What's Next?

Whether you heard the message from Sunday or are part of one of our “What’s Next” groups at Venture, here’s a way for you to go deeper.

this week's next steps

Read and reflect on Ephesians 2

Memorize Ephesians 2:10

Sign me up for baptism

Say yes to Jesus - click here

This week's Bible reading plan

This week's fill-in notes

This week's study

Do you remember what your life was like before you found God? Maybe you wanted to “do the right thing” but didn’t really know what that looked like. Maybe you did whatever you wanted, no matter how it affected you or those around you. Or maybe you have found yourself somewhere in the middle. Even if you have been walking with God for most of your life, there are times we have all tried to do things on our own. No matter where you land, you must admit, things sure are harder when we aren’t walking with Him! In Ephesians 2, Paul paints a picture for us of what it looks like doing things without God. Without God, we are spiritually dead. We are enslaved and controlled by our flesh. Our motivations and actions are influenced by the values of the world. We have given into our sinful nature and are dead in that sin. This sounds so ominous and depressing, but don’t let it be! There is hope!

God has freely given us grace. We did nothing to deserve this grace – that’s the beauty of it! When we were so down and out and dead in our sin, God intervened! Paul goes on to explain that God is full of mercy, grace, and love, and this is why He saves us! Not because of our actions, but because of Him! He rescues us from our sin, raises us up darkness, and sets us apart. For that reason, we can freely do the good works that God has created us for. We are His masterpiece.

Questions to Consider:

Knowing that God calls you His masterpiece, do you believe that about yourself? Why or why not?
Reflect on what your life looked like before Christ. How would you describe the difference in your life now?
Consider the choices you have made when you are walking in darkness. What was your motivation behind them? Who were you pleasing?
Read Romans 12:2. What does this mean for your life specifically?
How has this week’s message reframed your perspective on grace and works?