Make It a Theme Year

Include the hymn in your regular worship throughout the year. Pick a Sunday of the month, maybe the first Sunday, to give back to the Lord and your community through acts of grace and service. Discuss ways of extending and receiving grace in your small groups. Host a movie night showing a historical drama of John Newton.

Hold a Bible Study

Use the verses of the song as the basis for a Bible study on grace, God’s divine, freely-given favor. The text for the hymn is drawn from 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, in which King David responds to the prophet Nathan’s words that God intends to continue David’s royal line for eternity. Hold the study at church on Sundays or a weekday or at home in a small group. Encourage participants to share their personal stories related to “Amazing Grace.”

Host a Retreat

Host a weekend or midweek summer retreat on “Amazing Grace.” Invite participants to gather for an all-day or multiday event at a retreat center, convention hall or church camp for relaxation and refreshment in God’s amazing grace. Include other community-building activities (hikes, swimming, canoeing, sing-alongs, campfires, cookouts, ice breakers, board games, etc.) to connect and reconnect church members.

Personal Devotion

Consider offering resources for personal devotion on “Amazing Grace” for weeks over the summer months or any time of year. Suggest personal journaling and recording faith moments related to “Amazing Grace” or other instances in which parishioners have grown closer to God. This is a helpful way to instill a routine for regular spiritual reflection on God’s Word.