Salvation, 7

“The Wonder of It All”

What is grace?

Lesson: (Eph 2.8, 9): “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

G od's R iches A t C hrist's E xpense

Begin lesson by “gifting” each student with something from reward jar, teacher's choice.

The wonder of it all
There's the wonder of sunset at evening, The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul Is the wonder that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all! Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all! Just to think that God loves me.
There's the wonder of springtime and harvest, The sky, the stars, the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul Is a wonder that's only begun.

Amazing Grace

1. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me....I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.
   
2. T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved.How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.
   
3. Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come.T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far and Grace will lead us home.
   
4. When we've been here ten thousand years bright shining as the sun.We've no less days to sing God's praise then when we've first begun.
   

What is grace?

(W) the free unmerited love and favor of God. It means To favor or to honor. Quite simply, a gift.

(Rom 11.5) “And if by grace then it is no more of works.” Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin. (2 Cor 12.9)“My grace is sufficient for thee. “ The application of Christ's righteousness to the sinner. (Rom 5.2)“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”

• Why would someone give you a gift? Write student answers on white board.
  
• Does a gift cost you anything? No
  
• Does a gift cost the giver anything? Yes, What? Write student answers on white board
  
• Again, why would one give another a gift? Revisit answers on white board
  
• Did the receipient of the gift do anything to earn the gift? No
  
• Would you say the gift of salvation is free? Yes
  
• Would you say salvation cost the Lord something? Yes
  
• What did it cost Him? His life
  

The Lord Jesus tells us in Jn 15.13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Is there anyone you would literally die for?

It's a hard question because one doesn't really know what they would do in that situation.

What if a loved one or close friend needed a kidney or blood donation that you could provide, would you do it? Yes, you proably would

Look at the answers you gave for why someone would give you a gift.

Do any of those answers apply to the gift of Salvation? Give students a moment to reflect

A gift is freely given. The giver expects nothing in return, except gratitude and recognition that the receipient is pleased with the gift. Any reaction less than gratitude is rejection.

GRACE is a free gift. You did nothing to earn it. You do nothing to keep it. IT IS FREE! Just like a gift you gave.

What you CAN do is remain thankful and grateful that the Lord bothered to give it to you.

Do you have the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ living in your heart? This is between you and God, regardless of the answer you give me.
How are you saved? Look at our memory verse. The verse says “by grace.”
What is your role in receiving grace? Faith
Did you do anything to earn or deserve it? No, its “not of yourselves”
How was grace given or bestowed, according to the verse, what is grace called? “a gift”
Is there anything you can do to receive it? “believe” may be given but again point out what one did to earn a free gift. Nope, it's an entirely a “gift of God.”
Paul tells us in (2 Cor 9.15)“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
Jesus says, of Himself in (Jn 4.10)“If thou knewest the gift of God, ...” He was telling the woman at the well how she would never be thirsty, for fellowship, again...
Paul says in (Rom 5.15, 15) “the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ,...gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”
(Rom 6.23) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
What is the “gift of God” according to this verse? “Eternal life through Jesus Christ”
(Rom 11.29) concludes: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” In other words, God has no regrets, ever, whom He chose to give the “GIFT” of salvation.

When He comes knocking on your hearts door – When He breathes life to your dead soul – you must respond. Just like you choose to whom you will give a gift – So does the Lord.

Has the Lord ever given you the gift of Life in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ?

We began the lesson by singing/saying the song “Amazing Grace.”

Well, is grace, the gift of God “Amazing to you?