Before and After

DAILY READING

Psalm 77

Ephesians 2:1-10

FIELD NOTES

I am a sucker for a good “before and after” story. It doesn’t matter what it is. It might be photos of a run-down, dilapidated house which is turned into a show-house; or a person’s “extreme makeover” where they lose a lot of weight, get fit, and have a stylist wardrobe them in the latest styles. I love the notion that things and people that were broken down, wrecked, out of style, or out of shape can be transformed and made new again. 

In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul asserts that God can take human beings — “children of wrath” who are dead in their sins — and transform them by grace into his own dear children. His gift of grace sets us free from our sins and allows us to live lives that bless others and honor him.

I love a good “before and after” story — and the best one of all is what God’s grace can do for each one of us when we accept his gift of transformation.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• What is your “before and after” story?
• When has God transformed your life and made you new?
• Is there an area of your life that needs a make-over? 

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• With your parent or trusted adult, look for pictures in a magazine of “before and after.” Notice all the changes from “before” to “after.”
• Think about something in your life that could be made better if you asked God to help you.

PRAYER GUIDE

Heavenly Father, thank you for offering us the gift of grace through Jesus Christ which can transform us from children of wrath to children of your heavenly kingdom. Show us the good works that you prepared beforehand to be our way of life and give us the strength and commitment to live in them.