Session 8 – Small Group Study Guide
Download: PDF | Download: Word Doc
Review of Sermon Notes
- Argument: God’s plan for righteousness was always embraced by faith
- Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6)
- “In you shall all the nations be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3)
- Application: God’s plan for righteousness encourages our faith
- Remember that you belong to God’s family of faith
- Remember that you are part of God’s story of grace
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Word: How this truth should be understood
- This passage highlights Abraham as an example of faith, and it culminates in Genesis 15 with Abraham believing God and it being credited to him as righteousness. Take a look at the following passages about Abraham in Genesis 12:10-20, 16:1-6, 20:1-13, and Joshua 24:2. How does this help you to understand what faith is in light of his life?
- What is the significance of the blessing in Genesis 12:1-3?
- In his argument about the centrality of faith, why doesn’t Paul just go back to the story of Christ? Why does Paul go back all the way to the example of Abraham?
Worship: How this truth affects your heart
- When does being a Christian seem more like a burden than a blessing? How were you encouraged through the sermon to see the blessings of the gospel?
- How does the fact that our story is bigger and older than we typically recognize, encourage our faith? What are the practical implications of that (at work, in ministry, with family, through sufferings, etc.)?
Work: How this truth works out in your life
- One application from the sermon is that we are a family united by faith. So we ask, “What has God done in our life?” Could you take time to write down your story of how you came to faith, and also how you see God’s faithfulness in the present? We want to make it a practice looking back at God’s faithfulness in our salvation and His care for us today. Take time in your small groups to share your story with someone.
- We can easily be discouraged by our own walks when we focus on the ways that we are not growing. But part of faith is to look up to see what God is doing. Take time to write down the ways God is working in your heart and life – and praise God for that.
- One truth that we see in this text is how faith is the greatest blessing we could have. In light of the holidays, we will have many opportunities to share our faith. Think of one person you’ll see, and take time to pray for opportunities.
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.
