Connect What is one way this week that you could deploy your freedom more to be in line of God’s purposes?

Warm-Up

1. Can you think of a time in which you particularly grew as a follower of Jesus? 
2. What was happening at the time? Was there anything that was helping you to walk closer with God?

Read Galatians 5:16-18

3. What does it mean to ‘walk’ with the Spirit? Can you think of different examples throughout the Bible of people walking to God? What does it show us about the type of relationship with God that we can enjoy?
4. What does Paul tell us not to gratify? What does ‘flesh’ mean? How does this relate to our nature?
5. Throughout the passage, how many times does Paul contrast flesh with Spirit? What is the point?
6. How does the Christian life involve a tug-o-war between two natures? Which desires should we feed?
7. What does the freedom we have in Christ call us to say ‘no’ to? Does this help us to earn salvation?
8. How does walking with God involve: relying on God’s power (not our own), looking to God’s purposes (not what we shape), turning back to God (when we get off track); and reflecting the Lord’s character?
9. Do you have a morning pattern of prayer? What could be helpful as you start the day?

Read Galatians 5:19-21

10. Do you find anything surprising about this list? Do you find anything confronting?
11. Are all people guilty of these things? What would Jesus say about some of them?
12. What does Paul say about those who live like this? Does this mean salvation is dependent on works?
13. What might a life that is persistently and habitually shaped by these acts suggest about a person’s authenticity of turning to Christ? Why do we need to be careful about not being the judge of others?
14. When we do fall short, how should we respond? Whose help can we rely on?
15. If someone thought they were getting off track in their walk with God, what should they do?

Read Galatians 5:22-26

16. How many fruit are there? What is the significance of Paul referring to fruit (not ‘fruits’) of the Spirit?
17. How does this list compare to that set out in verses 19 to 21?
18. Has there been a particular instance that helped you see that God has been growing his fruit in you?
19. If the Spirit ripens the fruit, what role do we have in cultivating the conditions?
20. How could you cultivate the conditions for the fruit of the Spirit as part of your daily rhythms?

Apply What is one way that would help you to walk more closely—keeping in step—with the Spirit?

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On Your Frontline this Week

Is there an area of your life where you find it hard for Jesus to have first place? Pray for his perspective.

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen & Access (resources): Sermons, Series, and Kids Resources on the Holy Spirit by St Bart’s:
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/grow/sermons?search=Spirit
• Listen (sermon): “The Spirit and Sanctification” by John Stott:
  https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=51217&show_file=54423 
• Read (article): ”The Friendship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien” by Colin Duriez:
  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-friendship-of-c-s-lewis-and-j-r-r-tolkien 
• Read (book): “Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit” by Christopher Wright 📚
  https://www.librarycat.org/lib/stbart/item/266742034 
• Listen (sermon): “Led by the Spirit” by Vaugn Roberts:
  https://stebbes.org/sermons/led-by-the-spirit/ 
• Read (article): John’s Stott Morning Trinitarian Prayer” by Trevin Wax:
  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/john-stotts-morning-trinitarian-prayer/ 

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/ 
  
  

📚 Available to borrow in the Church library

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