This past weekend, we explored that grace is a gift from God given freely to all people, and because of this gift we are saved from sin and brokenness, a life apart from God. This grace is the spark that makes the Methodist fire burn, the starting point of our faith, and an essential root of our theology. As you center your spirit for Vespers, what is a gift you have received that you weren’t expecting? How did it impact, bless, or surprise you?
But what is grace exactly?
Is it something we say before dinner? Is it a kindness offered to someone who has offended us? We may believe it is amazing but how do we understand grace theologically? And, more importantly, what is a uniquely Methodist understanding of grace? Is our understanding of GRACE different or similar to other traditions of faith within the family of Christian churches?
When I was in high school, I heard a pastor explain grace in the form of an acronym: God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. GRACE. Surely, grace is a gift, an invitation to receive God’s riches and become heirs of God’s kingdom now and forever.
To go deeper into the Wesleyan understanding of grace, watch this 4-minute video from “Chuck Knows Church.” Watch Here.
REFLECT
“Grace doesn’t blind us to who we have been—or shield us from taking accountability for the pain we cause—but it provides us with second, third, fourth, and hundredth chances to become better people. Grace comes with a reminder God didn’t leave us where God found us but extended the opportunity to learn and unlearn behaviors for a better next time. … Grace shows up in all of us asking the hard questions to break new ground. Grace is generous and, when we lean into it, we can’t help but extend it to others.” – Candice Marie Benbow
WRESTLING WITH THE WORD
Read: Ephesians 2:4-10
- What does this passage tell us about God’s nature and character?
- Reread verses 8-9. What is the role of grace in this passage? What is the role of works or human action? What does it feel like to be given that gift?
- According to verse 10, how does grace transform or empower us?
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES ABOUT GRACE
- Numbers 13:25-33
- Genesis 6:1-22
- Deuteronomy 1:19-46
- 1 Samuel 17:1-37
- Romans 3:21-26
NEXT STEPS
- In what ways do you think there is room for grace in our culture or not?
- How does the acceptance of God’s gift of grace change how we live in a culture that highly values productivity?
- How do we live in a way that invites others to receive the free gift of grace that none of us can do anything to earn or un-earn?
- What are specific areas in your life where it is hard to show the same grace God shows us? What is an invitation God might be offering you in this area?
PRAY
Dear Lord, we acknowledge the significance of our Methodist roots and are grateful for your boundless grace that uplifts us, forgives us, and sustains us. May we carry this awareness of your grace into our daily lives, extending it to others we meet. As members of our church community, let us contribute to the well-being and growth of our fellow believers. Thank you for your unearned and unending grace, and may we continue to be vessels of your love and grace in the world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
