Galatians - Week 1: Gospel Freedom

Written By Kimberly Rodriguez

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE 
For the week of February 4th

Connecting (Aim for 15 minutes)

• Breaking the ice/Think Time

• Growing up what was your understanding of the salvation God offers? 

  1. Quick Review… Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s sermon, what caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?  


Understanding the Truth (Aim for 30-40 minutes)

* Read Galatians 1:1-5

  1. How does Paul introduce himself in vs. 1? 



  2. What is an apostle? See Lk 6:13 and Mk. 3:14 



  3. Why was it important for Paul to introduce himself as an apostle? 



  4. As he identifies the recipients of this letter, the Galatian church, Paul blesses his readers with God’s grace and peace. What does 1:3-4 teach about how this grace has been shown and why it is so important? 



  5. According to the Apostle Paul in vs. 5, who should receive the “glory forever”?  



  6. Why do you think it’s important to identify the work of each person in salvation (vs.4-6)? Would you ever credit anyone for something they didn’t do? The Father Decreed it. Jesus the Son completed it. The Spirit Regenerates the Believer. 



* Read Galatians 6:6-10 

  1. With words that echo Israel’s betrayal of God in the wilderness (see Ex. 32:8), Paul tells the Galatian Church that they are “quickly deserting” God. According to vs. 6, what had God previously done for them? Vs. 6-7 



  2. What is the gospel? See vs. 4; Eph. 2:8; John 3:16 



  3. What would be a different gospel you hear in our city today? 



  4. The curse that Paul pronounces upon anyone who teaches a “contrary” gospel is a “divine ban” (vs. 8-9). How would such a ban protect the church and the true gospel? See 2 Jn. 10-11 



  5. How does seeking to please man affect your ability to serve Christ? (vs. 10). What are some ways you have found yourself pleasing other and not Christ? Discuss  



  6. Summarize vs. 1-10 together as a group. What seems to be Paul’s main concern in writing the church in Galatia? 



Seeing Our Savior

Read Romans 7:24; John 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Peter 2:19; Psalm 34:19; 18;6

The Gospel is not simply that sin is cancelled, and hell is removed. We are not simply forgiven. God’s rescue operation in Christ involves removing the condemnation of sin’s penalty. It also involves breaking the condemnation of sin’s power. That is an amazing rescue. If God is doing this in your life it will be your greatest joy. If not, I invite you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today and experience the freedom of hope. The hope that is in Jesus Christ. 

Living the Truth (Aim for 20 minutes)

  1. “It doesn’t really matter what you believe or what you teach. What is really important is the life you live.” This statement summarizes a view commonly held in our culture. Consider it in light of this passage: what might Paul say in response? 



  2. What are some disciplines or opportunities we can use to help strengthen our understanding of the gospel? 



  3. Where do you find yourself “diluting” the gospel? Do you tend to be self-righteous and setting standards? Or more carefree? Explain.  



  4. Explain how living out the Gospel has impacted your life? Have you felt freedom? 



God not only hears but loves to answer prayers that are “according to His will.” (1 John 5:14-15). We can pray confidently when we pray obediently to this truth. You have just spent time discovering God’s will for you. Now, ask God for what you need to fulfill His will in your life, your friends & family, neighbors, church & community. Don’t be afraid to ask forgiveness where you have blown it, strength where you are weak, courage where you are afraid.

 Prayer Requests (Aim for minimum of 10 minutes)

Pray that God reveals to you who He truly is

Kimberly Rodriguez