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!