or value our self-worth?
4. Are you Jesus’ favorite? Explain.

5) 1 John 3:1 – “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

1. What does it mean to be “children of God?”
2. Do you feel worthy to be called a child of God? Does He find you worthy of it? Explain the difference.
3. What rights and privileges do you have as a child of God?
4. How does it feel to know that you are part of God’s family?

Jesus is… lesson 5

Jesus is… our Advocate, not our accuser!

We are forgiven. He remembers our sin no more. Can you grasp what that means??


John 8:1-11 – “But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “ He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “ I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.””

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/0ylFgewaFcM&source=uds

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/SOpsxAhcfo8&source=uds

Consider these verses…

1 John 4:17-18 –“By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” 

Romans 5:1-2 – “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/nZvf_-331t0&source=uds

Discussion time!

1. Why do you think Jesus refused to answer the Pharisee’s question directly?
2. How do you think the woman felt when she heard Jesus tell her that He did not condemn her either?
3. In what ways can you relate to the adulteress about to be stoned? In what ways can you relate to those who were ready to stone her?
4. What sins in others’ lives cause you to pick up stones?
5. What makes it difficult for you to be an advocate of those in your life who are doing something of which you may not approve?
6. How could you better assume the role of an advocate of those in need?

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/trSA7PJfVSw&source=uds

More for your study time this week…

1) Matthew 20:1-16 – “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’ 9 When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. 10 When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

1. Should people always “get what they deserve?” Do you have trouble giving or receiving grace? Why?
2. Does grace seem unfair? Why or why not?
3. How did Jesus’ death fulfill the wages of sin? (cf, Rom 6:23)
4. What things do people do to try to pay for their sin? Do any of them work?

2) Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

1. Why would Jesus die for sinners?
2. Have you ever been wildly passionate about something or someone? How did you show that passion?
3. Do you find it reassuring to know that Jesus died for you even knowing that you were a sinner? How?
4. Why do we sometimes try to hide our sinfulness from God?

3) Romans 4:4-5 – “Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness…”

1. Would you rather earn something or have it given to you as a gift? Why?
2. Is it difficult to receive an extravagant gift, especially from someone you could never repay? Why?
3. What is most difficult for you to comprehend about your righteousness before God?
4. How might you live differently if you saw yourself as God sees you?

4) John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

1. What does the world say an abundant life looks like?
2. How is Jesus’ idea of an abundant life different from the world’s idea?
3. In what areas are you living an abundant life?
4. How could you be living more abundantly?

5) Hebrews 10:11-14 – “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made A footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” 

1. Why did God instruct the High Priests to offer sacrifices if they could never take away sins forever?
2. Why do we continue to focus so much on sin, even though our debt has been paid and is no longer an issue for us as believers?
3. If the sacrifices made by the Old Testament priests were inadequate to deal with sin permanently, why did they keep offering them?
4. What does the fact that Jesus was a permanent, once for all sacrifice, mean for your past, present and future sins?