HOPE: Where have you seen God at work in the last week?

Pastor Tim Lucas delves into the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16, highlighting the unexpected destiny reversal in the afterlife in the story. He addresses three common misconceptions about the afterlife: universalism, purgatory, and reincarnation. Rejecting common false theories about salvation, he underscores the necessity of embracing the unmerited gift of grace, emphasizing that redemption is solely through Jesus' sacrifice. Pastor Tim invites listeners to respond to the gospel message by turning to Jesus and entering into a life of faith and connection with God's family.

HEART:

• In what ways have you experienced God's grace in your life?

• Has the concept of hell been challenging to you and, if so, how?

• How does understanding hard truths in scripture impact your perspective on faith and salvation?

• What is significant in the way that heaven is depicted in this text?

• What can we understand about hell from this passage?

• What expectations about a person’s life after death are challenged by the account of these two men?

HANDS:

• How can we be mindful of the true gospel of grace and avoid slipping into false beliefs about salvation?

• How does knowing that you are unconditionally blessed (favored) by God make a difference in your life?

• How will you share the gift of grace with others this week?

HELP: Prayer

• Ask God to challenge our hearts so that we can embrace His truths.

• Pray for a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's grace and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

• Ask God to help us share the message of grace with others and invite them to turn their attention to Jesus.

Going Deeper: Questions to reflect upon and encourage the conversation to go deeper.

Spend time learning or deepening your understanding of the doctrine of grace. Consider these texts: John 5:24, Romans 3:22-24, Romans 4:13-25, Romans 11:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15:9-10.

• What about grace challenges you?

• Based on these texts how would you explain grace to someone?

• How will you live differently because of grace?