This week wraps up Your Story/God’s Story, focusing on redemption and restoration through Jesus. Rom. 3:21-26 shows us the tension at the heart of the gospel: God is perfectly just and can’t ignore sin, yet He’s perfectly loving and desires to save sinners. The cross is where justice and mercy meet - Jesus pays our debt so we can be declared righteous. Students need to see that the gospel means we are more sinful than we thought and more loved than we imagined.

Here are some discussion questions to further guide your conversation:

• What things make you feel like you don’t measure up? (school, sports, social media, family expectations, faith, etc.). What makes you feel that way?

• Read Romans 3:21-23. What does this passage teach us about our need for salvation?

• Read Romans 3:23-26. Why does sin have to be paid for (Romans 6:23)? Why can't God just overlook sin? Why couldn’t God “forgive & forget” without the cross?

• Before today, what did you think “Jesus is my Savior” meant? Has your understanding of this changed today? If so, how?

• The Bible reminds us God accepts us because of Jesus’s sacrifice. What’s different between trying to earn God’s favor and obeying Him because He already accepts us?

• What is something Jesus has saved you from? What is something you think Jesus has saved you for? What would it look like this week to live like you’re accepted by God?

• Close in prayer, asking your Group to pray for you to live in this acceptance this week.