Meeting B: The Grace of God and True Conversion

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By C.S. Lewis Institute on February 20, 2023 ,

The Grace of God and True Conversion

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)

1. Opening Prayer

2. Scripture Reading

Read aloud the Bible passage at the top of this page (Titus 2:11-14).

3. Group Discussion

(1)  What struck you the most about Randy Newman’s teaching in the video, “The Grace of God and True Conversion”?  If you were telling a friend or family member about it, what would you highlight?  What will you remember?

 (2)  According to Tom Tarrants’ article “True Conversion,” what is “godly repentance”?  (See section titled “A Closer Look at Repentance.”)  What is “saving faith”?  (See section titled “A Closer Look at Saving Faith.”)

(3)  What is grace?  Why is it so significant?

(4)  In light of the reading in Habits of Grace, what is the relationship between grace and the spiritual disciplines?  Why does David Mathis describe spiritual disciplines as “means of grace”?

(5)  The concluding paragraph of Reflections, “Finding Our True Selves,” (which follows a passage from C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity) reads as follows:

Giving ourselves wholly to Christ is the only way to discover who we are, the only way to become who Christ means us to be, the only way to experience his riches in this life and the only way to fulfill the purpose for which he made us. It may seem frightening, but once you do it, your only regret will be that you didn’t do it sooner.

How is this related to conversion?  How is it related to discipleship?

4. Prayer Requests

5. Closing Prayer

Homework

 1. Reflect

Within a day or two after the meeting, prayerfully reflect on the meeting and its content.

2. Change

As you consider the Bible studies, readings, teaching video and other activities you have completed in studying the theme—The Grace of God and True Conversion—are there changes you would like to make in your life, or other actions you would like to take at this time?

3. Prayer

Gracious Father, through Jesus Christ you have extended grace to me. By grace, through faith I have been saved. Day by day, help me to comprehend Your grace more and more in my life. Give me an increase of grace this day so that I can respond to Your love by my good deeds. Amen. 

4. Prepare for the Next Meeting

Coming Next: Theme 2:  Following Jesus Christ—Meeting A

(1)  Read 3 2 1—The Story of God, The World and You, by Glen Scrivener, pp. 7-64 (chapters 1-3: Welcome; JESUS: The Way into the Story; THREE: God is a Loving Union of Three) (~58 pages).

(2)  Read booklet Two Ways to Live: The Choice We All Face, by Phillip D. Jenson and Tony Payne (~16 pages).

Read Two Ways To Live on-line for free.

To purchase copies, Click Here.

Pay close attention to the material in this booklet.  Consider the most important question in everyone’s life:  Have you accepted what Jesus Christ has done on your behalf through His death on the cross and His resurrection, and have you asked Him to be your Lord and Savior? If you are not sure about this, we urge you to consider the following resources:

You may also wish to familiarize yourself with these resources above to consider using them with other people.

(3)  Read article, “Following Jesus Christ” by Tom Tarrants, found on CSLI website (from Knowing & Doing, Fall 2011, ~5 pages)

(4)  Complete Bible Study, Romans 12:1-2.

      1. Read. Carefully read this Bible passage.  As you do so, consider: What does the text say?  What was the original intent?  What does the passage mean?  How does the passage apply to my life, and the lives of others, today?
      2. Reflect. What does this passage tell us about what it means to follow Jesus Christ?

COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.

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