Breaking Ground
Where do you feel the most hope for this coming year? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series on the New Testament Book of Galatians.
Read Galatians 5:1-12. Having made a comprehensive argument for relying on God’s grace, not human ego, for our renewal; Paul now directly instructs the Galatians to stand firm in Christ’s freedom & reject anyone calling them to embrace legalism as part of their spirituality.
What stands out to you from this section? Why?
Why would embracing circumcision (which symbolically represents relying upon Torah or the Hebrew Law for experiencing right relationship with God & others) undermine the grace & freedom the Galatians had found through Jesus?
What does Paul point to as being a better source of their trust? How is this both something they can hope for in the future & use to model their lives around in the present?
What do you think Paul means by “faith working or expressing itself through love”? Why does he claim that this is the only thing that matters to God when it comes to religion?
Close by reflecting on how this section of Galatians might speak to you in this season.
Where do your current attitudes, beliefs, worldviews, & actions mirror Christ’s example of faith working through love on the Cross? Where do you find it easiest to, in trust, think & act self-sacrificially for the good of others?
Alternatively, where do your current attitudes, beliefs, worldviews, & actions mirror human ego & our surrounding world? Where have you let these other visions of spirituality, meaning, purpose, salvation, hope, trust, or value “cut in” on your race towards the Cross & experiencing newness?
How can the example of the Cross help you reorient what you’ve identified? What would you need to surrender, give up, or sacrifice in order to re-embrace Christ’s model of faith working through love in this part of your life?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Galatians 5:1-12. Highlight & make of any language, images, or ideas that stand out to you from the passage.
- What were the Galatians originally moving towards in their discipleship? How did this bring them freedom?
- What’s gotten in the way of that goal now? Who has cut in on them? How has this derailed their growth & movement towards Jesus?
- What does Paul offer up as a solution? How does this challenge you in your discipleship today?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
March 15th: Join us as we continue working through the New Testament Book of Galatians!
* Please see mye3.org for details.