093 | How Does God Love Us?

For the greatest impact, invite a few others to go through this study guide with you.

⌘ Space to Belong | 5-10 minutes

Connect with one another with an ice-breaker.

📝 If you were to write your own “How do I love thee?” poem for someone special, what’s one meaningful line you’d include?

⌘ Space to Believe | 10-15 minutes

Read and reflect on the scripture.

Ephesians 2:1–10 (NIV) 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

What stands out to you? Is there anything new for you to believe or obey?

Other Scriptures referenced in message: Isaiah 9:2; Luke 1:41–45; John 14:6; John 1:4; Romans 10:13; John 10:9; Luke 2:28–30; Matthew 1:21–23; Ephesians 2:8–9; Ephesians 2:10; Luke 2:15–18

⌘ Space to Become | 10-15 minutes

A. Familiarize yourself with the sermon.

Paul Durbin’s message examines the extent of God’s love using Ephesians 2:1–10 as a guide. Just as Elizabeth Barrett Browning counts the ways she loves in her famous sonnet, today’s question is, "How does God love us?" Through a deeper look at Scripture, we see seven profound ways God's love is expressed: He loves us in our sin, loves us when we don’t deserve it, loves us to life, loves us enough to have us sit down, loves us with the gift of Jesus, loves us with grace, and loves us into purpose. Each aspect invites us to respond with awe, gratitude, and a renewed sense of mission in sharing His love with others.

(See the bottom of this note for a full sermon outline).

B. Discuss one or more of the following questions.

God loves us in our sin, even when we work against Him (Ephesians 2:1-3). How does this truth change how you view yourself or others?

Paul mentioned three sources of sin—the world, Satan, and the flesh—all of which pull us away from God.
How can remembering God’s love for you in your darkest moments shape how you treat others who may be far from Him?

Have you struggled to accept that God’s love isn’t based on your worthiness? (Ephesians 2:3) Why is it important to remember we don’t “deserve” His love?
- We are all “beggars telling other beggars where to find bread.”
- How does this truth bring humility and gratitude in your walk with God? How can it affect the way we interact with those who feel unworthy of His grace?
What does it mean to you that God "raises us to life" (Ephesians 2:4-5)—that He speaks life and forgiveness into what was once spiritually dead?
- Paul emphasized Jesus as both exclusive (“No one comes to the Father except through me”) and inclusive (“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”).
- How does this balance challenge you in sharing your faith? Who is someone you may need to share the life of Christ with?
What does it look like for you to "sit down" and receive God's gift of grace?
- Just as Simeon (Luke 2) recognized God’s salvation as a gift, we are invited to rest in Christ’s work rather than striving to earn it.
- How often do you take time to pause and reflect on God’s love for you? What barriers keep you from fully resting in His grace?