Before the Session
- Have the Bible Background Video ready to view.
- Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
- Encourage your group to listen to the Faithelement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media).
Context
Read aloud Galatians 5:1 then play the YOUnited States video clip and ask:
- What do you think of the John Adams quote that was being used here and why?
- How do you think our “spiritual experiment in freedom” is going and why?
- When freedoms conflict, who do you think should get to be “right” and why?
- Why do you think we depend on laws to solve things?
Content
Read Galatians 5:1, 13-25, then watch the Bible Background Video.
Ask questions like these:
- How do you define “freedom” as Paul may see it, and why?
- What does it mean to be “slaves to the law?”
- What does it mean to be called to freedom?
- If everyone could show love for God by loving people, why would we need laws?
- Why do you think Paul contrasts the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit?
- By what means does walking by the Spirit bring us true freedom?
Closure
Listen together to “A New Law” and ask questions like:
- If a person not a part of church culture asked you to explain what makes your faith different and meaningful, what would you say?
- In what ways might today’s passage been used to either promote or inhibit our freedom as believers and why?
- What does it mean to you to live and be guided by The Spirit?
- How might this scripture serve to guide us in reaching others for whom faith has been stereotyped as “following rules?”
Close with a prayer. If you have time, close with a silent prayer while listening to “More Like falling in Love”.
Writer: Jon Self