Jailbreak: Pity the Fool

Galatians 3:1-18

Intro:

Paul begins this chapter with "You foolish Galatians!" How would you react if a pastor began a letter to our church like that?


Scripture Discussion & Application:

"Fools" are defined by Paul as people that KNOW but don't APPLY. What areas of your faith are you well educated with but lacking in execution?

What excuses do we often make for not being obedient to the clear and obvious things that God has commanded?

Scripture is full of examples of people allowing their gaze and focus to distract them from what really matters. What are the big distractions that cause you to lose focus on being the man or woman that God has called you to be? What things in the world catch your eye?

Read Matthew 5:17 and Romans 7:4-6. What do these passages indicate about the Law and the Spirit? How do these work together?

How does Paul describe the Galatians defection from the true gospel? In what ways are people led away from the gospel today?

Do you struggle more with escaping a religious past, a sinner's past, or a combination of both?

What are the things you do (or don't do) in order to obtain God's favor?

What "Christian rules" seem to be important in your circle? Can you identify a positive purpose for those rules, or are they burdening you unnecessarily?

If rules aren't a means of obtaining salvation, what is the purpose of the commands in the Bible (i.e. to tell the truth, not to steal, to share what you have with others – Ephesians 5:25-28)

What difference does it make when you base your relationship with God upon how well you keep  a list of rules, rather than living in light of the truth that God accepts you through faith?


Next Steps:

Examine your motives this week. Why is it that you do (and don't do) certain things? Are you trying to earn God's approval, or are you living in the light of the fact that you have been freely accepted?


How to Pray This Week:

Pray that you will live an example of Galatians 3:11 -Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."


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!

Jailbreak: What do you stand for?

Galatians 2:11-21

Intro:

Can you recall a time in your life when you had to stand up for what you thought was right at the risk of looking awkward or even rude? Explain. What was it about your conviction that was so important?


Scripture Discussion & Application:

Read Galatians 2:11-14

Who can you relate to most and why?
- Paul who takes a stand
- Peter who gets called out
- The crowd standing by and listening
- Paul, but without the courage to speak

Has someone ever responded to you like Paul responded to Peter? What was that like? Despite the awkwardness of it, was it helpful or hurtful?

Paul chose to step up and say something. If he hadn't, think of the negative impact that it could have had for the church moving forward. How might your friends, family or coworkers suffer and be negatively impacted if you choose to remain silent about the most important things in your life?

Read Galatians 2:15-21

When most people think of Christians, they think of them as the "thou shalt nots." Do you think Christians and religious people are more known for what they stand against, or for what they stand for?

What are some examples of things that you have seen Christians be "against"?

How is being FOR the Gospel different than being AGAINST a particular sin or action?

Have you ever heard someone describe Christians as hypocrites? What is your response when people say that?

Galatians tells us that Barnabas was led astray by the actions of Peter. Have you ever seen a Christian be led astray from the truth by the actions of another Christian? Why do the opinions of others end up having such a strong influence on people?

Instead of giving Peter a list of things that he should do and change, Paul simply reminded Peter of the Gospel message. What's the advantage in reminding people of what Jesus has done for them as opposed to telling someone to do better and act more like Jesus?

Do you ever feel guilty or shame for not being "good enough" as a Christian? Though it feels natural, why is that mindset in opposition to the saving message of the Gospel?


Next Steps:

What's one way that you can stand FOR something instead of standing AGAINST the opposite?

How can you be more sincere and authentic in your belief of who Jesus is and what he has done for you?


How to Pray This Week:

Confess the works you're doing to try to impress God and others.

Ask God to give you boldness to share the gospel to a friend, coworker or family member this week.


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!

Jailbreak: Here's What It Takes

Galatians 1:10-24

Scripture Discussion & Application:

Read Galatians 1:10

Paul started out the text with an observation: your desire for approval from others will limit your ability to be used by God.

What are some ways that people show that they crave the approval and affirmation of others?

