11/13 CARE Sheet – “Breaking Free” series 2 of 4; Galatians 4:1-10, “Slaves or Sons"

IN A NUTSHELL The traditional “western mindset” cannot conceive of life without purpose.  A generation that has grown up with the idea of the random purposelessness of evolution is now caught up in the turmoil of trying to live without purpose and not fall into chaos.  A desire to not be accountable to a “god” or system of intelligent design has left us disconnected with a viable reason to choose good, or hope for something better.

The mindset of living as a slave to “a god” or system of intelligent design is similar in that we have no ownership in the end result of the decisions we make.  This is the philosophical destination of every religious legalist.  “We do, because we must, rather than because it’s good and we can.”  Being adopted as a son frees us up to assume responsibility, creativity, ingenuity, and accomplishment!  When our redemption into the purposeful plan of God is purchased by the life and blood of Jesus Christ our value is established and becomes a key to our breaking free from a cycle of chaotic moral defeat.

 

ICE BREAKER

How can you tell when the "son" of a legacy or family business is operating from a perspective of immaturity (an attitude of slavery & entitlement)?  How can you tell when the "son" of a legacy or family business is operating with the long term purpose of the business as more important than the short term reputation? (Hint - think Penn State)

 

CONNECTING TO THE TEXT

  • Paul is speaking as a Jew to Gentiles, but mostly Jews that turned to Jesus Christ. Most of their lives were spent living under the assumption and “tutelage” of the law of Moses.  They grew up thinking the Mosaic Law would save the Jews, but now they are sorting out the significance of the fact that the Law of Moses taught (convicted) them that they were sinners in the need of Jesus’ sacrifice.   Once Jesus died, paying our debt for sin, He bought us (redeemed us, adopted us) to eternal life. Consider the purpose of the book of Galatians
    • How is the timing of Jesus’ coming viewed by Paul? Vs. 4
    • How can the time following Jesus’ coming be called a “new order?”  Heb. 9:11-14
    • According to Galatians 3:23-25 what was the purpose of the Law?
    • According to Romans 7:7 what was the purpose of the Law?
    • According to 1 Timothy 1:8-10 what was the purpose of the Law?
    • Read Luke 15:11-31:
      • Who was listening to Jesus tell the Parable?
      • Did the son think like a slave or like a son before he left the country?
      • Did the son think like a slave or a like a son while he was feeding the pigs in a foreign land?
      • Did the son think like a slave or like a son when he arrived back home?

 

REFLECTING UPON OUR LIVES

  • If I am viewing my Christian lifestyle as a series of do’s and don’ts that I must yield to, am I thinking like a son or a slave?
  • Describe a time when you viewed Christianity as a slave to the enterprise, thinking  life as a Christian was drudgery,
  • Describe a time when you viewed Christianity like a son of the owner of this life enterprise trying to redeem creation.
  • Do you think you live life as if you have an eternal purpose?  Or do you allow yourself to get lost in purposeless living?

 

CONNECTING WITH THE WAY WE DO CHURCH

  • How does going to worship services on Sunday help you have a sense of eternal purpose?
  • How does coming to CARE group help you have a sense of eternal purpose?
  • My closing illustration for this Sunday's sermon was about John Newton, slave trader turned Gospel Preacher.  Listen to this!

NEXT WEEK – "Freedom or Just Free?"

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