KNOWKNOWSalvation Through GraceSalvation Through Grace

HANDWRITING ON THE HEART: HANDWRITING ON THE HEART: “But we “But we believe that through the grace of the LORD believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved…” (Acts Jesus Christ we shall be saved…” (Acts 15:11).15:11).HANDPRINT: HANDPRINT: Grace came to us through Grace came to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

““There is no other salvation except that which There is no other salvation except that which begins and ends with gracebegins and ends with grace.” .” —Charles H. —Charles H. SpurgeonSpurgeon

““Grace”Grace”Peter..Peter..

experienced salvation by Graceexperienced salvation by Grace realized the magnitude of that Price for realized the magnitude of that Price for

man’s redemptionman’s redemption realized the power of the Resurrectionrealized the power of the Resurrection proclaimed and affirmed the message to proclaimed and affirmed the message to

the massesthe masses

FROM HIS HAND: FROM HIS HAND: Matthew 16:16-28.Matthew 16:16-28.

TRACE HIS HAND: TRACE HIS HAND: What declaration did What declaration did Peter make in Matthew 16:16?Peter make in Matthew 16:16?

What promise did Christ give Peter (Matthew What promise did Christ give Peter (Matthew 16:17-19)?16:17-19)?

Why do you think Peter reacted so strongly to Why do you think Peter reacted so strongly to this news? How might Christ’s equally strong this news? How might Christ’s equally strong response have influenced Peter’s future response have influenced Peter’s future actions?actions?

Does Peter’s initial reaction provide a clue as to Does Peter’s initial reaction provide a clue as to why salvation by grace (through Christ’s death why salvation by grace (through Christ’s death and resurrection) is so difficult for some toand resurrection) is so difficult for some tograsp? Explain.grasp? Explain.

Is salvation by grace an easy or difficult Is salvation by grace an easy or difficult concept for you?concept for you?

LEND A HAND: LEND A HAND: Share your salvation experience. Share your salvation experience. How did the grace of God appear to you? How How did the grace of God appear to you? How would you explain grace to someone?would you explain grace to someone?

GRACE NOTES: GRACE NOTES: Listen to and ponder the words of Listen to and ponder the words of these salvation-by grace songs during the coming these salvation-by grace songs during the coming week: “ Amazing Grace,” “Were it Not for Grace,” week: “ Amazing Grace,” “Were it Not for Grace,” “Amazing Grace; My Chains Are Gone,” “His Grace “Amazing Grace; My Chains Are Gone,” “His Grace Was Greater.”Was Greater.”

TOUCHPOINT: TOUCHPOINT: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense—God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense—are you familiar with this acrostic for grace? are you familiar with this acrostic for grace? Create your own grace acrostic for sharing with Create your own grace acrostic for sharing with others. others. Example: Example: God redeems and conquers evil.God redeems and conquers evil.

KNOWKNOWGrace After Failure and BetrayalGrace After Failure and Betrayal

HANDWRITING ON THE HEART: HANDWRITING ON THE HEART: . . . I . . . I have written briefly, exhorting, and have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand” (1 Peter 5:12).wherein ye stand” (1 Peter 5:12).HANDPRINT: HANDPRINT: God extends forgiveness God extends forgiveness and grace for living as His children.and grace for living as His children.

““Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon.” power, not just pardon.” —John Piper—John Piper

““Fail”Fail”Peter..Peter..

record of a face-down with Peter over his record of a face-down with Peter over his wishy-washy wayswishy-washy ways

listened to reproof and learned from his listened to reproof and learned from his failuresfailures

stood and defended the ministry of Paulstood and defended the ministry of Paul

““Fail”Fail”Peter..Peter..

focused on hopefocused on hope stressed gracestressed grace reminds us that we can stand forgiven in reminds us that we can stand forgiven in

grace grace offers us hope that we can choose to offers us hope that we can choose to

define ourselves by His power at work define ourselves by His power at work within uswithin us

““Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon.” power, not just pardon.” —John Piper—John Piper

FROM HIS HAND: FROM HIS HAND: I Peter 2; Luke 22:24-62I Peter 2; Luke 22:24-62

TRACE HIS HAND: TRACE HIS HAND: Major themes emerge Major themes emerge from Peter’s life and writings. from Peter’s life and writings.

How might each of these themes in the How might each of these themes in the following verses relate to Peter’s life and/or following verses relate to Peter’s life and/or past failures?past failures?

