Galatians 4:8-20

READ

Galatians 4:8-20

EXPLORE

  1. What stands out to you in the passage?

  2. In v. 8-10 Paul states that basing one’s identity and salvation on moral observance is just as enslaving and idolatrous as pagan worship and immoral living. How can this be? At the heart level, what are similarities between strict morality and unrestrained immorality/hedonism?

  3. In v. 9 Paul stresses the most basic fact of a Christian isn’t their knowing of God but God’s knowing of them. How does this make all the difference?

  4. In v.12-20 Paul highlights differences between gospel ministry and worldly ministry. What are these distinctions and what difference do they make?

APPLY

  1. How would an increased awareness of being “known by God” change your life in the day-to-day?

  2. In Dynamics of Spiritual Life author Richard Lovelace writes,

    “Christians who [aren’t] sure God loves and accepts them in Jesus apart from their…spiritual achievements, are…radically insecure persons, much less secure than non-Christians, because of the constant bulletins they receive from their Christian environment about the holiness of God and the righteousness they’re supposed to have. Their insecurity shows itself in pride, a fierce defensive assertion of their own righteousness and criticism of others. They cling…to righteousness, but envy [and] jealousy and other…sin grow out of their…insecurity.”

    Discuss.

  3. v. 16-17 is another way of saying, “The false teachers have an emotional need for you to need them. And they flatter you so you’ll in turn flatter them. ” Paul, in contrast, doesn’t want the Galatians to depend on him but to depend on Christ. And he speaks truth even if they dislike him for it, because his goal isn’t to be liked but for the church to know Christ.

    Do you ever find it appealing to have people rely on you in some way? Or to like you at the expense of giving them truth they need to hear? Could you be motivated by the same goals as the false teachers?

  4. In verse 19 Paul describes his care for the Galatians as being “in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” How is this an apt metaphor for relationships in the church? How does this affect your expectations, emotional responses, and your “long-suffering-ness” with brothers and sisters in the church?


PRAY

John Campbell