Wonders of His Love - Part 2

Sunday, December 10, 2023

*Disclaimer* - Make sure this conversation is level, respectful, and kind. There may be different opinions on predestination and how it works in your group. Please handle the topic with care and lovingly shepherd your group.

Main text: Ephesians 1:3-6

A few passages to consider as we think on this topic:

Discuss the main points:

  • What His predetermined love doesn’t mean 

    • It doesn’t mean you don’t make choices

    • It doesn’t mean that God chose people for hell

  • What His predetermined love does mean

    • God predetermined that some would be with Him

      • Foreknowledge (He knows who will choose him)

      • Foreordination (By God’s good pleasure he chose some)

  • How His predetermined love leads us to respond

    • Frustration (negative)

    • Arrogance (negative)

    • Humble thankfulness

Questions for greater discussion

  • Discuss these two quotes from Charles Spurgeon: “(Predestination) does not involve reprobation. There may be some who hold unconditional reprobation. I stand not here as their defender, let them defend themselves as best they can… If he be lost, damnation is all of man; but, if he be saved, still salvation is all of God.”  “I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards” 

  • What is the difference between man’s responsibility for sin and God’s sovereign reign over all creation?

  • How have you seen the topic of God’s election be divisive and not loving in the church? What can we do to redeem this conversation in our church?

  • Does doctrine of predestination really matter? Why is it worth talking about and how does it display the power of God’s love towards us?

  • How should we interact with nonbelievers on this topic and what would your response be to a nonbeliever arguing with you on this topic?

  • “He knows you and he still chose you,” how does that impact your relationship with Christ and what are its implications?

Pray for one another and close it out!



Bryson Jackson