What We Really Mean When We Talk About Grace: What Gets in the Way? Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast (S3E47)
Aug 16, 2026
Summary
Grace isn’t just a name or a before-dinner prayer. So, what is grace? What does the Bible say about grace? And why can it be so difficult to offer grace to others? In this episode of Perspectives, Rev. Trudy and Rev. Hannah explore grace through the story of Jonah, the reluctant prophet who resisted God’s call to extend grace to the people of Nineveh.
Detail
Grace isn’t just a name or a before-dinner prayer. So, what is grace? What does the Bible say about grace? And why can it be so difficult to offer grace to others?
In this episode of Perspectives, Rev. Trudy and Rev. Hannah explore grace through the story of Jonah, the reluctant prophet who resisted God’s call to extend grace to the people of Nineveh.
Whether you're exploring progressive Christianity, wrestling with questions about Scripture and faith, or studying the Book of Jonah, this conversation invites you to consider what grace means to you today.
Beginning with Jonah 1:1-3, this episode helps you discover:
- What is grace, and what does it look like in everyday life?
- Why does Jonah resist offering grace to Nineveh?
- What does the historical context of Jonah tell us about grace?
- Can God's grace reach people we would rather exclude?
- Why do we sometimes want to decide who deserves God's grace?
- What gets in the way of accepting and offering grace?
Reflection Questions
- How have you experienced God’s persistent grace?
- Who do you have a difficult time offering grace to?
- Have you seen God offer grace to someone you couldn’t?
Continue the Conversation
This is the first episode in a 5-week conversation series exploring “what we really mean when we talk about…” theological concepts. Join us next week as we tackle the concept of forgiveness. In the meantime, we invite you to continue this conversation. Whether you're deconstructing your faith, exploring progressive Christianity, pursuing justice, or simply asking honest questions about Scripture, we hope you’ll join us:
- Convergence discussion group (Sundays at 12 PM): https://www.fumcsd.org/events
- Join our Patreon community
Timestamps
00:00 What We Really Mean When We Talk About Grace
01:54 Jonah, Nineveh & the Problem of Grace
03:39 The Historical Context of Jonah
05:23 Is the Story of Jonah Actually a Joke?
09:19 God's Grace Has a Universal Reach
13:04 Why We Struggle to Offer Grace to Our Enemies
15:31 Can We Accept a God Whose Grace Reaches Those We Exclude?
17:27 God Is the Subject of Grace
18:32 What Is Grace? An Ocean Metaphor
23:41 Questions for Reflection: Experiencing & Offering Grace
