Jailbreak: The Unspoken Code

Galatians 6:1-18

Icebreaker:

As a kid, were you ever caught "red-handed" doing something wrong? Have you ever caught somebody red-handed? What did you say or do?


Scripture Discussion:

1 - Out of the 4 ways Paul calls us to love, which one seems to be the hardest in your life?
• when someone fails
• with generosity
• in timing
• in bragging and suffering

2 - Have you ever attempted to restore someone that broke your trust or did something wrong to you? How did it go?

3 - Do you think Galatians 6:1-6 applies to non-Christians? Why or why not?

4 - Read Galatians 6:2-5. How can we determine what burden should be carried by a person, and what burden may appropriately require assistance in?

5 - How important is it for us to be patient and gentle in restoring someone? (Gal 6:1-2) Does that really matter, or is it just about the final result?

6 - What kind of crop are you expecting or sowing and reaping conflict with grace?

7 - In your opinion does the law of sowing and reaping conflict with grace? (Gal 6:7-9, Pro 3:12)

8 - What steps could you take to sow to the Spirit more?

9 - In what ways do you find worldly matters still pressuring you?

10 - When and why were you last weary of "doing good?" How can you become more established so your passion for spiritual matters remains high?

11 - Read Gal 6:10. Why do you think Paul said we should do good especially to those who belong to the family of believers? How can the church do that without becoming exclusive?

12 - Give some examples of how your rGroup has helped each other carry burdens. Take time to thank people personally for specific ways they have helped.


Closing Challenge:

Is there someone that comes to mind that this passage is prompting you to restore?


Pray:

Pray for each member of the group, that we would be more cooperative in the heart-shaping changes Jesus wants to make in us.

Ask the Spirit of Jesus to guide you in truth and to change you as needed.


Happenings:

Good Friday Night of Worship
Friday, April 19th
7:00 PM
South Fork Campus
Family Service (Childcare for children up to Pre-K)

We will gather for a time of worship as we remember, reflect, and rejoice about the remarkable work Jesus accomplished on the cross for us. Join us for this special evening as we begin Easter weekend.

Read Through Galatians
During this 8-week study of the book of Galatians, we are challenging ourselves to read along in Galatians during the week as we go. Turns out there are 6 chapters in Galatians, so we'd love for you to join us by reading one chapter of Galatians each day Monday–Friday each week during the 8-week study.

If you do, then at the end you'll have read through the book 8 times, heard 8 sermons on it, and had 8 opportunities to discuss it in rGroups if your rGroup follows our sermon series. We hope you'll lean into this challenge and encourage your group to do so as well and that God will speak to you powerfully along the way!

Jailbreak: The Key to Freedom

Galatians 5:13-26

Icebreaker:

Have you ever thought to yourself, "that person must be a Christian" even though you didn't know that person? What was it about them that made you think that?


Scripture Discussion:

v. 13 - What key concept describes the believer?
(The believer is described as "free.")

v. 14 - What command summarizes God's law, and how does this help us in using our freedom?
(Freedom in Christ is good news! It calls us to "serve one another in love" We use our freedom to follow God's way of love rather than to indulge in sinful nature.)

v. 15 - In today's culture, what might it mean to bite and devour each other?

v. 16 - What does Paul mean by "living in.." and "keeping step with the Spirit"? How can you do that in your daily life?

v. 18 - If we are no longer "under the law," why do we still struggle to live in line with God's law?

v. 19-21 - What quality is lacking in the person who indulges in the sinful nature?
(The lack of love for God and others.)

v. 21 Paul warns, "Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." What is the kingdom of God?
(Help group members see that the kingdom of God is found wherever God is honored and served as the highest authority. In this kingdom God's desires and commands have precedence over any other rules or desires. Again, love is the main characteristic of the kingdom of God, because love is the essence of God's nature (see 1 John 4:7-21).

v. 22-26 - What qualities describe the fruits of the Spirit? Is this a "to do" list or a "to be" list? Explain?

What do these qualities reveal about God's character?
(The list of qualities known as the "fruit of the Spirit" is a description of the very character of God. The fruit of the Spirit is the character of God being built in the believer.)

If there is such a clear distinction between living in the flesh and living in the Spirit, why do we find ourselves wavering between the two? How can they be so opposite, but yet they are sometimes both prevalent in our lives?

In what way do all of these qualities of the Spirit hang together?
(If people have trouble seeing that all these things are qualities of the same fruit, ask a few questions like these:
- Is it possible for an unkind person to be filled with joy?
- Can a person who lacks self-control have peace?)

Which types of spiritual fruit come naturally to you, and which don't?

What does Paul mean when he says we are to "crucify the sinful nature" in verse 24?
(See also Romans 6:12-13)


Next Steps:

Think on how Jesus is causing the fruit of the Spirit to grow in you. Is there any area in which your life is less fruitful than it should be? What is one way you can nurture the growth of that fruit in you?

Write down 3 ways you will grow in love with God this week.

Write down 3 ways you will show love towards others this week.


Pray:

Pray for each member of the group, that we would be more cooperative in the heart-shaping changes Jesus wants to make in us.

Ask the Spirit of Jesus to guide you in truth and to change you as needed.


Happenings:

Good Friday Night of Worship
Friday, April 19th
7:00 PM
South Fork Campus
Family Service (Childcare for children up to Pre-K)

We will gather for a time of worship as we remember, reflect, and rejoice about the remarkable work Jesus accomplished on the cross for us. Join us for this special evening as we begin Easter weekend.

