Echo Church
Discussion Guide

A Different Way to Pay

Austin Feuerstein
|
April 13, 2025

Main Idea

We were shown that growth in Christ is impossible without first understanding the immense value Christ has placed on us. Recognizing that Jesus paid everything for us anchors us in our identity and empowers us to meet the high calling of Christian character and behavior. Pastor Austin challenged us to live differently, not just by refraining from evil, but by actively blessing others, pursuing peace, and taking responsibility for how we speak and act. Our calling isn’t just something to be found — it’s clear: to be like Christ in a world that often repays evil with more evil. We are to embody love, sympathy, humility, and compassion in action, knowing that God is watching, listening, and ready to bless those who live righteously.

Scripture References

1 Peter 3:8-12, Hebrews 4:15, Romans 5:8, Romans 5:10, Luke 7:47, Proverbs 18:21, James 3:5, Matthew 12:36-37

Why is understanding your value in Christ foundational for spiritual growth?

You’ll never reach your full potential in Christ if you don’t first understand how deeply valued you are by Him.

Which of the five traits (like-mindedness, sympathy, love, compassion, humility) do you find hardest to practice, and why?

Discussion Questions:

What does it practically look like to repay evil with blessing in your daily life?

How do you personally guard your speech and avoid deceitful talk as mentioned in the sermon?

In what ways can you more actively pursue peace in your relationships or community?

You were paid a blessing for your evil — now it’s your calling to repay evil with blessing.

Summary

In 'A Different Way to Pay,' Pastor Austin Feuerstein reminded us that our value is determined not by what we do or fail to do, but by what Jesus paid for us — everything. He emphasized that recognizing this value is foundational to our growth in Christ. Pastor Austin walked us through 1 Peter 3:8-12, outlining God's expectations for believers to be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble. These attributes, rooted in Christ, shape how we interact with others, especially in the face of evil. Instead of repaying wrong with wrong, we’re called to repay evil with blessing, just as Jesus did for us. Pastor Austin urged us to pursue peace actively and take responsibility for our speech, our actions, and our pursuit of righteousness. The message closed with a sobering reminder that God's face is against evil, but His ears are attentive to the righteous.

Call to Action

Some next steps to take this week:

Recognize the value Jesus placed on your life and start living like someone who is truly priceless.

Actively seek opportunities to repay hurt with blessing and show the love of Christ in action.

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