Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 1
Part 1
This week we are starting a six-part series from the book of Galatians called “Jesus Plus Nothing.” Throughout this early writing of Paul, he continually reminds the church in Galatia that Jesus is the sum total of the gospel message, and that they need not add anything extra to be saved and accepted by God. Jesus has done it all for us. Scripture clearly says that Jesus died for our sins, and if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that He was raised from the dead, we will be saved. It has all been done for us (Romans 10:9-10) – we simply need to trust and believe.
Read Galatians 1:1-24
Discuss
- If you were asked to share the Gospel message in 30 seconds, what would you say? What would you not say?
- “Faith is an attitude of trust that allows a third party to act upon your behalf.” How does this definition apply to the Christian belief? How do you understand faith?
- Who or what are you placing your faith in? How is this evident?
- Read Galatians 1:3-4. What does it mean to you that Jesus rescued us from our sins? Why do we still sin?
- “Salvation (accepting Jesus and being saved) happens in a moment, sanctification (changing our old ways to become more like Jesus) takes a lifetime.” Why is this the case? Why do we struggle to give up our old ways of life?
- Every person has areas of weakness that we can be tempted to fall back into. What can we do to protect ourselves from these temptations? What works for you? What does not work?
- Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What does it mean to examine yourself? Do you pass this test? What do you need to do now?
Respond
When we hear the good news that Jesus died for our sins and that we can put our faith in Him, we have a choice to make. We can accept this or reject it. If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, what is stopping you from doing so right now? (Read John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10.) If you have already accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, what is the Holy Spirit working on in your life today to make you more like Jesus?
Part 2
Part 2
In Galatians 2:9 we see Paul’s ministry acknowledged and accepted by the pillars of the church, James, Peter and John. While James, Peter and John continued their work among the Jews, they encouraged Paul’s work among those not of Jewish background (Gentiles). When Peter began urging Gentiles to practice the Jewish law, Paul stepped in and confronted him. Paul reminds us that our faith and identity is found in Jesus the Son of God alone, not in cultural or religious traditions. Finding our identity in Jesus will enrich the way we experience life, faith, risk, well-being, intimacy, purpose and obedience.
Read Galatians 2:11-21
Discuss
- Take time to quietly read the passage again. Have one or two people retell the passage without looking at the Bible. What was Peter’s hypocrisy?
- Read verse 19. Why does condemnation come by trying to keep the law? What is the problem with the law and what makes it different from the gospel?
- Read verse 20. Pastor Tim teaches us that what Jesus did on the cross shapes and defines who we are. When we consistently identify ourselves with Jesus, it changes the way we experience life, faith and God. Why do we often (albeit subconsciously) fall into the trap of thinking we need to strive for bigger things to identify ourselves with? Share your experience.
- “Watch where your strongest thoughts go to.” What are some external factors/measurements that we often identify ourselves with? How can we create boundaries for our mind?
- In order to remain firm in our identity in Jesus, we need to take what Jesus says about us seriously. Together with your group, find as many Bible verses as you can about who we are. Share your initial thoughts after every verse.
- Being genuine and telling our own story to those we trust is key to keeping our identity in Christ. Why? Where can we find these trustworthy people?
Respond
Keeping our identity in Jesus is more easily said than done. With the flood of information confronting us, we need to be intentional in keeping Jesus at the centre of our identity. What is one practical step you want to take to create a new barrier against the deluge?
Part 3
Part 3
Have you ever felt a sense of being excluded? Do you recall being on the outer of a larger group for reasons beyond your control? Noone wants to be in this situation. We like to fit in and be included with the crowd. Yet how often, as an accepted part of a group, do we look out for and seek to include those on the outside? This is a challenge for us all – to love one another with all our differences and to show the love of Jesus to all people. We are one in Christ and we need to live in a way that shows this reality.
Read Galatians 3:26-28
Discuss
- Have you ever felt excluded or singled out in a larger group and made to feel like you didn’t belong? How did this moment feel for you? What could have been done differently to change the situation?
- Who are the marginalised groups in our society today? Why might this be the case for these groups of people? How could this be changed?
- Read Galatians 3:26-28. What does it mean to be “one in Jesus”? How does this verse allow for diversity?
- What might we do that could cause division with others? What can we do to be inclusive of those who are different to us?
- Why might we put class labels on other people? What might we seek to achieve in doing this? What does it actually achieve?
- What scripture verses can you find that emphasise the need to seek out and love the marginalised? Why are we called to treat everyone with love and respect?
Respond
Jesus often went out of His way to stand up for marginalised people. He would intentionally seek out those who were shunned by the wider society. We saw this when He met the woman at the well, Zaccheus the tax collector, and with the ten lepers, to just name a few. With every person Jesus met, He made them feel loved, seen and that their lives truly mattered. Who is an outsider in your world to whom you could show God’s love today? What can you do to show God’s love to this person this week?
