Breaking Ground
Who did you look up to the most as a kid? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series on the New Testament Book of Galatians. As a reminder, previously, Paul argued that, like Abraham, we can only find right relationship with God, receive the Holy Spirit, gain entrance into God’s divine family,, & experience transformation by trusting in Jesus; as opposed to relying upon human effort or, specifically, perfectly obeying Torah (God’s Laws given to Israel in the Hebrew Scripture)..
With this in mind, finish Paul’s larger argument by reading Galatians 3:15-29. Here, Paul addresses the obvious questions that his argument naturally produces: “If we only find these things through trusting Jesus, then why did God create the Torah & how should we think about it as Christians?” In his answer, Paul uses three metaphors from his ancient world to explain the good, but temporary, role that the Law played in God’s redemptive story. That is, as secondary addition to the will that promised God’s blessing to Abraham, it primarily acted as a jail keeper & protector.
What stands out to you from this text? How does it build upon Paul’s larger argument that we must rely upon trust, not rules, to experience right relationship with God & Christian transformation?
How can all three metaphors help us better understand the role of God’s Law in Scripture & Israel’s story? What major takeaways do you draw from them?
Why does Paul conclude that Torah can’t give us anything that we haven’t already received through trusting Jesus? How should this impact our engagement with & interpretation of the Hebrew Law today?
Close by reflecting on how this section might speak to you in this season.
Why is it tempting for Christians to add to God’s promise that trust is all we need to become His children & experience union with Christ? Where do you see this taking place within the Church today?
Where do you feel tempted to add to God’s promise that trust is all someone needs to become God’s child & experience union with Christ? Why do you think that is?
Where do you need to replace following rules with a trusting, intimate, relationship with our loving God in this season of your life? How would that bring you freedom & healing in a way that following rules by your own will power can’t?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Galatians 3:15-29. Highlight & make of any language, images, or ideas that stand out to you from the passage.
- According to Paul, what role did the Torah or God’s Law play in Israel’s story? What metaphors does Paul use to describe this role? How does that help us think about the Law as Christians today?
- Why does Paul ultimately claim that we find our identity through trusting Jesus, not following rules? How does this reorient our thinking when it comes to what it means to follow Jesus & experience transformation through him?
- How might Paul’s teaching help you find comfort & direction in this season?
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:*
February 22nd: Join us as we continue working through the New Testament Book of Galatians!* Please see mye3.org for details.