Paul calls the Galatians to a new life of freedom in God. He uses an allegory about Hagar and Sarah in order to illustrate the radical new beginning and life we have as children of grace and not children of law.
(Galatians 4:7)
Sermon Outline
“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:7)
Adoption (Galatians 4:1-7)
- Identity of the adopted (4:1-3)
- Adoption made possible (4:4-5)
- God’s gift to His children (4:6-7)
Identity (Galatians 4:8-20)
- Challenges to identity (4:8-10)
- Identity crisis (4:11-17)
- Paul’s passionate call (4:18-20)
You Are an Heir (Galatians 4:21-31)
- Tale of two stories (4:21-27)
- Reliance on God
- Living as free (4:31)
Discussion Questions
- This weekend we continue our series, “Free,” by studying Galatians, chapter 4. Take a moment to begin with prayer, asking God to speak through your study of the Scripture. Next, read that Bible passage out loud.
- In Galatians 4:1-3, Paul tells a quick story of an underage heir. The child has freedom only when the parents grant them freedom. In the same way, Paul compares his audience, and us, to that child. In and of ourselves, we are in bondage. Without God’s provision, what are some principles and forces in our reality that would keep us in bondage?
- The great news to our overwhelming need is that God sees the need and He provided a way. (Galatians 4:4-7) How did God provide and how does that change your life?
- An heir to an earthly king has privileges. What are some of the privileges and benefits that might exist for them? Think about the reality that as a child of God, you are an heir to Him. What are the rights that are given by God to His children?
- In verses 8-10, Paul describes a group of people that are having their identity in Christ challenged. There are being told that faith in Christ isn’t enough. What are some ways in your life, where your identity as an heir of God is challenged?
- Read verses 11-17. Paul describes people that are having an identity crisis. The crisis is apparent as the Galatians’ visible life isn’t matching up to the life they should be living as an heir of God. What are some changes that Paul points out?
- How can we avoid our own “identity crisis” and how might we help people others do the same?
- How do you know when a person is zealous and passionate about something? What are some interests that we as heirs of God could or should be passionate about?
- Some consider the story of Hagar and Sarah that Paul refers to as oddly placed. Paul is describing two stories people are living. Jewish people are struggling by having an identity that is tied to law, tradition, and Jerusalem. The other story is a story of a child of promise. The story relies on God, remembers what God has done, and embraces who they are. Discuss the story we are called to live and how that should shape our daily lives.
- You are an heir of God. You have been adopted, loved and provided for. You are an heir of God. Finish this sentence: I am an heir of God and that means ___________________________________________________________________.