Getting Started
Scripture for Reflection
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24 NIV
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 NIV
What do people who have trusted in Jesus call themselves? Most would call themselves a “Christian.” Did you know that the term “Christian” was only used for followers of the Lord Jesus Christ three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; and 1 Peter 4:6)? So what was the term generally used for a Christian? It is the term disciple. Disciple denotes a relationship between a pupil and their teacher. Disciples willingly place themselves under the instruction of the leader. Disciples follow in the footsteps of their teacher. A genuine disciple is a wholehearted disciple.
To be a genuine disciple takes discipline. It takes a pattern of life that will produce, by the work of the Holy Spirit, holy love and holy transformation in disciples.
Over the next couple of courses, we will be learning about developing the disciplines that will help us to be wholehearted disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. To help us on that journey, we will be studying the book The Means of Grace: Traditioned Practice in Today’s World by Andrew C. Thompson.
In this first devotional, you will watch an introductory video by the author, and you will read chapter 1 in The Means of Grace book. Finally, you will respond to the questions for reflection on the threaded discussion line.
As with all devotionals, please pray that God opens the eyes of your heart as you learn about God’s unconditional, transformational, and invitational grace.
Blessings
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
Articulate ethical, Christ-like attitudes, values, and worldview in your professional behavior in your chosen field (ILO 1)
Analyze and synthesize leadership principles related to your chosen field (ILO 6)
Resources
Bible
Textbook: The Means of Grace: Traditioned practice in today’s world
Video: Andrew C. Thompson – The Means of Grace
File: The Means of Grace video transcript
Prayer
Father, thank you for the grace that You have given me through the work of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you that You have given me pardon and power. I have received pardon for my sins and the power to enable me to believe and love and serve You. I pray that Your grace will continue to transform my life and my heart. I pray that, by your Holy Spirit, I would be used to reflect Your grace to those that have not trusted in Your Son. Please continue Your work of grace in and through my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Instructions
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
Read chapter 1 “What Does Grace Have to Do with Me?” of the text, The Means of Grace, by Andrew C. Thompson
Watch the video, Andrew C. Thompson – The Means of Grace
Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following discussion prompts:
The author stated that there are three terms to describe grace. Identify one of them from the reading that stood out to you and explain why it is important in your response.
Have you experienced God’s grace as the pardon for sins in your life? What was that like?
Have you encountered God’s grace as power for healing in your life? When did that happen, and in what way were you healed?
There are two key New Testament words related to how God’s grace works in our lives: justification and sanctification. In an important sense, our salvation encompasses both of these. What questions did you have when you encountered these terms in this chapter?
Video: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/meansofgrace/146927430?autoplay=1
Let me know if you have problems with the video