Pulpit Curriculum
February 25th – March 3rd, 2024
Sermon Summary
This sermon, under the theme “Children of Promise,” invites us to understand our deep-rooted connection to God’s ancient covenant with Abraham, realized through faith in Christ. It challenges us to live by faith, appreciate our spiritual heritage, and actively work towards unity in the diverse body of Christ. The sermon offers timeless insights into how we can live as followers of Jesus in a complex and divided world.
Verse of the Week
Galatians 3:23-24
23 “ Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith..
Going Deeper
Review Galatians 3: 15 –29
1) As children of God, we are encouraged to pursue an intimate relationship with Him including through meditating on his Word, personal prayer, worship, and service to others.
a) Support this mandate by reference to Scripture.
b) To what extent have you embraced these means of grace in your faith journey.?
2) Apart from the Abrahamic covenant, which is the focus of today’s sermon, identify at least one other example in Scripture of God’s having made a sacred promise to another foundational Biblical leader.
a) How did God’s promise alter the course of the recipient’s life?
b) What was the consequential impact on the lives of those with whom he lived in community?
3) Galatians 3:24 states “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.”
a) What is your understanding of the word ‘guardian’ in this context.
b) Where else in Scripture have you seen the concept in play?
c) How have you experienced this phenomenon in the course of your walk with Christ?
4) What do you understand by being ‘baptized into Christ’ (Galatians 3:27)?
a) What impact is this expected to have on a believer’s relationship with others of like mind?
b) Support your responses with reference to Scripture.
a) What is the purpose of Christ’s sacrifice?
Assess Your Life
1) While traditionally we have been taught from youth to obey the 10 Commandments, the sermon reinforces the fact that the way to truly be saved goes beyond adhering to a set of rules, but by demonstrated faith in Jesus Christ. Outline at least three ways that your life has changed since you committed to a personal relationship with Christ.
2) If you have not yet taken that leap of faith, what is it that is holding you back?
Application
Inevitably even as committed followers of Christ, at times our faith will be challenged, whether generally by the cares and attractions of the world, or more directly by the scars and disappointments of our personal life experiences.
a) Reflect on what have been your most significant challenges to consistent faith in God to date and what practical measures you can take to address them.
b) Assess what you may act on without further delay and get to it immediately – during this week.
I will ask_____ to hold me accountable in this
Sermon Main Points
In traversing the journey from law to liberty through faith in Christ alone, believers need to:
1) Embrace Your Identity as a Child of Promise
2) Live by Faith, Not Just Rules
3) Foster Greater Unity in the Christian Community
Reflect on how the message of being ‘one in Christ’ challenges divisions within today’s church.
Sermon Reflection
What stood out for me in this sermon?
The call to Christian unity and inclusivity is similar to the efforts in multicultural societies to celebrate diversity and foster inclusivity, recognizing that a tapestry of different threads can create a richer, more beautiful picture.
Strive for a community where differences are not just tolerated but celebrated, embodying the unity that Paul speaks of.
Just as a calling motivates and fulfills in a way that mere rule-following cannot, a life of faith in Christ offers a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose, transcending the mere adherence to religious or moral laws.
Reflect on what it means to be an heir of God’s promises. This identity should inspire confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging in God’s grand narrative.
What is something I can do to remember this?
5 Day Study Plan
Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.
Follow these steps
1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)
3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)
Day 1 - 1 John 3: 1
Day 2 - Acts 13: 32-33
Day 3 - Romans 4: 13-15
Day 4 - Romans 6: 1-4
Day 5 - 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13
For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.