Part 08: How Do I Find My Assignment?
Sermon Summary
This powerful message explores one of the most overlooked yet life-changing truths in Scripture: that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared in advance for us to walk in. While Ephesians 2:8-9 is famous for teaching salvation by grace through faith, verse 10 reveals the stunning purpose behind our salvation. We were not saved merely to escape hell, but to walk in the specific good works God designed for us before we were even born. The sermon outlines eleven biblical ways to discern the good works the Holy Spirit has prepared for you to walk in.
Key Scriptures
Ephesians 2:8-10 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Acts 17:26 - "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands."
1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Ephesians 1:10 - "To be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment, to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."
Instructions for Groups
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don't need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
What does Ephesians 2:8-10 teach us about the relationship between grace, faith, and works? Look carefully at the progression Paul lays out: How does verse 8 connect to verse 9, and how do both verses set up the revelation in verse 10? What specific words does Paul use to show that good works are the result of salvation rather than the cause?
What does it mean that we are God's "workmanship" or "handiwork" according to Ephesians 2:10? The original Greek word is "poiema" (related to our word "poem"). What does this tell us about how God views us? How does this word connect to the idea of being "created in Christ Jesus"? What does it reveal about God's intentionality and care in creating us?
What does the phrase "which God prepared beforehand" tell us about the nature of our assignments from God? When did God prepare these good works? What does this reveal about God's sovereignty and planning? How does this truth impact the way we approach discovering and walking in our purpose?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony
The sermon emphasized that Ephesians 2:8 is famous while 2:10 is largely unknown and overlooked. Why do you think Christians might focus more on being saved by grace than on walking in the good works God prepared for them? What difference would it make in the church if believers took verse 10 as seriously as they take verses 8-9?
The message shared that we often rush to ask "What should I do?" when we should first "lean back into God's great love, wealthy mercy, and incomparably rich grace." Why is this starting point so important? Have you experienced the difference between serving from striving versus serving from a place of resting in God's grace? How does letting grace rewrite your story change your motivation for good works?
If you are doing the 30DayJournal talk about how it is going. Point your group to it as a helpful resource in discerning your assignment.
Putting It into Practice
Based on the sermon's teaching that good works include "sanctifying the ordinary" (work, marriage, family), what is one area of your everyday life where God might be calling you to recognize your assignment? How might God want you to bring glory to Him in a place you've previously seen as "secular" or separate from your spiritual life?
The message outlined eleven different biblical ways we discern our assignment. Which of these stood out to you? Why?
Lean Back & Let God Grace Rewrite Your Story - Ephesians 2
Start where you are planted - Ephesians 4-6 - The story of the Ephesians
The plain teaching of Scripture - The story of Joshua - Joshua 1
The Seminary of Life - The story of David - 1 Samuel 17
God Encounters - Acts 13 - the story of Paul and Barnabas
Where there is need - Acts 6, the Story of Philip
Where you have been comforted by God - 2 Cor 1 - The Story of Paul
What breaks your heart - Nehemiah 1-2 - The Story of Nehemiah
Where are you gifted - The story of Bezalel - Exodus 31
Family Promise/Calling - The story of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
My community - Luke 4- The story of Peter, James and John
Prayer
9. Listening to the Holy Spirit: We're going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
[After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
10. Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?