Back to the Basics 

Week 1

Grace

Ephesians 2:1-10 You were dead through the trespasses and sins ² in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. ³ All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us ⁵ even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— ⁹ not the result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

This week as you meet with your Faith Group talk about the following questions...

1. Has there been a time in your life when you have literally gotten lost using a physical map or your map app on your phone?  
2. Tell about a time in your life when you have allowed other people, influences, or "maps" to guide you in your life?  How did it turn out? 
3. In my sermon I talked about how often we settle for God as the side dish in our lives.  Can you relate to this or share a story where you have only allowed God to be a tiny part of your life? 
4. In my sermon I talked about how God's grace is free but that we have to accept it and grow in our relationship with God.  One of the best ways to grow in our relationship is through the Means of Grace.  Read the article at this link and discuss the Means of Grace and if you are practicing them in your life. 

Finally, as you meet this week, Pastor Jim and I encourage you to also take time to open yourselves up as a group and dialog on the following Wesley Challenge question:  Is Jesus real to me? (pages 19-22 in The Wesley Challenge)