Galatians 4:1-11 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guard-ians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to re-deem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adop-tion as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no long-er a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
I. Are you
Notes:
II. God’s
Notes:
III. We are
Notes:
IV. We can call God “
Notes:
V. Live like a
Notes:
VI. Live in Christ’s
Notes:
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says an heir is like a slave (Gal. 4:1-3)? How does that relate to us before knowing Je-sus?
2. Why do you think God sent Jesus at the “right time” (Gal. 4:4-5)? Have you ever seen God’s timing work in your life?
3. What does calling God “Abba, Father” (Gal. 4:6) mean to you? How does that change our relationship with Him?
4. What’s the difference between living like a slave and living like a child of God (Gal. 4:7)?
5. What are some things people trust in today that turn out to be empty (Gal. 4:8-9)?
6. Why do people (even Christians) drift into legalism (Gal. 4:10-11)? What’s the danger in that?
7. How does knowing we’re God’s kids help us fight insecurity or fear?
8. What are some practical ways we can live in the freedom Paul talks about?