Galatians Sermon Study: Session 7 (Fall 2023)

Session 7 – Small Group Study Guide

Download: PDF | Download: Word Doc

Review of Sermon Notes

Key Idea: From start to finish, as Christians, we live by faith.

1. How You Come to Faith
   • The Gospel Announced: Our Savior (v.1)
   • The Gospel Accepted: Our Salvation (v.2)
     
2. How You Continue in It
   • The Gospel Applied: Our Sanctification (v.3)
     Case Study #1: Our Suffering (v.4)
     Case Study #2: Our Serving (v.5)

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Word: How this truth should be understood

1. Paul’s astonishment at the Galatians (v. 1) is in part due to the consistency of his ministry to them. What did he make his ministry about and why is this important for the rest of the passage?
2. In this passage, Paul confronts the Galatians for their foolishness. Trace his argumentation for why the Galatians are acting foolishly. What contrast is he making between the law and faith in verse 2 and then between the Spirit and the flesh in verse 3?
3. In the book of Galatians, “the Spirit” in verse 2 is a short-hand reference to salvation. But Paul could have referred to salvation any number of ways. What could the significance be for referring to the Spirit?

Worship: How this truth affects your heart

1. Take time to reflect on your own salvation. Paul teaches this is a good exercise to motivate us to turn to God for strength. How is this motivation to love and pursue Him?
2. In the sermon, we’re reminded certain practices can be helpful when they play a support role. “Anything that helps you depend more on Jesus is beneficial. Anything that doesn’t is detrimental.” What are the helpful practices to cultivate a greater dependence upon the Lord? What are practices that have become too much of a distraction and what could change to ensure they are beneficial?
3. Pastor Allen mentioned two specific areas where we might be tempted to rely on our works more than God’s grace: in suffering and in serving. What does that look like in your life? Reflect on an occasion where God grew you in faith as you learned through suffering or serving.

Work: How this truth works out in your life

1. Take a moment to consider your life: What are all the ways that you’ve grown in and have pursued Christ? After writing those things down, praise God that He is the One who “supplies the Spirit to you” (v. 5). Consider how this encourages you to continue to grow.
2. We see that the Christian life is to be experienced, enjoyed, and shared. Is there someone you can share about how God is changing you, whether through suffering, serving, or some other avenue, so you can highlight His grace and power?

Sharing and Prayer

1. 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!
2. 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?
3. Share other prayer requests.