Moving Forward Not Backwards
Believing in Jesus for your salvation means you’re adopted by God and headed to heaven. But becoming a Christian won’t help you change and grow unless you’re cooperating with God’s Spirit in your life. You’re either moving forward or sliding backwards. Spiritual growth is not automatic. And any plan that includes your trying to obey the law as a means of sanctification will actually restrict your growth and place you in bondage.
Discussion Questions
What causes Christians to drift away from Jesus? Read Galatians 4:8-11. What are the similarities between the Galatians’ previous idolatry (v. 8) and their desire to keep the Old Testament law (vs. 9-10)?
Paul was afraid his investment in the Galatian believers might be a waste of time (4:11)? Why did he think this? Have you ever felt discouraged about your investment in someone else? What were the circumstances?
How were the Galatian believers gracious to Paul when he was with them (4:12-15)? Why would they have felt joy or experienced being blessed by this interaction with Paul (v. 15)?
Paul possesses an intensity about the issue of God’s grace. Read Galatians 4:16-20. Describe Paul’s intense dialogue with these believers. What “doubts” was Paul having about them? What was his driving passion for them (v. 19)? (compare 4:19 to Colossians 1:28)
Paul uses an allegory to illustrate that life under the law is bondage and life in the Spirit is freedom. Read this lengthy section (4:21-31) and describe the meaning.
Describe your spiritual progress over the last 6 months. Have you been moving forward or backwards? How do you know? What is your plan for moving forward?
The Final Word
The book of Galatians is a powerful treatise on the sufficiency of God’s grace to save us apart from the externals of law-keeping. Attempting to keep the law as the way to salvation or even as the means for growing in Christ ends in failure and bondage. Freedom is...
Relationships, Sowing, and Reaping
God's Spirit gives new life to His people so that we can live like we have new life. This new life only properly functions in community with other people. When we walk in selfless community by God's Spirit, we experience the benefits of new life in Him. Discussion...
The Key to Freedom
To this point in Galatians, Paul has done much in the way of explaining the freedom available in the gospel and the condemnation present in the Law. But how do we get that freedom, especially those of us who don’t feel so “free?" What is it that we need to do in order...
For Freedom
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. These are some of the most powerful and important words of the New Testament. The Grace of God through Jesus Christ sets us free to live in fellowship with God and with others. If only it were that simple. The book of...
From Slaves to Heirs
Through faith alone in Christ alone we’re transformed from slaves to heirs—heirs of God! God places the believer into the body of Christ. And in that moment, we put on Christ. That’s a profound, new reality. The only alternative to a life without Christ is bondage to...
The Law and The Gospel
God has a covenant relationship with His people, and He always keeps His promises, no matter what our shortcomings may be. In fact, even our best efforts don't get us into right relationship with God. We only have right relationship with Him because of Jesus. The Law...
Bewitched and Foolish
Sometimes clarifying the gospel requires stern language. Confusion about the nature of salvation and walking with God is a serious matter. That’s why Paul addresses the Galatian Christians as “bewitched” and “foolish.” It’s like a spell was cast over them. Their...