warm-up

What’s the nicest thing someone did for you this week? How did it make you feel?

Recall a time when you saw something or someone (e.g. a flower, a plant, an animal, or a baby) awaken. How did it happen?

What person do you trust the most? Why do you trust him/her?

word

8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

(Read Ephesians 2:1-7.)

The Bible says that without Christ and His saving work, we are dead in our sins. We are not bad or in need of a little help; we are dead. But God’s mercy, love, and grace cause dead people to come alive. Our salvation is God’s work and gift. We could never do anything to deserve it. Jesus Christ took our place and paid the price for our sin through His death, burial, and resurrection. This is the gospel. And the only appropriate response is to believe in Him and gratefully live a life that glorifies Him.

1
We are saved by grace.

8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8,9

We are saved not by our own effort, ability, or choice. We are saved by God’s grace, which we do not deserve but God chooses to bestow on us. Grace is God’s unmerited favor for us in spite of our sin. What did God do for us even when we were dead in our sin (Ephesians 2:4,5)? Why will boasting of our good works never be heard in heaven?

2
We are saved through faith in Christ.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8

Faith is our response to God’s grace. We believe and rely on Christ’s finished work as the only means for our salvation. The object of our faith is God Himself. How did you make a decision to put your faith in God for salvation?

3
We are saved to do good works.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

As a result of our salvation, we can now fulfill God’s plan for our lives. Our salvation is not based on good works, but it results in good works, which God has already prepared for us to do. We are His workmanship (work of art or masterpiece). Knowing that God prepared us for good works ahead of time, how should we respond? What do you think we should do?

application

Have you received by faith the new life that Christ offers? If not, would you like to put your faith in Christ’s finished work for your salvation?What good works do you believe you can do this week, which God has prepared in advance for you to do?

Can you explain what happened on the cross for you to be saved? To whom can you share it this week?

What good works do you believe you can do this week, which God has prepared in advance for you to do?

prayer

Thank God for making the way for your salvation and for bringing you from death to life. Thank Him for His mercy, love, and grace. Thank Him also for your faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross.

Ask God for boldness and courage to preach the gospel to your family and friends who don’t know Him and haven’t put their faith in Him yet.

Pray that as His workmanship, you would accomplish the good works God has prepared in advance for you to do.

© 2018 by VICTORY®
All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Permission to photocopy this material is granted for local church use. This is not for sale.
victory.org.ph