Lazy Liberty

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March 8, 2009 - Galatians 5:1-15

Open It

  1. If you took up running, would you jog for enjoyment or train to compete in races? Why?

  2. Do you prefer group or individual sports? Why?

  3. Do you like games with challenging instructions and rules, or games with simple instructions and few rules? Why?

Explore It

  1. What challenge did Paul set before the Galatians? (5:1)

  2. Why did Paul challenge the Christians to be resolute? (5:1)

  3. What warning did Paul issue to the Galatians? (5:2)

  4. How would turning to the Law obligate the Galatian Christians? (5:3)

  5. What consequence would seeking justification by Law bring? (5:4)

  6. How did Paul contrast legalists and true believers? (5:5)

  7. How did Paul sum up the significance of circumcision? (5:6)

  8. What really matters? (5:6)

  9. How did Paul describe the Galatians' Christian experience? (5:7)

  10. How had false teaching affected the Galatian church? (5:8-9)

  11. Why was Paul optimistic about the Galatians? (5:10)

  12. How did the Cross mark the end of the Law? (5:11)

  13. What strong words did Paul have for the Judaizers? (5:12)

  14. How were the Galatian Christians to use their freedom? (5:14)

  15. What were the Galatians called on to guard against? (5:15)

Get It

  1. What challenge does this passage set before your church?

  2. What are the side effects of trying to be saved by keeping the Law?

  3. What unnecessary rules and regulations do Christians tend to impose on one another?

  4. What difference will it make if you run the Christian race with your attention on Christ?

  5. How do some Christians abuse their freedom in Christ?

  6. In what ways are you hindered from loving others?

  7. When have you been guilty of backbiting and gossip?

  8. Why should you serve the family of God in love?

Apply It

  1. Who is one neighbor to whom you can show a gesture of love this week?

  2. As you run your race for Christ today, how can you free yourself of unnecessary rules and regulations that hinder your progress?

  3. Whom can you invite to join you in running a good race?

Notes

Galatians 5:1: Christ died to set us free from sin and from a long list of laws and regulations. Christ came to set us free-not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires. Rather, thanks to Christ, we are now free and able to do what was impossible before-to live unselfishly. Those who appeal to their freedom so that they can have their own way or indulge their own desires are falling back into sin. But it is also wrong to put a burden of lawkeeping on Christians. We must stand against those who would enslave us with rules, methods, or special conditions for being saved or growing in Christ.

Galatians 5:2-4: Trying to be saved by keeping the law and being saved by grace are two entirely different approaches. "Christ will be of no value to you at all" means that Christ's provision for our salvation will not help us if we are trying to save ourselves. Obeying the law does not make it any easier for God to save us. All we can do is accept his gracious gift through faith. Our deeds of service must never be used to try to earn God's love or favor.

5:3-4 Circumcision was a symbol of having the right background and doing everything required by religion. No amount of work, discipline, or moral behavior can save us. If a person were counting on finding favor with God by being circumcised, he would also have to obey the rest of God's law completely. Trying to save ourselves by keeping all God's laws only separates us from God.

Galatians 5:6: We are saved by faith, not by deeds. But love for others and for God is the response of those whom God has forgiven. God's forgiveness is complete, and Jesus said that those who are forgiven much love much (Luke 7:47). Because faith expresses itself through love, you can check your love for others as a way to monitor your faith.

Galatians 5:9: A little yeast causes a whole lump of dough to rise. It only takes one wrong person to infect all the others.

Galatians 5:11: Persecution proved that Paul was preaching the true gospel. If he had taught what the false teachers were teaching, no one would be offended. But because he was teaching the truth, he was persecuted by both Jews and Judaizers. Have friends or loved ones rejected you because you have taken a stand for Christ? Jesus said not to be surprised if the world hates you, because it hated him (John 15:18-19). Just as Paul continued to faithfully proclaim the message about Christ, you should continue doing the ministry God has given you-in spite of the obstacles others may put in your way.

Galatians 5:13: Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom or license to sin is no freedom at all, because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own sinful nature. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin, because they are free to do right and to glorify God through loving service to others.

Galatians 5:14-15: When we are not motivated by love, we become critical ofothers. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon the unity of believers is broken. Have you talked behind someone's back? Have you focused on others' shortcomings instead of their strengths? Remind yourself of Jesus' command to love others as you love yourself (Matthew 22:39). When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person's positive qualities. If there are problems that need to be addressed, it is better to confront in love than to gossip.

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