Blessed to Be a Blessing

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Connect

What is one of the best gifts you’ve ever given to someone?

Cultivate

Summary: As believers in Christ, we are not merely recipients of God’s grace, we are grace-givers. The truth of the gospel, along with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, changes our lives. God’s indescribable grace and gifts motivate us to share the good news of Christ with others and to love others as God loves us.

Read Ephesians 3:1-13 and ask the following questions:

1. What do you like about this passage?

2. What do you find uncomfortable or difficult to understand in this passage?

3. What appears to be the main idea emphasized in this passage? (Look for repeated words or ideas.)

Consider how the following passages increase our understanding of this topic:

Re-Read Ephesians 3:1-3,8.

• According to Paul in these verses, why did God give him grace?
• Who benefited from the grace Paul was given?
• Why is it so tempting to keep good things to ourselves instead of share it or give it away?

Read Genesis 12:1-3.

• How do you think God intended for Israel to bless other nations?
• From what you know of the Old Testament, what are some of the reasons Israel failed in this mission?

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

• What qualifies us to be God’s ambassadors?
• What is the message of reconciliation with which we’ve been entrusted?

4. What are the beliefs and values promoted in these passages?

5. What do they reveal about our human condition and God’s response?

6. How are these beliefs and values similar or different from those that have influenced you? (such as your family, culture, peers, church, etc.)

7. How might our faith increase and our lives change as we embrace what is true and important?

8. In light of what we’ve discussed, how can we pray for each other right now?

Care

Since we last met, what happened as a result of expressing Christ’s love to others?

How can you, or we, express Christ’s love to others this week?

Here are a few ideas:

• Pray God would meet their deepest needs.
• Help meet a felt need they have.
• Encourage them with a text, note or verbally.
• Give them a thoughtful gift or buy them coffee.
• Invite them to do something fun or meaningful.
• Listen to their story.
• Explore their thoughts on the gospel.