Part 4
Part 3
In the Old Testament, twelve spies were sent out to explore the land, but ten of them brought back a fearful report of the people they encountered. Only Caleb and Joshua reported that God’s promised land was exceedingly good. The Israelites were fearful of defeat and wanted to choose a new leader to take them back to their old lives in Egypt. In our time, our present journey may be filled with challenges. God is calling us not to give up and not to go back to our old ways, but to press forward as His precious sons and daughters, and to enjoy the freedom that He has given us through trusting in Jesus as our Saviour.
Read Numbers 14:1-4, Galatians 4:8-12
Discuss
- Can you recall a holiday or trip you have been on with others that didn’t go to plan? Share.
- Read Numbers 14:1-4. Discuss some of the emotions the Israelites experienced as God had led them out of Egypt through Moses. Why do you think they wanted a different leader and to go back to Egypt?
- In our journey with God, Pastor Sam mentioned that we may be tempted to go back to our old ways when the going gets too hard. Have you had these feelings? What did you do? Discuss with the group some things that we may go back to when we feel that the challenges are too hard.
- Read Galatians 4:8-12. Paul encouraged the Galatians not to shrink back to their old ways of religion since they have developed a relationship with God as Abba Father. How do you think this could be similar to our relationship with our earthly father? What are some of the ways God has shown affection to us?
- “We are human beings created to be in relationship with God, not human doings tasked with earning God’s approval.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? How do you think we could move away from earning God’s approval and towards enjoying a father-child relationship with God?
- Pastor Sam mentioned that God wants us to move forward to the future with Him through spending time with Him and knowing Him personally. Share with the group some uplifting moments where you have encountered God’s love. What is one thing you could do to deepen your relationship with God this week?
Respond
This week, pray for the Holy Spirit to enable us to see God’s love, not to go back to our old ways but to deepen our relationship with Him. Think of someone you know who might be facing challenging times and share with this person God’s unconditional love and approval. Commit to praying for this person.
Part 5
Part 5
The life of believers has always involved finding freedom. God brought the Israelites out from Egypt to free them from slavery. Jesus came to save us from sin. There is not one person in the world more committed to our freedom than Jesus. In Galatians 5, Paul talks about the freedom that can only be found in Jesus and teaches how we, as Christians, are to use that freedom, serving one another through love. Living by the Spirit enables us to experience His freedom in full.
Read Galatians 5:13-26
Discuss
- What is your definition of freedom and how does it look for you to live in freedom?
- Read verse 13. According to this verse, what is the relationship between freedom, and serving and humility?
- Read verses 16-18. If we are not under the law, does that mean Christians are lawless? Without the law how do we restrain the flesh? Share your most recent experience of being at the crossroad of following the Spirit or the flesh.
- Pastor Heather teaches that the secret to living in a freedom is neither through legalism (law) nor through licentiousness (sin), but through walking by the Spirit. Why is it that we cannot find freedom under law or sin?
- Pastor Heather shares a quote from Dr. Charles Stanley: “To walk by the Spirit is to live moment by moment in dependency upon Him, sensitive to his voice, and in obedience to him.” How do we live by the Spirit? Why could it be challenging for us to be dependent upon, sensitive to, and obedient to Him?
- Read John 16:13-15. What are some of the consequences of not living by the Spirit? How have you been doing in following and obeying the Spirit?
Respond
We are saved not by the law, but by His grace. His Spirit that is now in us will guide the way we live in freedom. As Christians, we have to make room for the Spirit to move in and through us. There is no substitute for the Holy Spirit – no PhD, education, experience, qualification, etc. Only by the Spirit. How can you make room for the Spirit this week? What is one routine/aspect of your daily life that you can set aside first so that you can prioritise the Spirit?
Part 6
Part 6
In Galatians 5, Paul writes about what it means to live by the power of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out, a new way of living with the guidance of the Holy Spirit came to be. It was not about the tongues of fire, but the fact that the Holy Spirit was poured out on everyone – and is available to us too. Believers need to practice making room for the Holy Spirit to lead, and to learn to respond to His leading. Living by the Spirit does not happen in an instant. It happens one step at a time, and over time it will become our way of life.
Read Galatians 6:1-10
Discuss
- What is your experience of the Holy Spirit? What is your understanding of being filled or led by the Holy Spirit?
- Pastor Tim mentioned that the Spirit’s role is to lead us; our role is simply to respond. Obedience is the accumulative effect of lots of little steps in the same direction. What often stops you from making just one little step at a time?
- Read Galatians 6:1 (NIV). Who are those who “live by the Spirit” in this context? What has been your experience of seeing anyone do this? What might this look like?
- Read Galatians 6:2-6. How does Paul describe life in a community when the Holy Spirit is involved? As a group, what practical things can we do?
- Living by the Spirit is something that we have to deliberately do until it becomes our way of life. Instead of trying harder to experience the Holy Spirit, we have to make room for Him, and take just one next step. What does it mean for you to make room for the Holy Spirit? What can prevent us from doing this?
- When we have experienced the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Tim mentioned that we need to tell someone, keep going, and then follow the relational pathways. Do you have a trusted person you could share this with?
Respond
We are designed to live by the Spirit so that we can represent God and bring the Good News to people around us. It is not the kind of life that we just happen to drift into, but we have to be intentional in making small steps in the same direction, day by day. What is one small step you are going to make this week?