The Evergreen Tree
In Christ, God brings you from death to life and makes you a canvas for His kindness and a monument of His goodness.
KEY VERSES
Ephesians 2:1-10 (NASB)
1 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
UNDERSTANDING
How many Christmas trees do you put up in your house each year? If you put up more than one, what is different about them?
Is your Christmas tree a hodgepodge of decorations or do you have a theme? Why?
What is your favorite ornament to put on the Christmas tree each year? What is special to you about that ornament?
How do verses 1-3 help us understand what sin is? How do they show us that sin is not just a bad choice, but a condition in which we live?
Why is it important that we understand humanity, apart from Christ, to be dead and not just bad?
How does that understanding change the way we view the good news of the gospel?
God would have been justified in destroying us all for our sinful rebellion. What motivated Him to rescue us, instead?
What qualities of God are listed in verses 4-5? What is the difference between mercy and grace?
Why is “but God” such a statement of hope? What is your “but God” moment—the moment when everything changed spiritually for you? How is your life different now than it was before Christ?
How has God had mercy on you? What is the greatest evidence of God’s love for you? How has God demonstrated grace to you?
What are the benefits and the goal of our salvation, according to Paul in verses 5-7? How does this help you better understand God’s desire for your life?
Why is it impossible to earn salvation or God’s favor? Why do people try? • What is the relationship between grace and faith in our salvation?
According to these verses, why are we here? If our good works don’t lead to our salvation, what should be our reason for doing them?
How does it make you feel to know that God has already prepared situations for you to do good works? Why?
APPLICATION
From Ephesians 2:1-10, how would you explain to someone how a decorated evergreen tree could be a symbol of Jesus’ love to you?
How does it change your perspective on this difficult season to know that God is making you a canvas for His kindness and a monument of His goodness? What is your role in that process?
WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?
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GIVING
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