More about Grace
Can we talk too much about grace? Probably not, unless we’re getting the concept wrong. And we sometimes do that because it is way too simple to make natural sense to us.
If your child has grown up in a Christian home and church, he or she has probably heard all about the grace of God repeatedly. Hopefully, our kids have also seen us reflecting God’s grace in how we talk about—and relate to—ourselves, our spouses, and them.
But it’s worth talking about again. For one thing, we live in a performance and reward culture. Be the best and get the best. Do bad things and get bad results. In our attempts as the church and as parents to teach the reality of wisdom and folly, we can unintentionally tuck the grace of God off to the side as an asterisk:
“Yes, we are saved by grace, but . . .” Or, “Yes, God’s love and acceptance of us after we are saved continues to be a free gift of grace, but . . .”
We’re pulling our talking points for this week from 1 Timothy 1:12-17 as a refresher for ourselves and our kids on the dead simple truth that God’s grace means He pours out on us good we do not earn. Look for opportunities to apply the big idea of grace to specific things going on in your family this week.
Talking Points
- How would you define the word “grace”? How does God demonstrate His grace to us? [Parent: Think about reading Ephesians 2:8-9 together and emphasize that we can do absolutely nothing to earn our salvation; God gives it to us for free when we trust in Jesus’ payment for our sin.]
- What do we have to do to earn God’s grace? [Parent: This is trick question. Nobody can earn grace; grace is “unearned good.”]
- Could a violent person who blasphemes God and helps to kill Christians ever possibly receive God’s grace gift of eternal life? [Parent: Yes! Think about reading Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:13 with your child; he was that man.]
- What did Paul do to deserve having God pour out grace on him? [Parent: Another trick question. Paul did not deserve God’s grace, but God gave it to him, anyway. See verse 14.]
- Do you believe that anyone deserves to go to heaven? Why or why not?
- Paul was involved in killing Christians and called himself the worst of sinners. What are some things we have done in our lives that would keep us from ever being able to earn eternal life? [Parent: Think about opening up about some of your own sinful choices and encouraging your child to do so, as well. God’s grace cannot be grasped without understanding our own sinfulness.]
- Grace can’t be earned, but what did Jesus do to make it possible for us to accept the gift of eternal life from God? [Parent: He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and then rose in victory from the grave.]
- Can you think of anyone our family knows who has done some truly terrible things and then trusted in Christ for eternal life. How did accepting that free gift of grace that they did not earn change them? Do you think that’s fair? Would you want God to be “fair” about salvation?
- Would you say that God is patient with us? How often will He forgive us if we continue to struggle with sin? [Parent: Paul writes in verse 16 that Christ’s patience is unlimited.]
- Do you sometimes feel like the message of Christianity is that we need God’s grace to become a Christian—but then we’d better start earning our salvation by doing good works and not sinning? What’s wrong with that idea? [Parent: This is a big deal for some kids. Help yours catch that God’s grace is permanent, not dependent on us doing better “from now on.” Think about reading Romans 8:31-39 together.]
- How do we as a family do at reflecting God’s grace to each other—and people outside of our family? [Parent: Try to have an honest conversation about this. Reflecting God’s grace does not mean parents don’t ever discipline children—but it should mean that our love for each other is not conditional. Forgiven people forgive. People who have received mercy should show mercy.]
- What’s the most logical response to God when we remember again how big his grace really is? [Parent: It only makes sense to worship and serve Him in gratitude. Think about reading verses 12 and 17 together.]
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