09/27/2020
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In this series we will study the book of Galatians to see that the one true Gospel--the Gospel of Jesus Christ--provides a balance between rules and law and freedom and grace.
Reflect
• Do you think there's anything you can do that will make God love you more or love you less, or would make you more saved or less saved?
• How do you understand the unconditional love of God?
• Do you deserve to be saved from sin and its punishment?
• What is the sole basis of your salvation?
Read and Discuss
Scripture
Galatians 3:1-18
Discussion Questions
The Galatian church has bought into the teachings that they needed to do something more in order to be worthy to be saved. But salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. The work of salvation was completed by Jesus Christ on the cross. This is a core truth of the Christian faith, and Paul uses a series of arguments to nail down this truth:
Experience and Logic (v. 2-5). What is justification and what is sanctification? Paul asked the Galatian Christians four questions to bring them back to the core truths of these doctrines. Discuss:
• How were you saved? Are you saved by faith or by works?
• If salvation is the work of the spirit, why do you have to maintain your salvation through works or obedience to a set of rules?
• Have you ever experienced hardships or faced challenges as a result of your faith in Jesus Christ? If you turn away now from that belief, wouldn't all that suffering be in vain?
• Did your blessings come by grace through faith, or did your good works produce blessings? Why can’t anyone give credit to anything else for their salvation? If one cannot "add" anything to salvation, what are the merits of the good works that you do?
Scriptural Examples (v. 6-9). What did Paul say was the basis for Abraham’s justification? In what area of Abraham's life did he manifest that he truly trusted God? Who are the spiritual children of Abraham? In what way are you included in God’s promise to Abraham (that he would have many descendants)?
Faith and Law are mutually exclusive (as it relates to salvation) (v. 10-12). Why can't obedience to the law save someone, as the Judaizers taught, but condemns that person instead? Is it possible to combine a mixture of faith and works, to be saved? Why or why not?
Hope (v. 13-14). No one can live out the law perfectly. It is a curse to us and it seems like there is no hope. But Jesus provides hope. What does it mean that Christ redeemed us (bought us back) from the clutches of sin? What is the wages of sin? What does substitutionary atonement mean? As a person whose sin had been paid by Jesus, would it mean that you have a license to continue to sin?
Consistency (v. 15-18). Paul said that the promise to Abraham of salvation was not fulfilled with the giving of the law, but fulfilled in Christ. What is the importance of the fact that salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is for ALL people who place their trust in God, and that that salvation is the same for all, and that it had not changed? On the other hand, why do good works and obedience to laws make salvation unsure and unstable, making it not salvation at all?
Respond
In Walk: God’s plan of salvation for everyone has always been by grace alone through faith inn Jesus Christ alone. Jesus paid the price of our sin so that we can be free. How can you share this great truth about Christ and His salvation to someone else who needs to hear it? In what way can you help a new Christian better understand his or her position in Christ?
In Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance of salvation that I have when I put my trust in Christ as my Savior. I do not have to always wonder if I am good enough to enter heaven because of the security I have in You. Thank You that You saved me by grace and through faith in Jesus alone. My identity is no longer as a sinner but one who is saved. It is such a blessing to be secured in Your hands especially in this time when there is so much uncertainty around me and in my future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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