We become Right with God only because we believe Him

(Instead of the rules we have God’s Spirit in us)

Bible verses

Galatians 3:1-14

A word list at the end of each Bible study explains words that have a star by them. These are more difficult words.

Introduction

God’s Spirit is God’s promise to all Christians. This is God’s power in their lives. So the Christians in Galatia have God’s Spirit to work in their lives.

Nothing we do can make us right with God. We can never obey all the rules. We should receive punishment. But Christ has accepted our punishment. Abraham was the first leader of the Jews. He is an example of what we should do. God told Abraham to leave his home. God told him to go to a new land. Abraham believed and obeyed God. Because of this, Abraham was right with God.

God made another promise to Abraham. Because of Abraham, everyone in the world could choose to be right with God. This promise came true when Christ came. The Gentiles in Galatia, who are Christians, are part of this promise.

Questions

Galatians 3:1 ~ How does Paul describe the Christians in Galatia?

Galatians 3:2 ~ When did they receive God’s Spirit?

Galatians 3:3 ~ How have the Christians in Galatia changed?

Galatians 3:4 ~ What does Paul say about difficulties and troubles?

Galatians 3:5 ~ How does Paul describe what God’s Spirit can do in our lives?

Galatians 3:6-7 ~ How should we be like Abraham?

Galatians 3:8-9 ~ What did God promise Abraham about the Gentiles?

Galatians 3:10 ~ Some people obey the rules to be right with God. What will happen to them?

Galatians 3:11 ~ How does God describe the person that he has accepted?

Galatians 3:12 ~ How can rules take us from God?

Galatians 3:13 ~ What has Christ done for us? What did this cost him?

Galatians 3:14 ~ When we believe Christ, what can we receive from God? Why?

Something to do

Talk about why it can be hard to receive a gift. (This might be because of us, or because of the gift, or because of the one who gave the gift.)

Remind yourself of what Paul says God’s Spirit will do. You could also read John 15:26 and John 16:13-14. (See also Galatians 5:22-23.)

Imagine that a Christian, who is a leader, says that you are completely wrong. Talk about how you might answer this.