Discussion Questions

Week of: October 25, 2026 // Sermon Text: Galatians 4:1-11

Sermon Overview

Don't turn back from sonship to slavery.

1. God has freed you from slavery to sonship. (vv. 1-7)
2. Relying on the law is a return to slavery. (vv. 8-11)

Prepare

Before diving into the Digging Deeper questions, your group could take 5-10 minutes to prime deeper discussion as follows.

1. Read the passage
2. As a group, explain the passage in your own words
3. As a group, briefly recount the sermon outline
4. Open time to ask questions for understanding the passage or sermon
5. Pray for God's help through the Holy Spirit to guide the discussion

Digging Deeper

It's a dramatic thing to go from not believing in Jesus (referred to as slavery in this passage) to believing in Jesus (referred to as sonship). What did your life look like before believing in Jesus? How has it changed after believing in him? Even after believing in Jesus, what are some idols that you need to be on guard against?

God has freed you from slavery to sonship (vv 1-7)

1. Verse 3 says, "In the same way, we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world." We all lived for something or someone else (i.e., "enslaved") before receiving Christ. What was it for you?

2. Being a Son of God means you have inherited and will inherit God's promises. Which of the following do you regularly experience the goodness of? Which would you like to tap into more?^[1]

• I am wanted
• I am wearing Christ
• I am equally and supremely valued
• I am an heir by promise.
• I am no longer a slave to performance.
• I am no longer a slave to non-performance.
• I am part of a family.
• I am Spirit-led in my heart.

3. The following are daily life situations. Apply a blessing from question #2 to one or two that fit for you^[2]:

• When I am anxious about my performance, I can remember…
• When I am focused on being noticed, I can remember…
• When I get controlling, I can remember…
• When I feel condemned, I can remember…
• When I don't feel like obeying God, I can remember…
• When I get tired, I can remember…
• When I seldom pray, I can remember…
• When I get corrected, I can remember…
• When I have little interest in missions or evangelism, I can remember…

4. Verse 6 says, "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!'". In the last week, have you noticed the Holy Spirit working in your life? In what ways?

5. Brett preached, "Being God's sons isn't just about inheritance. It's also about intimacy." Are there ways that you can embrace this wonderful truth more? How can we lovingly remind each other of this wonderful truth?

Relying on the law is a return to slavery (vv. 8-11)

6. Verse 8 says, "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those who are not gods (i.e., idols).". What are some idols that you need to be on your guard against being enslaved to?

7. Psalm 1 says, "Blessed is the man who[se]... delight is in the law of the Lord." However, relying on God's law as a means of salvation leads us into slavery. How can you delight in God's law while not looking to it as a means of making you acceptable to God?

8. Brett preached, "Jesus redeemed us to know God. Not just to be forgiven. Not just for no hell. To bring us into a relationship with God in which we know him as Father. How can you invest in that relationship in the week ahead?

Prayer

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