Date: September 28, 2025
The Greatest Gift
The Point: We can receive no greater gift than a relationship with God.
Get Into the Study
After reading Question #1, read the following:
A gift to last a lifetime… That’s exactly what Kevin Bacon did for his wife for her 60th birthday this past August. Wanting to surprise Kyra with something unique and special, he decided to get her something she could never guess but would absolutely love—two baby Highland cows. Fuzzy, sweet, and adorable miniature bovine that they named Tater and Tot.
He was so excited about it that he even recorded the whole gift-giving event on TikTok. In the reel, you can see her curiosity as he leads his wife to the barn on their farm. When she sees the baby cows for the first time, her joy is tangible! What a creative gift, especially after 37 years of marriage!
While this might be a great example of a perfect gift that Kyra will remember for the rest of her life, there is no greater gift than a relationship with God.
To see Kyra’s reaction, click the link below:
Kevin Bacon’s unusual gift to Kyra Sedgwick for her 60th
Get Into the Study (Option for Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a video clip showing someone excited to receive a gift. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
(Option for the Daily Discipleship Guide Leader Guide)
Play “The Power of Forgiveness” clip from the movie Pay It Forward for the group. Talk about what it took for Helen Hunt’s character to forgive her estranged mother. While this clip only gives us limited perspective, it’s likely that the daughter’s forgiveness of her mom allowed her to let go of bitterness, heal, and move past her hurts. It likely also led to feelings of compassion, understanding, and empathy for her mom. Guide the group to draw parallels between this act of forgiveness and the gift of reconciliation we’ve been given in Christ.
Live It Out
Under WRAP IT UP – Read the following before TRANSITION:
Kevin Bacon has been married to his wife, Kyra Sedwick, since 1988—for over 37 years! They are considered the gold standard for Hollywood marriages. They share two children, and live a simple life out of the spotlight on a hobby farm in Connecticut. While they keep fans updated on their farm life and low-key lifestyle, they continue to defy the odds and make their marriage work.
After being with someone for 37 years, they know each other very well. They learn how to talk and argue, what will work and what won’t, finish each other’s sentences, and how to work together. Life on a farm requires teamwork and trust. So, it is really no surprise that Kevin knew exactly what Kyra would like and want – two adorable baby Highland cows. Having a relationship where you feel safe, secure and cared for is an amazing thing.
As Christ-followers, we can also have that type of relationship with God. He is all-knowing, all-powerful and loves us more than anything! If you’re ready for a relationship with Jesus, or to deepen your relationship with Him, let’s pray together. For we can receive no greater gift than a relationship with God.
Kevin Bacon’s unusual gift to Kyra Sedgwick for her 60th
The week’s writer for Extra is Erika Morrison. Erika is the daughter of missionary parents. She lives in Southwest Michigan, where she serves as the executive director of a human services non-profit, and speaks regularly on poverty culture, and having a relationship with Jesus.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What is the best gift you’ve ever given someone?
- How would you compare the best gift you’ve received from another person and the best you’ve given?
- When have you received a gift almost too good to be true?
Romans 5:6-8 We receive the gift of God’s love, which is demonstrated by the death of Christ.
- What kinds of people were on God’s gift list?
- What comes to mind when you think about God’s love for you?
- What is the significance of God showing his love to us while we were still sinners?
Romans 5:9-11 We have the gift of reconciliation in Christ.
- What are the effects of receiving God’s greatest gift?
- Why did God’s wrath need to be satisfied?
- What’s the connection between reconciliation and salvation?
Romans 5:18-21 We have the gift of eternal life through Christ.
- How would you compare the “gift” of Adam with the gift of Christ?
- How does an awareness of sin result in a greater awareness of the need for grace?
- How would you describe the purpose of the law?
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Would it be possible for you to post the resources like the “Key Words in Romans 5” online? The print in the Leader’s Guide is too small to read. I know those resources can be purchased, but that is an added expense & not all are useful.
You suggestion on the podcast of making copies to distribute to the class is useful. I would be glad to do that if I could read the poster.
I do appreciate the podcasts. I get good information from them.