Stones: Stones: (John 1:42; Matthew 16:18; Acts 4:8-(John 1:42; Matthew 16:18; Acts 4:8-12;1 Peter 2:3-8)12;1 Peter 2:3-8)

ShepherdsShepherds: (John 10:14-16; 21:15-17;1 Peter : (John 10:14-16; 21:15-17;1 Peter 2:25; 5:1-4)2:25; 5:1-4)

ServantsServants: (John 18:10; 26; Acts 4:29; 1 Peter : (John 18:10; 26; Acts 4:29; 1 Peter 2:15-17; 2 Peter 1:1)2:15-17; 2 Peter 1:1)

SufferersSufferers: (Matthew 16:21-23; Acts 5:41; 1 : (Matthew 16:21-23; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 2:20-22; 5:1,10)Peter 2:20-22; 5:1,10)

TabernaclesTabernacles: (Luke 9:33; 2 Peter 1:12-14): (Luke 9:33; 2 Peter 1:12-14)

What do you consider your biggest failure? Which of What do you consider your biggest failure? Which of these statements would be true in your life:these statements would be true in your life:

___ I know God’s grace has redeemed this failure.___ I know God’s grace has redeemed this failure.___ I am seeking to know God’s grace as I deal with ___ I am seeking to know God’s grace as I deal with this failure.this failure.___ I am struggling to accept God’s grace in my ___ I am struggling to accept God’s grace in my failure.failure.

If you were to identify a theme in your life, what If you were to identify a theme in your life, what might it be? In what ways could God use this failure might it be? In what ways could God use this failure for His glory?for His glory?

LEND A HAND: LEND A HAND: Have you ever been reproved by Have you ever been reproved by another Christian? If so, how well did you receive another Christian? If so, how well did you receive this? What is your relationship with this person this? What is your relationship with this person now?now?

GRACE NOTES: GRACE NOTES: Listen to and ponder these songs Listen to and ponder these songs this week: “Except by Grace,” “Grace Has Called this week: “Except by Grace,” “Grace Has Called My Name,” “His Grace is Greater.”My Name,” “His Grace is Greater.”

TOUCHPOINT: TOUCHPOINT: “If you make too much of your “If you make too much of your failure, you devalue grace. And if you make too failure, you devalue grace. And if you make too little of your failure, you devalue grace as well.” —little of your failure, you devalue grace as well.” —Paul TrippPaul Tripp

KNOWKNOWGrace in Unfamiliar SettingsGrace in Unfamiliar Settings

HANDWRITING ON THE HEART: HANDWRITING ON THE HEART: “But ye are a “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; which in time past were not a people, but marvelous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy..” (1 Peter 2:9-10).but now have obtained mercy..” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

HANDPRINT: HANDPRINT: No matter where life takes us, we can No matter where life takes us, we can experience His grace as we, the people of God, experience His grace as we, the people of God, obediently follow and seek to glorify Him.obediently follow and seek to glorify Him.

“ “ The will of God will never lead you where the grace The will of God will never lead you where the grace ofof God cannot keep you.”God cannot keep you.”

““At the Time”At the Time”Peter..Peter..

offered encouragementoffered encouragement reminded believers that they were not reminded believers that they were not

homehome

God’s Word offers us encouragement and God’s Word offers us encouragement and exponential graceexponential grace

FROM HIS HAND: FROM HIS HAND: 1 Peter 1:1-2; Acts 12:11-1 Peter 1:1-2; Acts 12:11-17.17.

TRACE HIS HAND: TRACE HIS HAND: Peter could claim a Peter could claim a string of unfamiliar settings in his spiritual string of unfamiliar settings in his spiritual resume. Yet he found grace sufficient for each resume. Yet he found grace sufficient for each situation.situation.

Record the setting and the reason for Record the setting and the reason for unfamiliarity in these passages.unfamiliarity in these passages.

Acts 2:1-6, 12-14:Acts 2:1-6, 12-14:Have you ever experienced powerful worship in Have you ever experienced powerful worship in multiple languages?multiple languages?

Acts 4:3; 5:17-23:Acts 4:3; 5:17-23:Have you ever been questioned or detained for Have you ever been questioned or detained for your faith?your faith?

Acts 5:1-11; 8:9, 18-23:Acts 5:1-11; 8:9, 18-23:Have you ever felt the effects of a church Have you ever felt the effects of a church scandal or witnessed the misuse of power?scandal or witnessed the misuse of power?

Acts 9:36-43:Acts 9:36-43:Have you ever sensed awkwardness in sharing grief Have you ever sensed awkwardness in sharing grief with a family or friends after the death of their loved with a family or friends after the death of their loved one—someone you hardly knew?one—someone you hardly knew?

