Redemption

1 · Icebreaker · 7 min

Open the room

What is something you were glad to be done with — a loan, a chore, a season — because somebody else finished it?

Leader. Done-ness. Avoid the book’s “greatest debt you ever owed” prompt. Say that passing is allowed, especially the first few weeks.

2 · The word · 8 min

See it, then say it

Definition, from the book

Redemption is God’s gracious act of purchasing and freeing His people from slavery to sin, death, and judgment through the payment of Christ’s blood, securing their release and restoration to Him.

In the original language

Greek apolytrōsis — a release secured by the payment of a ransom.

Memory verse · Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

Together, open the flashcard for Redemption. Say the word, the definition, and the verse once. Then put the phone away.

3 · Open the Bible · 15 min

1 Peter 1:18–19 and Mark 10:45

The devotion already walked Ruth and the line “free, but not cheap.” Peter names the currency. Mark names the mission. Read both. They are short.

You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Have two readers if you can. Bibles open. The excerpt is only here so a forgotten Bible does not stop the night.

From the passage

1. 1.What were they ransomed from, and what was not valuable enough to pay it?Core

   Leader. Futile inherited ways. Silver and gold cannot do it. The price is Christ’s blood, lamb-like, unblemished.

2. 2.Mark 10:45 says He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom “for many.” What kind of exchange is that?

   Leader. His life for their slavery. A ransom is paid to set captives free. This is purchase, not advice.

4 · Around the room · 20 min

A conversation this chapter did not assign

1. 3.Ephesians 1:7 ties redemption to forgiveness “according to the riches of his grace.” If the price is blood, why does Paul still call the purchase grace?Core

   Leader. Costly to Christ, free to us. Grace is not the absence of a price. It is the presence of a Payer who is not you.

2. 4.1 Corinthians 6:19–20: you were bought with a price, so glorify God in your body. How does being bought change ownership, not only feelings?

   Leader. Redemption transfers the title. The question is no longer “what do I feel like doing with myself?”

3. 5.What futile way, inherited from family or culture, still acts like it owns a Christian? What would it mean to live as someone whose ransom has already cleared?

   Leader. Patterns: anger, image, money, a family script. Be gentle. Ownership by Christ is freedom, not a new slavery to the group’s opinions.

5 · Say it · 5 min

In one sentence

Redemption means Jesus paid with His blood to free us from slavery to sin and bring us back to God.

Ask for two volunteers, not the whole circle. They may look at the sentence, then try it without looking. Clumsy and true is the goal.

6 · Pray · 8 min

Leave silence between these

1. Thank Christ for a price silver could not touch.
2. Name a futile way you want to stop obeying.
3. Pray for someone still living as if they were unbought.