Session 4 – Small Group Study Guide
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Review of Sermon Notes
Key Idea: The gospel that gave me life, is worth my life (Part 2).
Last week:
- Because the gospel offers true hope in a world of false gospels
- Because the gospel has the power to transform in a world of brokenness
- Because the gospel demonstrates undeserved love in a world of transactional loves
- Because the gospel gives us a purpose bigger than ourselves in a world of trivialities
Three (more) reasons the gospel is worth our lives:
- Because the gospel pursues true glory instead of the world’s shadow glories
- Because the gospel leads to freedom instead of enslavement
- Because the gospel frees us to love others instead of love ourselves
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Word: How this truth should be understood
- Part of what makes this section of Galatians so unique is that Paul talks about his life, and what he was like before he was saved (Galatians 1:13-14). It’s a picture of intense transformation that speaks to the power of the true gospel that he proclaims. But for Paul this transformation is not for the sake of his own story. His transformation is simply the stage for Someone else to be in the spotlight. Read Galatians 1:22-24 – why is this so significant?
- When Paul speaks about the gospel that he proclaims, a word that he often uses to describe it is that it is a gospel of “freedom” (Galatians 2:4) in comparison to the false gospels being proclaimed. But realize that in doing so, Paul is not simply suggesting that there’s a better alternative and that other false gospels are “okay.” Read Galatians 2:3-5. Why does Paul say that “we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you,” and what does that tell you about these other false gospels?
Worship: How this truth affects your heart
- From Paul’s life in this passage, we get this overwhelming sense that proclaiming the gospel was Paul’s greatest commitment in life. As our key idea states, “the gospel that gave me life is worth my life.” But as we were challenged last week and even this past week in the beginning of the sermon, if it goes without saying that the gospel is vital, why isn’t it more clearly seen in our lives? Take a moment to reflect on your life and heart: What are some of the priorities that get in the way of making gospel outreach a greater priority?
- Reflect on Paul’s words in Galatians 2:4. Whereas the true gospel leads to freedom, false gospels always seek to enslave us. Consider the following “false saviors” of our culture:
- Morality and good behavior
- Successful children
- Money and possessions
- People’s approval and affirmation
Pick one that stands out to you, and discuss why it might be so enslaving to live for that.(Note: If there is another “false savior” that is more relevant to you, feel free to pick that one and discuss that one instead).
Work: How this truth works out in your life
- Consider a “false savior” that you have identified in your life (see Worship #2). Reflect on Paul’s words in Galatians 2:5, “to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment.” How have you “yielded in submission” to those false saviors, “even for a moment,” and can you take time to repent and confess that to God?
- At Lighthouse, we do not want Lighthouse to be about Lighthouse. We want Lighthouse to be about God’s kingdom, which is why we make a concerted effort to give and support various ministries outside of Lighthouse that we believe are about God’s kingdom. Please take some time to read about and pray for some of the following ministries we support:
- Feed My Starving Children
From the FMSC website “Our Mission” section:
As a Christian nonprofit organization, Feed My Starving Children is called to feed God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit.
You will hear us say this again and again: “We want to reach everyone, until ALL are fed.” We truly mean this. This means reaching the hard-to-reach people and places, the “least of these.” They will be found, and they will be fed.
With God’s help we will work together with organizations and ministries across the globe to end hunger.
- Los Angeles Bible Training School
From the LABTS website “About” section:
The purpose of the Los Angeles Bible Training School is to come alongside of local churches to train the people of God in the Word of God to do the work of God to the glory of God. LABTS seeks to be a blessing to the local churches that God has placed in the greater Los Angeles area. We desire to provide each student with a systematic study of God’s Word that is living, effective, cutting, penetrating, and discerning (Hebrews 4:12). The goal of the study of the Word of God is that the student might be committed to serving God. We praise God that LABTS has trained pastors, associate pastors, Sunday School and Children’s Church teachers, deacons, deaconesses, missionary workers, etc. Such service is to be for the glory and honor of our great God!
As a non-denominational institution, we are dedicated to the task of instructing Christian workers in the word of God. Without regard to denominational affiliation or racial heritage, LABTS endeavors to present each student with an opportunity to prepare for effective Christian service. The school proposes to work in harmony with local churches in the ministry of teaching the Word of God.
- Children’s Hunger Fund
From the CHF website “About” section:
Our mission is to deliver hope to suffering children by equipping local churches for gospel-centered mercy ministry.
- Foster the City
From the FTC website “Out Story” section:
Our Mission: To provide a loving home for every child in foster care.
The Bible says God sets the lonely in families, so we know that He longs for children in foster care to be placed in loving, supportive homes. The Church is uniquely commissioned to this task. We inspire and equip local churches with tools, resources, and support that enables them to develop a sustainable, effective foster care ministry. Together, we are working toward the day when the list of children waiting for a home will be replaced with a list of families waiting to share their homes.
- Feed My Starving Children
- In Galatians 2:10 we are reminded that as recipients of Christ’s generosity toward us in the gospel, we cannot help but be moved to be generous with others. Share a testimony of someone’s gospel generosity. How did that impact you?
Sharing and Prayer
- As you think about this season and our study in Galatians, what is one area in which you’d like to grow in living out your faith? Write this down and prepare to follow-up and track God’s work in our future sessions!
- What are some ways that you’d like to apply what you just learned to that one area you’d like to grow in living out your faith?
- Share other prayer requests.
