GRACE - In the Bible and in my Life: Session 2

Here's the second in a pair of studies about grace I did for my confirmation class. Hey, note I'm posting the 2nd before the 1st so they can get read logically in order.

"GRACE"

Discuss some ideas about grace (what it is, what it is not, how we get it, how we give it).

Why is grace important?

Grace is about God's love and God's reign. Grace also is about God's freedom and our freedom.

What is freedom?

These passages from Matthew's Gospel are among those that perhaps emphasize our relationships to one another. But remember...there always are three parties involved in grace: God, myself, and another person or persons!

• Matthew 5: 23-24
• Matthew 5:44-45
• Matthew 18:21-22

Can you write or talk about a real-life example involving your experience with grace?

More about grace:

• Luke 15:11-24
• John 13:34
• 2 Corinthians 5:17–19

As you read in the Bible, stop to think and talk about how we can make grace alive and real to others.

"MEANS OF GRACE"

We sometimes refer to the sacraments – Baptism and Holy Communion – as "means of grace." It is unlikely anyone ever will know everything there is to know about the sacraments! But we do know that in and through Baptism and Holy Communion we receive grace in a special way accompanied by the "means" or the manner of physical, earthly stuff.

Here are some of the most important New Testament passages about...

Baptism:

• Matthew 28:18-20;
• Romans 6:3-4

and about Holy Communion:

• Matthew 8:11
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26