Material Adapted for QICM

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AS YOU PREPARE:
Watch the video at least twice before the BS. As part of your preparation, before the BS, read all bible
references that are mentioned in the video or additional references that you find are relevant to the
lesson. You can find the bible references contained in the video as footnotes in the video script. The
references are displayed on the right side, as seen below.

AT THE STUDY:
Watch the video together with the people at the bible study. Pause, slow the video down if needed and
watch more than once till the lesson is absorbed. Teach, emphasize or illustrate the points using
examples from the Bible or from life. Then use the discussion questions, have a sharing time and prayer
time at the end.

Episode 4
Character of God: Grace
Video Script & Bible References
INTRODUCTION 0:00-0:37

If you tried to describe what God is like, it could be difficult or daunting. But when
the people who wrote the Bible pondered the mystery of God, they consistently
described God’s character in this way: compassionate and gracious, slow to an-
ger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness.1

We’re going to look at the second key word in this statement, “gracious.” The He-
brew word is khanun, which is related to the Hebrew noun khen. This word, khen,
is often translated as “grace” or “favor.” And if you study how this word is used
throughout the Bible, you’ll find a fascinating story.

A GIFT GIVEN IN DELIGHT 0:38-1:31

One meaning of khen is “delightful” or “favorable.” In the Psalms, a skilled poet is

said to have “lips of khen,” 2 that is, he can craft beautiful words that bring delight.
Or a dazzling piece of jewelry is an “ornament of khen.” 3 It attracts attention and
favor.

This is why khen is often the word used to describe a gift given with delight or
favor. In these cases, khen could be translated as “grace.”

Teach: Read Proverbs 1:8-9, 22:11, and 31:30 in a few translations. Ask the group
what they notice about how the Bible translates the word “khen”? Discuss the
different ways khen is used in these examples.

1. Exodus 34:6 3. Proverbs 1:9

2. Psalms 45:2
1
Like in the story of Esther, who approaches the king of Persia to ask that she and
her people be spared from death. She calls this a “request for khen,” 4 and be-
cause the king delights in Esther, he favors her and grants her wish.

So giving a gift of favor is khen because it’s motivated by delight. And the most
extreme kind of khen is showing favor to someone who should get what they
deserve not a generous gift.

Teach & Discuss : The grace we have received is a gift of favour motivated by God's delight.
Ask the group how this teaching has expanded their thinking about God's Grace.

U N D E S E R V E D FAV O R 1:32-2:28

Like Jacob, who cheated his brother Esau, ran away, and then after twenty years
wants to come back and make things right. So he comes to Esau asking, “may I
find khen in your eyes?” 5 Jacob isn’t asking for what is fair but for favor. And sur-
prisingly, that’s what Esau gives him. He chooses to delight in his brother Jacob
and show him grace that he doesn’t deserve.

Now, khen requires a generous spirit, which people sometimes have. But in the
Bible, the one who shows more khen than anyone else is God.

Like when God rescued the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and they quickly be-
tray him by giving their allegiance to a golden idol as their god. But then Moses
steps in and asks God to consider giving a gift that they don’t deserve. And God
says yes by showing the ultimate act of khen—forgiveness and a promise to be
with these people. 6

Teach & Discuss : Khen can also be used to communicate an act of generous favor. In
these cases, the recipients of khen are usually undeserving or perceived as such, so
translators use words like “mercy” or “plead” for khen or khanun. With this in mind,
read Genesis 42:21, Esther 4:8 and Ruth 2:10 before discussing how khen works in these
examples.

4. Esther 8:3 6. Exodus 33:16

5. Genesis 33:8
2
A G R AC I O U S G O D 2:29-4:08

This character trait of God is so reliable that over 40 times in the book of Psalms
people cry out for God’s khen—when they’re sick, or in danger, or when the Isra-
elites are in exile. And the biblical prophets, like Isaiah, looked back to God’s khen
in the past and boldly declared that God will one day show khen to his people by
delivering them, and all creation, from death and ruin.7

Teach & Discuss: Grace is freely and joyfully given to us by God even though
we do not deserve it. How can we guard against treating grace cheaply and
without a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation?

Now when we turn to the authors of the New Testament, they describe
God’s khen with the Greek word kharis, which means “gracious gift.” Like
when we’re introduced to Jesus in the Gospel of John, we’re told that Jesus
is God’s glori-ous kharis become human,8 sent into a world of people trapped
in darkness and death.

Teach: Using examples from the life of Jesus, point out to the group what the
Lord's Gracious Behaviour looked like in action.

Because, according to the apostle Paul, we’re like the living dead. God has
handed humanity over to the destructive consequences of our selfish
decisions. But, Paul says, God is rich in mercy, and by his kharis he’s rescued
us.9 He’s talking about how Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are offered to us
as a generous gift of life that is more powerful than death. And as with any gift,
all one has to do is receive it.

So now you can see why the biblical authors talk so much about this
description of God’s character throughout the Bible. When people are willing
to own their failures and ask God for khen, he has a consistent and generous
response. God gives the gift of himself, his life, and his love. And this is what it
means that God is gracious.

Teach & Discuss: When extraordinary gifts of grace are given, they cannot be
experienced unless they are received. Read Ephesians 2:8-9 as well as 1 Peter
5:4-7. According to these passages, with what attitude do people receive God’s
gift of kharis?

7. Isaiah 30:18-19 9. Ephesians 2:8

8. John 1:14
3