^ Click Take A Note ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.

1.

Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message. (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to watch or listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)

2. Take Grace Expressway

Romans 5:17-19

17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

On Sunday Pastor Gary said that God’s grace was a free gift, God’s idea, and Jesus Himself. He said that God’s grace was on our doorstep like an Amazon package before we even realized we needed it and once we realize we need help and forgiveness all we have to do is open the door and open the package that has our name on it. Pastor Gary said that even better than an Amazon package, our grace arrives certified mail that we have to sign for and no-one else can open.

What do we learn about God when it comes to the grace of salvation being free, God’s idea, and the fact that Jesus Himself is the gift/grace? (Group Discussion)

How do you/we experience all of the “sin” that was passed down through Adam to you/us? How do you/we experience all of the “righteousness” that is/should be passed down through Jesus to you/us? What do these both actually "feel" like for you personally. (Group Discussion)

3. Merge Onto Hope Highway

Romans 5:1-5

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Hebrews 6:18-19

18 hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain

On Sunday Pastor Gary said that scripture doesn't say anything about feelings or wishing when it talks about hope. The bible describes hope as sure, steadfast, an anchor, alive and able to go behind the curtain into the holiest of holy places for us. Jesus is our hope and Jesus is hope.

Pastor Gary told us that hope is still about the future, but future promises we are sure of instead of future wishes filled with uncertainty. Pastor Gary told us that standing in this grace now allows us to experience some of the future hope now that will be completed later. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego we can be in a present fire and at the same time experience the future protection, provision, & presence of eternal life in Jesus.

Daniel 3:24-26

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.

How can we understand biblical hope better? How can we begin to experience biblical hope so more of what is promised in the future is experienced now in the present? Why would God blur the line between what is future and what is present instead of keeping the two completely separate? What is gained if we believe this to be true and pursue it and live in it? What is lost if we don’t believe this, or if we do believe it, but don’t find a way to pursue it or live in it? (Group Discussion - Questions above to be considered as part of the discussion)

* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!