Read Through Galatians
During this 8-week study of the book of Galatians, we are challenging ourselves to read along in Galatians during the week as we go. Turns out there are 6 chapters in Galatians, so we'd love for you to join us by reading one chapter of Galatians each day Monday–Friday each week during the 8-week study.

If you do, then at the end you'll have read through the book 8 times, heard 8 sermons on it, and had 8 opportunities to discuss it in rGroups if your rGroup follows our sermon series. We hope you'll lean into this challenge and encourage your group to do so as well and that God will speak to you powerfully along the way!

Jailbreak: Free Free Free

Galatians 5:1-15

Read v. 1

The chapter opens: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." How does that statement compare to how most people view and understand Christianity?

How does Christ set us free? When you consider this, what response do you have? Joy? Conviction? Something else?

Verse 1 concludes by saying, "Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." That's asking you a question: are you living in Christ's freedom?

In what ways are you tempted to return to that old yoke of slavery?

Read v. 2-6

Define "legalism."

Why is it so dangerous?

Why is it so different than freedom?

By contrast, define the gospel.

Read v. 7-10

Even though the legalistic teachers claimed to promote obedience – Paul says that they were hindering the Galatians from obedience. Do you have any examples from your own life of how legalistic thinking actually hinders obedience?

The Galatians were "running well" before legalism entered into the picture. Why does Christ's grace and freedom produce a better kind of obedience in us than legalism does?

How does a legalist think of God? How does someone who trusts in the gospel of grace think of God?

Read v. 11-12

In Galatians, Paul is addressing a specific 1st Century problem of returning to the Jewish Law as a way to earn God's favor. What are ways that we leave grace and try to win God's favor in the 21st Century?

Read v. 13-15

Why does legalism result in such division in the church? How can this be avoided?

Why can Paul say (v 14) that loving your neighbor as yourself fulfills the whole law? How does that actually work?

Next Steps:

As you run your race for Christ today, how can you free yourself of unnecessary rules and regulations that hinder your progress?

Who in your life needs to be served through love this week? (v 13)


How to Pray This Week:

Pray for God to give you grace and empowerment through the Holy Spirit to turn away from the entrapment of a works-based relationship with Him.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you towards loving and serving others this week.


Happenings:

Good Friday Night of Worship
Friday, April 19th
7:00 PM
South Fork Campus
Family Service (No Childcare)

We will gather for a time of worship as we remember, reflect, and rejoice about the remarkable work Jesus accomplished on the cross for us. Join us for this special evening as we begin Easter weekend.

Read Through Galatians
During this 8-week study of the book of Galatians, we are challenging ourselves to read along in Galatians during the week as we go. Turns out there are 6 chapters in Galatians, so we'd love for you to join us by reading one chapter of Galatians each day Monday–Friday each week during the 8-week study.

If you do, then at the end you'll have read through the book 8 times, heard 8 sermons on it, and had 8 opportunities to discuss it in rGroups if your rGroup follows our sermon series. We hope you'll lean into this challenge and encourage your group to do so as well and that God will speak to you powerfully along the way!

Jailbreak: Be Like Me

Galatians 4:8-20

(v 8) Paul mentions that the church in Galatia was drifting away from their roots of grace and faith in Jesus, and falling into the law and rule-following. What causes Christians today to drift away from Jesus?

(v 9) Paul mentions that there is a difference between you knowing who God is and God knowing you. What is the difference? How do you know that you won't be like the religious people that Jesus talked about that will stand in front of God one day only to hear "I never knew you, depart from me."

(v 11) Paul was afraid that his investment in the Galatians was a waste of time. Why did he think this? Have you ever felt discouraged about your investment in someone else?

(v 12) Paul told the people to "be like me." Is there someone in your life that you look to and try to imitate from a spiritual perspective? Does anyone in your life look to you as the spiritual example that they are trying to observe and imitate?

(v 12) Paul's reason for them to become like him is that he became like them. Who has God put in your life that you need to get to know a whole lot better in order to reach them? What can you do to "become like them" so that you earn what it takes to impact their life?

(v 13) Paul's season of sickness resulted in many people coming to Christ and a church being planted in Galatia. Could you describe a season where your difficult/pain/trouble led to something helpful and beneficial to others?

• How long after the tough season ended did it take for you to realize that God was working something for good in it?
• How can that serve as an encouragement for us today as we find ourselves in hardships?

(v 19) Paul says he'll labor until Christ is formed in them. What is something that you need to continue investing in until (the mission is accomplished)?


Next Steps:

At REVO, one of our core values is MOVE FORWARD. Paul wanted the church to move forward in God's grace and truth, and not move backwards by being a slave to the law. In what ways have you moved forward in the past 6 months? What is your plan for the next 6 months to keep taking steps in the right direction?

Who's discipling you, who are you discipling, and who are they discipling?


How to Pray This Week:

Confess any areas where you've been drifting away from Jesus, and only going through the motions.

Ask for God's wisdom and direction as you seek to be an example and mentor to people in your life.


Happenings:

During this 8-week study of the book of Galatians, we are challenging ourselves to read along in Galatians during the week as we go. Turns out there are 6 chapters in Galatians, so we'd love for you to join us by reading one chapter of Galatians each day Monday–Friday each week during the 8-week study.

If you do, then at the end you'll have read through the book 8 times, heard 8 sermons on it, and had 8 opportunities to discuss it in rGroups if your rGroup follows our sermon series. We hope you'll lean into this challenge and encourage your group to do so as well and that God will speak to you powerfully along the way!