TODAY:

Galatians - Christ Alone Part 8: The Joy of Salvation

BIG IDEA:

Following Jesus is a joyful & transformational relationship, not a dreadful & superstitious checklist

SCRIPTURES:

Galatians 4:8-20, Psalm 51, Mark 2:27-28, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 5:20, 12:7-10

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: Do you think you’ll go to heaven? Why or why not?

Q: If you’re a follower of Jesus, does your salvation produce the fruit of joy in you? Why or why not?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Connect with God (UP)...

Q: Read Galatians 4:8-10. The Gentile converts had come out of pagan idolatry & were getting sucked into religious idolatry. What are some idols that you struggle with, even if they’re seemingly “good” things?

Q: Read Galatians 4:19. What does it mean & look like to have “Christ formed in you”?

Connect with Others(IN)...

Q: Read Galatians 4:12-16. The Galatians initially received & welcomed Paul & the Gospel of Jesus’ grace in a radically generous, caring & joyful way, but when they turned to the idols of religious legalism the generosity, care & joy disappeared. How is a performance-based “faith” deadly to genuine relationship with Jesus & other Jesus-followers?

Q: Read Galatians 4:17-18. Paul warned against influencers/leaders (especially within the Church) who attempted to gain their own followers & turn people away from Jesus. What examples do you see of that today & how should we handle that?

Connect with the World (OUT)...

Q: Paul would go on to say in 2 Corinthians 3:18 & 5:20 that we’re transformed by Christ so that we can be His ambassadors/representatives to the world around us. How can we live that out right now?

Q: Paul describes his desire to see people be reborn in Jesus as “birthing pains” – how much do we desire to see people around us find new life in Jesus?

NOTES & QUOTES:

“The idol of legalistic religion is more dangerous than the idol of irreligion because it’s less obvious. The irreligious know they’re far from God, but the religious do not.” (Galatians for You)

“God doesn’t promise to bless us by removing suffering, but to bless us through suffering. God uses our suffering to bring about good & to make us more like Him.” (Galatians for You)

“A Gospel-energized ministry does not need to have fans who are emotionally dependent on the leaders. It seeks to please God.” (Galatians for You)

“If Christianity is a check-off box in order to make you feel good about yourself before God, in order to save your skin on the day of judgment, then your Christianity is no different from every other religion in the world, and ultimately will condemn you. What if satan’s strategy to condemn your soul involves not tempting you to do all the wrong things, but instead leading you to do all the right things with the wrong spirit...thinking that by doing those things you’re working your way to God?” (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary)

ACTION STEPS

1) Am I worshiping any idols, even seemingly “good” ones?

2) Use Psalm 51 as a prayer guide every day this week to ask God to restore the joy of your salvation.