Grace

Community Group Discussion Guide: Grace
Read: Luke 6:27-38 NASB95 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. [30] Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. [31] Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. [32] If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. [35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. [37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
Icebreakers:

• Have you ever held a grudge against someone for an extended period of time?  (What is accomplished by holding a grudge?)
• Is forgiveness something that is easy for you to do, or do you struggle when you feel that justice has not be served?
• What is the difference between the concept of justice as opposed to grace?​ 

Big Idea: God is good and full of grace.  When it comes to "us," we are not so good and not known as creatures that are full of grace.  In most New Testament texts, grace is mentioned as an attribute of God.  Grace (Geek: Charis) is generally defined as the spontaneous, unilateral, unmerited gift of God’s favor that ultimately leads to salvation. The concept of God's grace is encapsulated in Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Digging Deeper: Jesus gives his audience a definitive teaching on grace.  His teaching is challenging from the first sentence, where Jesus challenges His listeners with these words: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."
Read verses 27,28: [27] “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1. Why is it so hard for most people to love their enemies?
2. What is the difference between grace and justice?  (Why do most of us prefer the idea of justice?)
   

Read verses 29-31: [29] Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. [30] Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. [31] Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.

1. Should we apply this teaching to everyday life?  (Why or why not?)
2. Have you ever had the opportunity to turn the other cheek?  (How did that work out for you?)

Read verses 32-34: [32] If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. *Note: The English word "credit" is the Greek word "charis" or grace.

1. In order to express "God-like" grace, Jesus tells us that we would need to love those that do not love us; do good to those who may not do good to us; and loan money without the expectation of getting anything in return.  Why is this level of grace a difficult pill to swallow?
2. How has God demonstrated grace towards you?
   

Wrap-up: Read verses 35-38. [35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. [37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

• Extending grace to other people is not the expected human response.  Most people expect that others will judge them, will condemn them, and not forgive them.  This makes grace an effective means by which to have Godly influence on others