Lutherans (and many other Christians) believe that God comes to us in baptism and claims us as children of God. If you were baptized as infants or small children—you couldn't decide if you wanted to be saved. God already did the deciding when he sent Jesus to die so that the world might live eternally.

Baptisms remind all of us that we are "saved by grace through faith, and not by good works."

• Who decided you were going to be baptized?• What happened (to you, to your family, to the church, to God) when you were baptized?• How do you live out your baptism today?• How can you remember your baptism, even if you were baptized as a baby?

When did someone do something nice for you that you didn't deserve?

Maybe it was a time when you didn't feel "good enough," and some reminder of God's grace freed you from that stress.

Perhaps it was something you read that made you really understand the concept of grace. Or it could have been something you witnessed, either on a large or small scale.

• Why does this moment make you think of grace?• How has grace changed your outlook on the world, on people, on your life?• How has grace empowered you for service?

Ephesians 2:8-9Have the entire class read the verses aloud together. Ask students what they think it means to be "saved by grace through faith." There are three loaded words there—saved, grace, and faith—words that don't have easy definitions. Encourage conversation and even disagreement among the young scholars as they grapple with this concept.

Lutheran Study Bible page 1923

"What is the grace of God?”What does "the Holy Spirit is the first missionary" mean?

Lutheran Study Bible page 1822Read the Lutheran Perspectives note "What does it mean to be 'saved by grace’?”Break down the Martin Luther quote—how does grace do "everything"?What drives us to share God's grace with others?

John 3:17Indicate that this verse is often overlooked because the preceding verse is so popular.

However, it has important things to say about grace. Have the entire class read this verse aloud. Ask students what God's motive was in sending Jesus to earth. (Not to condemn the world, but to save it.)

What do you think John means by "that the world might be saved through him"?How does this verse help you understand what God is about?How might this verse help you on a day when you're feeling like you aren't "good enough"?

(Some students will have a hard time with the paradigm shift from thinking of God

as judging to God as loving. Perhaps God is both!)

Acts 6:8Stephen was one of the first people to come to believe in Jesus. Stephen's faith in God's grace had a powerful effect on his life.• What does this verse say about Stephen?• Does he sound like a guy you might listen to?

Warning: Sometimes the "great wonders" you do when you are "full of grace" may be unpopular. Stephen was arrested and stoned to death because of what he said and did.

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Read together the third article of the Apostles' Creed, stopping before you get to Luther's explanation.

Ask students to brainstorm ways they think this article of the creed connects with the lesson today.Then read Luther's explanation together.What is surprising? What is interesting?

Where does faith come from?

Affirm the paradox – we believe that we cannot believe in God on our own (not by our reason, not by trying really hard, not by working on it, etc.) We have faith as a gift.