Have you ever faced a time in your faith where your desire to be obedient to God caused you to lose approval/affirmation of your friends?

When Paul started to influence and impact people, he immediately faced opposition over it.

Have you ever faced a negative consequence for doing the right thing?

Have you ever faced opposition from people over your faith?

For some, opposition energizes them and gives them more boldness. For others, opposition discourages them and causes them to be timid. What is your typical response to the opposition that you have faced in your life?

Read Galatians 1:11-16

Paul loved to share his story with others. It challenged other people, but also served as an encouragement to himself.

Have you ever shared your story of life change through Jesus?

What specific part of your story do you think could relate to people the most?

What part of your story is the most encouraging to you when you take time to remember what God has done for you?

Read Galatians 1:17

Before Paul was used to write the majority of the New Testament and plant churches all over the known world, he had some growth that needed to happen in his life through a time of teaching and pruning.

What are the 1-2 small steps that you need to take in order to keep growing in your relationship with God? (Use these as some possibilities: prayer, reading Scripture, sharing your story, serving others, being generous with my finances, using my gifts in the local church to help others, etc.)

Early in his ministry, Paul went back to Damascus. It was the location that marked one of the darkest times in his life (in Acts 9, he was headed there to kill Christians).

How has God used some of your biggest failures to help you learn, grow, and become more like Jesus?

How can God use those dark times in your past to remind you of his love, faithfulness, and calling that He has for your life?

Read Galatians 1:21-23

Paul was faithful in the little things in his life, and God opened up some great opportunities for him later on in life.

What "small opportunity" do you have right now to be faithful and obedient with in your life?

Why do so many people neglect the small opportunities they have every day?



How to Pray This Week:

Confess to God the instances in your life where you've valued other people's approval over obedience to Him.

Pray for boldness to share your story with others that God has placed in your life.

Commit to God that you will take the opportunities He gives you to be faithful and obedient with your life.


Happenings:

On Sunday, February 3rd, we began an 8-week study of the book of Galatians and 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: Jesus + Nothing

Galatians 1:1-9

Intro:

Everybody knows some things are just better together – like peanut butter and chocolate, campfires and s'mores, macaroni and cheese, and Tuesdays and tacos. But what are some things that you see people mix together that absolutely gross you out?


Scripture Discussion & Application:

Read Galatians 1:1-5

What's it like to gravitate away from the free gift of salvation and towards the rules and demands of religion? What's your experience with this?

When/where have you fallen into the deception of substituting human effort for God's gift?

Everywhere the Gospel has been preached, there have been those who argue that it is too good to be true. Which one of the following areas have you struggled with the most?

• Legalism - Faith isn't enough. We must earn God's approval.
• Intellectualism - Earn God's favor by what you know.
• Moralism - Insist we are saved by what you do.
• Emotionalism - Claim that salvation is determined by what we feel.

What does grace mean to you, and how does it bring you peace?

What other things do you seek to give you peace with God?

What other spiritual accomplishments have you glorified in order to feel like a better Christian and be better accepted by Christ?

Read Galatians 1:6-9

What is the simple gospel Paul advocates?
(After hearing responses, read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.)

Why do some Christians base their identity on things other than Christ?

What does Paul have to say about any message that differs from the true Gospel?

How can you prepare to respond the next time you hear a distorted message about Christ? When/where is it necessary?


Next Steps:

Evaluate your equation of salvation. Is it Jesus + Nothing, or Jesus + Something?

How will you live in peace and glorify God (vs 3-5) by accepting God's grace?

Consider the "other things" you do to gain God's favor. How does God want you to repurpose your motives for them?


How to Pray This Week:

Confess to God that which you have replaced his free gift of salvation.

Ask God to give you discernment and wisdom to appropriately share the real gospel.

Thank God for the freedom of the Gospel.


Happenings:

On Sunday we began an 8-week study of the book of Galatians and 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!