1. What do you find most encouraging about Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well?
2. When do you find it difficult to give the gospel to others?
3. How do you know if you are a true worshipper?
4. How can we encourage one another to have the same joy the woman had in inviting her neighbors to “come and see”?
What did you find interesting and/or encouraging about the life of Bezalel and Oholiab?
Why was the significance of the tabernacle?
Both Bezalel and Oholiab came from different places in society, yet they were both called to the same task. How does it impact us today?
God told Moses that he called and equipped Bezalel and Oholiab with craftsmanship and ability to construct the tabernacle. How does that impact the way we view and use our skills and abilities?
What did you find interesting and/or encouraging about the life of Abraham’s servant?
What role did this servant play in the overarching story of redemption? Why is that important for us to see and understand?
In a world that lives for fame and recognition, why is it important for Christians to see that one can make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God while living in the shadows?
Is there anything still unclear in your understand of the biblical role of a deacon?
What does it mean to be “full of wisdom and of the Holy Spirit?”
Read 1 Timothy 3. Why do you think the qualifications of a deacon are primarily character driven?
Spend some time praying for those who will serve as our deacons in the future.
How would you biblically define a deacon?
What does it mean that deacons help the church “serve the lowly” and “act justly?”
Why is it important for the health of the church to appoint deacons?
How would you summarize Paul’s argument in Galatians? In a similar manner, what has been your biggest takeaway from Galatians?
Who do you think Paul is referring to when he says “the Israel of God” in verse 16? Why?
Paul validates his message and allegiance to Jesus by pointing to his scars from persecution. Why?
What did Paul close out his letter in the same way he began it (by extending grace and peace to the church)?
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think Paul writes these final words in his own hands (v.11)?
The false teachers preached circumcision in order to (1) “make a good showing in the flesh” and (2) “avoid persecution.” How is a life centered around maintaining a good reputation dangerous?
What does it mean to boast in the cross?
Why is it important that our relationships with our church isn’t just transactional?
What does it mean that “God is not mocked?” (Verse 7)
Why is sowing and reaping so important in our lives?
In what season do you find yourself? And how can we help each other “not grow weary of doing good.” (Verse 9)
Bonus Question: How in the book of Galatians has Paul helped the Galatian church “not be deceived?” (Verse 7)
What is the significance that Mary Magdalene (along with other women) was/were the first eye witness to the empty tomb?
John believed before he fully understood what the Scriptures said about the resurrection. Why is it important to know that we don’t have to all the answers before we believe? How does that shape our evangelism?
What does it mean that the Scriptures said that Jesus “must rise” from the dead? What does that tell us about God?
How does our view of self impact the way we treat others?
Why must we restore someone caught in sin in a “spirit of gentleness?”
How can we better live out the call to carry one another’s burdens?
Why is it important to understand that we will only answer for “our own load, and not how we lived compared to others?”
While speaking on the Holy Spirit in the past 11 verses, Paul has said that we should “walk by the Spirit,” be “led by the Spirit,” “live by the Spirit,” and “keep in step with the Spirit.” Spend some time discussing each of these exhortations. What is it Paul wants the church to understand/do here?
What does it mean to “keep in step with the Spirit?” What does this practically look like within the life of a believer?
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean that we belong to Jesus? Why is it important to understand this?
Spend a few minutes defining “the flesh.”
On Sunday, we learned that the passing of our flesh is gradual. Although it is crucified, its death is not complete. Why is that important for us to remember?
“4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” - Deuteronomy 6:4-9
“Family Discipleship is the family of God partnering with and equipping parents/guardians to help build in their children an authentic faith in Jesus.”
Often times whenever we hear the words “evangelism” and “discipleship,” our default mode is to think outward (something we do with those outside of our homes). Why is it important to think about these things as something we do within our home, as well as outside of our homes?
Why is it important to see that God calls us to “love him” and “learn his commandments” before he commands us to teach our children?
Where and how can we teach and disciple the next generation?
How is family discipleship a church wide endeavor?
Why do you think Paul calls these virtues “fruit of the Spirit” and not “works of the Spirit?”
Timothy Keller made the point that Christian growth is gradual and inevitable. How should both of these truths shape the way we interact with one another?
If you were to examine your own life, can you see the Spirit of the Spirit growing in your life?
Paul describes the works of the flesh as evident. Why do you think there is so much confusion in our culture over what is and is not sin? How do we navigate this confusion as believers?
Reread verses 19-21. In looking at the vices described, what do you see most prevalent in your own life?
Paul says that those who do these things “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” How would you counsel someone who starts to doubt their salvation because of their struggle with the sins listed?
1.) What does it mean to “walk” by the Spirit?
2.) Why are we so drawn to the desires of the flesh?
3.) Do you think this battle between Spirit and flesh is part of the Sanctification process?
4.) How can you do both: walk by the Spirit, and be led by the Spirit? (V. 18)
What does it mean that we’ve been called to freedom?
Why is it important to understand that we are to not use our freedom as “an opportunity for the flesh?” How do we do this?
What does it practically mean to “serve one another through love?”
Paul uses the law to support the call to serve one another in love. Does this contradict the argument that he’s been making against the law up until this point? Why? Or why not?
Discussion Questions:
What does the “Christian race” practically look like? What does it mean to “obey the truth?” What truth is Paul referring to here?
What does verse 10 mean?
Why does Paul use such strong language in verse 12? Also, does Paul’s example here teach us that there is a time and a place to use strong language?
If you were to survey your heart, do you feel like the warning/rebuke here applies to you?
1. In verse 2, accept = to put trust in, what are you tempted to put trust in rather than Jesus?
2. Verse 4 mentions “you have fallen away from grace” what does that mean?
3. Since faith energizes our love, how have you seen God at work around you this week? How could you join Him in that work?
Paul, a Jew, refers to a group of Gentile believers in Galatia as “brothers.” Why is that important? And how should that shape the way we view and treat one another within the church?
What does it mean to be a “child of promise?”
Why is it important for us to protect the truth of the gospel?
In speaking on the freedom we have in Christ, Timothy Keller says, “Despite its divine source, our freedom is fragile and can slip from our grasp.” How do you find yourself slipping back into slavery?