Galatians 5:1-15 (John 8:31-34)
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This is the seventh week in our series GALATIANS: FREEDOM IN CHRIST. This sermon is called "The Gospel Brings us Freedom"
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
Connect How can you intentionally walk in the freedom and intimacy Christ has given you this week?
Warm-Up
- What do you think Western culture understands ‘freedom’ to be? How does this compare to the Christian understanding of true freedom?
- How has knowing Jesus given you unparalleled freedom?
Read Galatians 5:1
- What does Paul claim that Jesus has done for us? How confident can we be of this? Why?
- For what ultimate cause has Christ set us free? What does Paul mean by being ‘for freedom’?
- Do you think most people would consider Christianity to be a way of freedom? Why or why not?
- If—those who trust in Jesus—are free, how does this necessitate that we were once slaves?
- What were we formerly slaves to? Where has Paul spelt this out in Galatians? Did Jesus discuss this?
- What is the ultimate enemy that we face? In what way are we culpable and incapable in the face of sin?
- If—according to Jesus (cf. John 8)—everyone who sins is a slave to sin, who is exempt?
- How does trusting in Jesus give us absolute confidence in approaching and knowing God?
- Are you ever tempted to underestimate the problem of sin? Are you ever prone to looking to a rescuer (perhaps even yourself) other—or in addition—to Jesus? What helps you to keep looking to Jesus alone?
Read Galatians 5:2-12
- What were some preaching that the Galatians do in order to have confidence that they are rescued?
- What are different types of Gospel ‘plus’ that are proclaimed today? Are you ever prone to these?
- Why does Paul warn that any form of Gospel + is perilous? How does it undermine the grace of Jesus?
- Why (e.g., in Acts) may have Paul advocated for Timothy to be circumcised? What’s the difference?
- How does Paul plead with the Galatians to respond? What do you think it looks like to ‘stand firm’?
Read Galatians 5:13-15
- If we are to be cautious about abusing our freedom, how should we also seek to use our freedom?
- What is our freedom not for? What is our freedom absolutely for? What if we fail and make mistakes?
- What are examples in the New Testament of people who used their newfound freedom in Christ to reorientate the purpose of their lives? Have you witnessed examples of people like this?
- How does the Spirit help you live in response to grace? How would you like to grow in love with God’s help?
Apply What is one way this week that you could deploy your freedom more to be in line of God’s purposes?
Prayer
Saving God, thank you that it is in Christ that we’ve been set free from the ultimate enemy. Help us to use this freedom for your purposes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline this Week
How can you bring peace to your frontline this week?
For Families
- Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org
Listen, Watch, and Read
- Listen (sermon): “True Gospel” by Andrew Sach:
https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/53492/ - Listen (sermon): “No Other Gospel” by Vaughn Roberts:
https://stebbes.org/sermons/no-other-gospel/ - Listen (sermon): “The Rescue” by Tim Keller:
https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/the-rescue/ - Listen (sermon): “The Rescue” by Tim Keller:
https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/no-other-gospel/ - Read (article): “The Story of WWI Salvo Chaplain Fighting Mac”
https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/news-and-stories/stories/the-story-of-wwi-salvo-chaplain-fighting-mac/ - Listen (Series): Previous Sermon Series on Galatians:
https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/galatians-no-other-gospel
Series Resources
- Read (book): “The Freedom Trap” by Priyan Max Jeganathan. 📚
- Read (book): “Why the Gospel” by Matthew Bates.
- Read (commentary): “Galatians (The Story of God)” by Nijay Gupta.
- Read (commentary): “Galatians for Everyone” by Tom Wright.
- Watch (video): “Galatians” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-galatians/