Hi Martina, thank you for listening to the podcast and for your kind words—we’re grateful for your encouragement and for the way you serve your class so faithfully. I’m sorry to hear the print size in the Leader’s Guide made the “Key Words in Romans 5” difficult to read. At this time, we’re not able to include that particular section in the EXTRA teaching options. As you’ve no doubt noticed, we provide a wide range of additional helps each week. Know that your feedback is helpful as we consider what to include in future EXTRA resources. We’re thankful for your partnership and pray the resources continue to be a blessing to you and your group. —Ryan Sanders
Hi Martina, thank you for listening to the podcast and for your kind words—we’re grateful for your encouragement and for the way you serve your class so faithfully. I’m sorry to hear the print size in the Leader’s Guide made the “Key Words in Romans 5” difficult to read. At this time, we’re not able to include that particular section in the EXTRA teaching options. As you’ve no doubt noticed, we provide a wide range of additional helps each week. Know that your feedback is helpful as we consider what to include in future EXTRA resources. We’re thankful for your partnership and pray the resources continue to be a blessing to you and your group. —Ryan
I can not find the sermon outlines for the Greatest Truths. When I click on the sermon outline. The last sermon outline is Character counts. thank you Linda W james
Hi Linda, thank you for your comment. Both the theme-based and text-based sermons can be found here: https://biblestudiesforlife.lifeway.com/leader-extras-sermon-outlines/ — I just checked to be sure all were working properly and was able to downloaded all of the sessions. Please visit the link, look for the session and sermon type you wish to use, and all should be working fine. Thank you.
Hello,
Each week I put together a Powerpoint presentation based on the lesson we’re studying. It’s a time-consuming process, but something that is very helpful for the Young Adults class that I lead. I’m wondering if there’s something already out there that I could use each week, or at least a template that leaders can use to put presentations together? If not, I will gladly share my presentations with other leaders if it would be helpful. I’ve attached a link to a sample of my PPT below. Thank you!
Hi Dwayne, thanks for your comment and for leading a group. I’m not see a link or attachment as you mention, but I would be interested in learning more about how you use the presentation and what you find works best/helps most for a presentation. Would you mind emailing me at [email protected] with that information as I consider if something like you mention could be helpful to more groups? Thank you and look forward to hearing more from you.
Thanks for these supplemental questions. I teach senior adults and engaging them is very difficult if I lecture. I just ask questions, lots of questions. Questions that tie the scripture to their life as they apply the scripture to their actions. There are good questions but I need more. Questions that jog people’s memory or help them apply what they are learning to an event or a time in their life. The more I can engage the more they will understand and apply the scripture to their daily lives. Thanks for this additional help.
Good morning. As a Sunday School teacher, I use all of the resources that my church provides from Lifeway. Each week I send an email to those in my class (both present and past), friends, and family related to our lesson for the week. I am very appreciative of the material and with only one exception, find the articles, questions, podcast, etc. most helpful. For last week’s session, “The Greatest Gift,” I was dismayed that both articles in Adult Extras had as their subjects a notable couple whom one is a professing atheist and the other doesn’t really know who GOD is in her life. Perhaps their beliefs have changed, but I couldn’t find that. Seems to me that there must be a Christian couple, who’ve been happily married for multiple years, who know how to give gifts the other will really wants. Thank you for letting me share.
Hi Sandy, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts—and for your faithful ministry as a Sunday School teacher. We’re so glad to hear you use the Lifeway resources your church provides and that you find the lessons, articles, questions, and podcasts helpful as you prepare and encourage others each week. We appreciate your note about the recent EXTRA content for “The Greatest Gift.” Your feedback is valuable, and we’ll take it into account as we plan future pieces. The intent behind EXTRA is to help generate discussion around current events, pop culture, and everyday illustrations—those things people see and hear in the headlines week to week. Our goal is to show how the Bible speaks into everyday life and helps believers think biblically about the world around them. That said, we understand and respect your perspective about the examples used, and we’ll be mindful of that balance moving forward. Thank you again for reaching out and for your commitment to helping your group engage God’s Word with insight and relevance.