Acts 10:9-17, 23-24, 27-28:Acts 10:9-17, 23-24, 27-28:Has God ever taken you totally out of your comfort Has God ever taken you totally out of your comfort zone or called you to do something non-traditional?zone or called you to do something non-traditional?

LEND A HAND: LEND A HAND: Which of Peter’s unfamiliar Which of Peter’s unfamiliar settings would seem most challenging to you? settings would seem most challenging to you? Share an unfamiliar setting from your own life. Did Share an unfamiliar setting from your own life. Did you experience grace? How?you experience grace? How?

GRACE NOTES: GRACE NOTES: “He Giveth More Grace,” “Your “He Giveth More Grace,” “Your Grace Still Amazes Me,” “Unredeemed.”Grace Still Amazes Me,” “Unredeemed.”

TOUCHPOINT: TOUCHPOINT: “Your worst days are never so bad “Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.” —Jerry Bridgesbeyond the need of God’s grace.” —Jerry Bridges

KNOWKNOWGrace Through the Eternal WordGrace Through the Eternal Word

HANDWRITING ON THE HEART: HANDWRITING ON THE HEART: “But the “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:25).you” (1 Peter 1:25).

HANDPRINT: HANDPRINT: God’s Word, inspired and God’s Word, inspired and eternal, is the channel through which we eternal, is the channel through which we know, receive and experience grace.know, receive and experience grace.

“ “ He who has not felt what sin is in the Old Testament He who has not felt what sin is in the Old Testament knows little what grace is in the New.” —R. W. knows little what grace is in the New.” —R. W. BarbourBarbour

““Peter’s Epistles”Peter’s Epistles”Peter’s words..Peter’s words..

ReliabilityReliability RevelationRevelation Proofs of the totality of ScriptureProofs of the totality of Scripture RealmRealm

FROM HIS HAND: FROM HIS HAND: 1 Peter 4; 2 Peter 1:16-1 Peter 4; 2 Peter 1:16-25.25.

TRACE HIS HAND: TRACE HIS HAND: Peter accepted all of Peter accepted all of God’s Word as truth. His sermons and letters God’s Word as truth. His sermons and letters include mention of some biblical events and include mention of some biblical events and incidents that people today often term incidents that people today often term problematic, arguable or impossible. How problematic, arguable or impossible. How might Peter’s matter-of-fact acceptance of each might Peter’s matter-of-fact acceptance of each of these lend credence to your own belief or the of these lend credence to your own belief or the defense of God’s Word?defense of God’s Word?

Acts 2:1-6, 12-14:Acts 2:1-6, 12-14:Have you ever experienced powerful worship in Have you ever experienced powerful worship in multiple languages?multiple languages?

Acts 4:3; 5:17-23:Acts 4:3; 5:17-23:Have you ever been questioned or detained for Have you ever been questioned or detained for your faith?your faith?

Acts 5:1-11; 8:9, 18-23:Acts 5:1-11; 8:9, 18-23:Have you ever felt the effects of a church Have you ever felt the effects of a church scandal or witnessed the misuse of power?scandal or witnessed the misuse of power?

Creation — Creation — 2 Peter 3:3-5 (Genesis 1:1-10)2 Peter 3:3-5 (Genesis 1:1-10)Flood — Flood — 2 Peter 2:5; 3:6 (Genesis 7:19-24)2 Peter 2:5; 3:6 (Genesis 7:19-24)Destruction of Sodom — Destruction of Sodom — 2 Peter 2:6-8 (Genesis 2 Peter 2:6-8 (Genesis 19:24-29)19:24-29)Balaam’s donkey Balaam’s donkey — 2 Peter 2:15-16 (Numbers 22)— 2 Peter 2:15-16 (Numbers 22)

Do you personally believe and accept all of God’s Do you personally believe and accept all of God’s Word as truth?Word as truth?

How does this belief and acceptance alter your plans How does this belief and acceptance alter your plans or goals?or goals?

LEND A HAND: LEND A HAND: On a scale of 1-10, rate your level On a scale of 1-10, rate your level of love and appreciation for God’s Word. How of love and appreciation for God’s Word. How would you rate your women’s group or your would you rate your women’s group or your church? ln what ways might each one improve or church? ln what ways might each one improve or bolster its emphasis on knowing Scripture and bolster its emphasis on knowing Scripture and championing the authority of the Bible?championing the authority of the Bible?

GRACE NOTES: GRACE NOTES: “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” “How Firm a Foundation.”“How Firm a Foundation.”

TOUCHPOINT: TOUCHPOINT: “The soul can do without “The soul can do without everything except the word of God, without which everything except the word of God, without which none at all of its wants are provided for.” —Martin none at all of its wants are provided for.” —Martin LutherLuther