Too many followers of Christ believe they need God’s grace to be saved, but then live the rest of their lives as if it were all up to them. The Grace Course was developed to help change that thinking.
In Christ, we have received our introduction by faith into God’s grace in which we stand (Romans 5:2). We need to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). And we are to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1).
If you don’t first know God’s love for you in your heart – not just your head – it’s impossible for your life to be motivated by love for Him. Instead you are likely to end up motivated more by guilt or shame or fear or pride. You may be doing all the “right” things, believing all the right things and saying all the right things but there will be precious little fruit and you won’t experience the true rest that Jesus promised.
This 6-week video-based course was created by “Freedom In Christ Ministries” and will be hosted by Dennis & Cathy D Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm April 20 through June 1. Contact the CHURCH OFFICE and let us know that you would like to participate in the course.
In six powerful, grace-filled DVD teaching sessions, Steve Goss (FICM-UK director) and Rich Miller (FICM-USA director) challenge the spiritual status quo of Christianity lived in one’s own strength, striving to gain or maintain acceptance with God through self-imposed or church-imposed rules and regulations.
Session 1: Free!
In chapter one walk with Jesus through the story of the prodigal son.
We all know that we are saved by grace through faith alone. Yet when it comes to living out our Christian lives, it’s easy to slip into thinking that it comes down to obeying a set of rules or living up to certain standards. But God is not looking for slaves who obey because they have to — instead, He wants to free us to rest in His grace so that we serve Him because we really want to.
Session 2: Innocent!
In chapter two grasp hold of your forgiveness in Christ and cancel your guilt trips!
Many of God’s people struggle with a low-grade fever of guilt which makes us “act like we think a Christian should act”. Understanding that we have been declared not guilty once and for all brings us back to a real relationship with God where we can be ourselves and do what we do purely out of love. In Christ we measure up in full to God’s righteous demands!
Session 3: Unashamed!
In chapter three you’ll learn how to exit from a shame-based identity into the newness of life that is yours in Christ.
Past experiences, what others say and our struggles to break free of sin can leave us feeling that there is something fundamentally wrong with us. The truth is that we have become completely new people who can break the cycle of returning time and again to the same old sin issue. In Christ we have become completely new creations at the core of our being!
Session 4: Courageous!
In chapter four find the freedom from fearful living into a new walk of faith and courage.
Our God is an awesome God. But His children can come boldly into His presence without being afraid — we are absolutely secure and safe. And if this God is for us, who can be against us? We need fear no one and nothing except God Himself, and the fear of God is not a cringing mistrust but a deep awe of His great majesty and holiness.
Session 5: Humble!
In chapter five discover the keys to jettison rie and step into a powerful life of humility.
In the Old Testament, God gave His people the Law. When Jesus came, He stated plainly that He had not come to do away with the Law but to fulfil it. If we understand how this works, we will resist the temptation to set ourselves up as nit-picking “guardians of the truth” but will be guided by the Law that is now written on our hearts. We will humble ourselves before God and before each other.
Ministry component: The Steps To Experiencing God’s Grace
This kind and gentle ministry session will help us deal with the things that get in the way of experiencing God’s grace. It is designed to be run on an “away day” retreat between Sessions 5 and 6 or in an individual one-on-one appointment.
Session 6: Fruitful!
Finally in chapter six you’ll have the opportunity to enter into the “grace-rest” life of abiding in Christ in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
When we feel ground down and exhausted, Jesus makes us an astonishing offer: a light yoke and an easy burden. And He really means it! It seems a paradox, but genuinely fruitful ministry that will have value for eternity comes only when we enter into that rest through the gateway of brokenness and learn to depend completely on Him.
Prepare yourslef for a life-touching, life-transforming journey to the heart of the God of grace through The Grace Course. We believe you will never be the same!
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