This post by kathylarkman was originally published at GRACE PLACE
Sharon Durant, lead teacher for this year’s bible study on Titus and today’s blog post contributor
The good life: Colourful cocktails? A deserted beach? Organic food? A TV series?
This year we’re going to be studying how God’s grace helps us to live the real good life – a life full of good works, done with a thankful, rejoicing, hopeful heart, confident of God’s love and walking in his light. This is the best way to live, the ultimate good life.
Why Titus? Because in the letter to Titus, Paul brings together the two essential ingredients of the good life – grace and good works.
These two might sound like opposites. Don’t we spend ages as Christians reminding ourselves that only God’s grace can save us? That all our good works won’t add anything to Jesus’ completed sacrifice on the cross? If grace is so amazing, why do we try to live a good life?
Well, as one preacher put it, “Jesus did what we can not do, so we could do what we can do.”
I’ve been so blessed by this truth. The grace of God poured on through Jesus did what I can’t do – it paid the price for me and freed me from my sin. But the purpose of this grace was so that I could do what I can – freed up to do good works, to live the good life.
We’re not set free so we can run riot like stray dogs; we’re set free to live purposeful lives that glorify God and bless others.
So, be ready, girls! Over the course of the year, it’s going to get painfully practical. In Titus, Paul applies grace thoroughly to our lives at home, church and in the world.
There’s a lot of momentum already, building on last year’s studies in God’s grace and the (now legendary) weekend away.
Plus this year there are going to be new faces and new voices speaking, sharing from God’s Word about grace for living the good life.
I’m excited. More than I usually am! Because this year the Holy Spirit is leading us forward in living the good life; we’re not being complacent and letting God’s grace go to waste.
I’m praying. I’m praying for you and your study buddy (Don’t have one? Talk to Anne Holmes ASAP so you don’t miss out on the full impact of Titus) that God would prepare your hearts and make you teachable by his grace.
I’m praying for our team of speakers this year as they study and prepare God’s Word.
Please pray with me – for each other, for those preparing the studies and talks… but most of all, please pray that more and more women in Corsham and the surrounding areas would be drawn into God’s grace, begin to live the good life, and study God’s Word together with us.
See you on 24th September!