Men's Group Study Guide
NIV Notes by Kelly Link
Introduction
There are several reasons why people don’t mature in their walk with Jesus Christ. In this study we will deal with two reasons. One is the failure to understand our position in Christ and the other is our lack of understanding of the basis for this relationship. Paul recognized the lack of maturity in the Galatians. Paul gave the Galatians the truths they needed in order to relate to God in a right way. A way that would liberate and empower them to be the Christians God saved them to be. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Let’s pray and dig right in
STUDY NOTES: verses 3:26-29 and 4:1-7
V.26-27 You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. - By believing the promises of God through Jesus Christ we become born into the family of God. This happens when we are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ by faith as in (Romans 6).
V.28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - By becoming united with Jesus Christ in his death, we are born into a new life. Our old life and who we were was buried with Christ. In this world many people suffer because they were born black, a woman, a slave, etc. But in Jesus all people are equal. There is not any one child who does not have the same rights and privileges as the others.
V.29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. - Since Christ is Abraham’s seed, you become co-heirs as to the promise that was made to him by God the Father in (Genesis 12: 3).
4 V.1-2 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father - Before we were brought into our adult status by the blood of Jesus we were under the supervision of the law. Our relationship under the law was like my children’s relationships now. They are subject to their parents, teachers, coaches, etc. They can’t write checks from my checking account or use my credit card. They are truly my kids but they haven’t been brought legally into their heir status. This was just like our standing before we were born again. The law was our schoolmaster.
V.3 So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. - The word used to describe the “basic principles of the world” is stoicheia. A stoicheion is a line of things like a row of soldiers. It came to mean the elementary knowledge. There is an elementary knowledge that is foundational in the world we live in today. The principle of cause and effect. Ever since we were born we have lived under this idea that we get what we deserve. And this holds true today. However, even though we relate to this world in this way we do not relate to God by it. With God we get what we don’t deserve. It is called grace.
V.4-5 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. - The timing of Jesus’ first coming was perfect. Most Jews didn’t receive Jesus when he came the first time. There were many reasons why they didn’t receive him. But the timing was perfect. There were roads connecting the world, the Greek language was widely used throughout the world, and the Jew had been widely dispersed throughout the world making it easier to spread the gospel.
V.6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” - Our Father didn’t leave us to ourselves when Jesus was resurrected. He sent us the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us in life.
V.7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. - Under Roman law, an adopted child was guaranteed all legal rights to his father’s property, even if he was a slave prior to his adoption. He had all the same rights as every biological son. Thus we have access to God as well as to all His resources.
TRUTH APPLIED:
Q. 1 Please take some time to share how we discriminate against each other. Ask yourself who you hang out with. Who are you willing to help?
Q. 2 Read Genesis 12: 3. If you belong to Jesus Christ, how does this promise empower you?
Q. 3 From a young age we come to learn the principle of ‘cause and effect and how this principle permeates every area of our lives. Please discuss how this principle drives our behavior as it relates to relationships.
Q. 4 How does this principle relate to our relationship with God? Do you relate to God by cause and effect?
Q. 5 How can a lack of understanding about God’s timing destroy our hope? Please share a time when you didn’t understand God’s timing and what it’s effect was upon your relationship with God.
Q. 6 Scripture says we are ‘sons of God’. How might identifying yourself as a son help you in your ability to mature as a Christian?
CONCLUSION:
Please take some time in prayer to reflect on how you are growing in your relationship with the Lord. Do you see yourself as a ‘son of God’? Is your relationship with the Lord performance based or grace based? Answering these two questions will give you the truth needed to continue on into maturity.
Grace and Peace to You,
Kelly Link