Breaking Ground
What activity makes you feel the most free? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series on the New Testament Book of Galatians.
Read Galatians 4:8-5:1. Having laid out his arguments for the Gospel of Grace, Paul now addresses the Galatians directly by urging them to recall their previous experiences together. After this, Paul uses the characters of Hagar & Sarah as an allegory for the decision between returning to slavery under the bondage of religion based upon human effort instead of the freedom found in Christ’s Gospel based upon God’s grace.
Why do you think Paul begins by appealing to his previous experiences with the Galatians? What about their relationship does he highlight in making this appeal?
Why does Paul describe idolatry or religion based upon human effort as a form of slavery? How would the Galatians be returning to this slavery if they adopted a worldview that demands they obey Torah to follow Jesus?
Why does Paul use an allegory as part of his argument? What does this add to the point he’s making?
What does Paul mean by “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free”? What freedom is Paul talking about? How can we “stand firm” in this freedom, as opposed to returning to a “yoke of slavery”?
Where have you been “set free” by Jesus in your life? Where have you been freed from some form of bondage through Christ’s grace?
Where are you currently struggling to live into the freedom that Christ’s grace achieved for you? Where are you returning to old forms of slavery in how you view yourself, others, or God?
How can Paul’s words & Christ’s Gospel of Grace reorient you in what you’ve identified? How might that further embrace your freedom in Christ?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Galatians 4:8-5:1. Highlight & make of any language, images, or ideas that stand out to you from the passage.
- What does Paul mean by slavery in these texts? How are the Galatians returning to that slavery?
- What does Paul mean when he claims that Christ has set us free? Where have you experienced freedom in Christ?
- Where do you need Christ to set you free 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:*
March 1st: Join us as we continue working through the New Testament Book of Galatians!
* Please see mye3.org for details.