Central Truth

Grace is getting something that we do not deserve. We do not deserve salvation and cannot earn it in any way. We do not deserve to live in eternity with God. By God's design, He gives us freedom to choose His way over our own selfish ways.

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Reflections

By God's plan, Jesus Christ, His only Son, was born of a virgin woman, so that God could redeem (free, deliver, rescue) each of us from the curse of the Law. If that was not enough, He then adopted us into His family, making us sons who will be His heirs. God knew us before we were created (see Psalm 139), and it was His plan to adopt us into His family when we receive His free gift of salvation. Before we knew God, we were slaves to the things of this world. When God redeemed us, He delivered us from necessarily repeating our sins any longer. We now have both the choice and the freedom to walk closely with Him.

In verse 9 Paul asks, "But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?" What are the "weak and worthless" things that keep me from His daily presence? These could be things such as control, desiring children, pleasing others, or success. While these may not be bad desires, when they consume my every thought and distract me from my relationship with God, I become a slave to them. I seek these idols and not a God who has already delivered me from my many sins.

Why then do I turn back to these idols that I know are not fulfilling eternally? Laziness and selfishness are at the top of my list. I need Jesus every second, every minute, every hour, of every day, to deliver me from these temptations! I need His presence to empower me and His truth to guide me away from my sins. I need others to challenge and encourage me when I am seeking these idols and not God Himself. I am forever grateful to be adopted as His daughter.

GOOD news: We are no longer slaves to the things of this world. (Galatians 4:7)

GREAT news: God adopts us into His family once we call on Him. (Galatians 4:5; Romans 8)

BEST news: God sent His Son as a sacrifice to deliver us from bondage. (Galatians 4:4-5; John 3:16)

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Discussion Questions

1. What are you enslaved to each day?

2. How can you break free of these "weak and worthless" things?

3. Have you received the free gift of God's grace and have a personal relationship with Him?

4. Who will you share the GOOD, GREAT, and BEST news with today?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

Galatians 3 - Ephesians 1 (July 30 - Aug 3)

Read Galatians 5:16-26.

• Look at the list of what your life looks like if you follow the sinful desires (flesh) and then look at the list of a life controlled by the Holy Spirit.
• What are your responses to the two different lists?
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Which list shows more about God's love to others?
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What are ways that you can be more diligent to let the Holy Spirit be in control more than your flesh?

• Talk through each of the qualities of being controlled by the Spirit . . . what do the words mean and how do they play out in your life?

Activity: Go to the grocery store together. Each person should pick out nine fruits. When you get home, take each quality of a life controlled by the Holy Spirit and attach it to one of the fruits. Take one fruit with you for lunch each day. Before you eat the fruit, think back about how your morning has gone. Have you allowed the Spirit to be in control? Have you shown that fruit in your life to those around you? If so, praise God that He is working in your life and pray that you will continue to choose His way over your flesh. If not, pray now that you will have a better afternoon . . . of listening to and following the Spirit.

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