Topic: Christian Living

Series: Galatians – Freedom in the Gospel
Title: Struggle of Love
Text: Galatians 4:8-20

Often, love is a struggle because it is a challenge to love when things go wrong, especially in ministry. What can we learn about the struggle of love from Paul’s passionate appeal to the Galatians in their spiritual crisis?

Perspective Questions:

1. Paul was deeply troubled when he saw the Galatians becoming law-centred instead of Christ-centred. He tried hard to correct their doctrinal error so that they would hold onto their freedom in Christ. 

   How concerned are we that we and other believers have the right understanding of the Gospel?  

Application Questions:

1. Paul argued that following Jewish customs to make ourselves right before God is akin to worshipping false gods – we are depending on “weak and miserable forces” (v9) besides Christ for salvation. This does not mean that all religious practices are bad or evil. In fact, some can benefit our spiritual life. How then, can we ensure that when we participate in religious practices, we are not becoming legalistic?

2. Paul is willing to engage in tough conversations out of love and concern.  How can the LG be a safe space to correct and strengthen one another?  How can we positively influence others through our speech and actions?

3. Having zeal in itself is not enough – it is important to have zeal for the right purposes (v18).  How can we discern which purposes are right or wrong? How can we guard against selfish motives that cause us to pursue our own interests instead of God’s?

4. Sometimes, love is a struggle. We need to invite the Holy Spirit to partner with us to expand our hearts and help one another to enter His Kingdom. Will you ask the Spirit to reveal a couple of names whom He wants you to love, even when it is difficult?

Series: Galatians – Freedom in the Gospel
Title: New Realities
Text: Galatians 3:26-4:7

Paul’s opponents saw the importance of the sacrifice of Christ in providing atonement, but they did not believe the Cross was important enough to discontinue the Law. On the contrary, Paul saw the Cross as changing everything. What is the new reality that believers have in Christ?

Perspective Questions:

1. In Christ, we have a new status as children of God (3:26-27). What was our previous status (Read Eph 2:1-3; Rom 5:10)? What does this drastic change in status show about God’s character and attitude towards us? 

2. In Christ, we have a new liberty (4:1-7). Yet some may still think that subjecting themselves to policies or rules can make them better Christians. Can you think of such examples? What do you think is the consequence of living by rules instead of living by grace? 

Application Questions:

1. How can we maintain the unity that we have in Christ? 

2. How can our LG be more welcoming to people who are different from us?

Series: Galatians – Freedom in the Gospel
Title: Purpose of the Law
Text: Galatians 3:15-25

How does knowing the purpose of the Law of Moses affect how we treat it?

General Questions:

1. Our society is governed by rules and laws. What do you think are the benefits and drawbacks of having laws in general? Do you consider yourself to be someone law-abiding? If so, why do you obey laws?

2. Why do you think God gave His people the Mosaic Law, knowing that imperfect human beings will never be able to obey Him perfectly? What role does God’s Law play in your life personally?

Perspective Questions:

1. From the Scriptures, we learn that the promise is superior to the  Law.  What do you think are reasons why some people prefer to live by the Law instead of the promise of God? 

2. We may swing to two extremes when it comes to God’s Law – to adhere to it legalistically, or to ignore it and live a lawless life. What do you think will be the outcome of our life and faith if we swing to either extreme? What is the proper way to treat the Law? 

Application Questions:

1. One reason the Law was given was to make sins obvious. Are there areas or situations in your life that you know you have fallen short of God’s standards? How do you think God want us to respond when our sins are revealed?

2. What are some “laws” that govern your life today? How can you stop living by these “laws” and start living for the holy ideal that God calls us to in Christ?

Series: Galatians – Freedom in the Gospel
Title: Only Way to Be Right with God
Text: Galatians 3:7-14

Many of us grew up thinking that if we want something, we must work for it. But being right with God is not something we can work for because no one, except Christ, can perfectly live up to God’s standards. How then, can a person be right with God? 

Perspective Questions:

1. What is the key difference between believing and doing when it comes to being right with God? How would a person who relies on faith differ from a person who relies on works to obtain a right standing before God?

2. We may have been conditioned by the world to think that we would only be accepted only if we are strong and capable. But are these qualities that matter most to God? What does God really look for from His people?

3. How should we understand the relationship between faith and works? Read James 2:14-24. 

Application Questions:

1. How can we base our security not in what we can do but in what Christ has done for us?

Title: Key To Finishing Well
Text: Galatians 3:1-6

Saying the sinner’s prayer with faith is a joyous event, but it is just the beginning. Not only do we want to start well, we also want to end well. How can believers progress toward spiritual maturity and finish the race well such that on the final day of judgment, they will receive the promised salvation?

General Questions:

1. Do you remember how it felt when you first accepted Christ into your life as your Lord and Saviour? What did it mean to you that you have been saved? Share how you felt with the lifegroup.
2. Do you still feel the same way about your salvation? How has it changed over the years?

Perspective Questions:

1. What does it mean for a believer to finish their life well?
2. What are some signs that you may have forgotten that you are saved by grace alone? What are some indications that you may be trusting yourself instead of God for salvation?
3. What are some situations or ways of thinking that may lead us to rely on our strength instead of looking to God for His grace?

Application Questions:

1. What are some ways we can keep our eyes on the Cross and our faith in God?

2. What are some things you are believing in God to do in or through your life?

3. What are some past experiences with God that have taught you to depend on Him? As you face current challenges in your life, how can you apply the lessons you have learnt from past experiences?

Apostle Paul defended the Gospel with all his might to persuade the Galatians to resist the bondage of the Law and remain in the freedom of the Gospel.

Would you do the same?

In this second instalment of our Galatians book study, learn how we can resist returning to the Law and resolve to live freely in Christ.

How can we keep our emotions, especially our anger in check in this fast paced and stressful society?

How can we keep our emotions, especially our anger in check in this fast paced and stressful society?

Title: Alcohol According To The Bible
Text: Various

Drinking alcohol is socially acceptable for many people. Yet besides the commonly heard mantra “you can drink, just don’t get drunk,” what are some principles we can consider from the Bible that can guide our decisions about drinking?

General Questions:

1. What are your experiences with alcohol? Would you say you have a positive or negative impression of it? Why?

Perspective Questions:

1. The Bible neither prohibits nor encourages drinking. How does knowing this fact help us to relate with people who may disagree with us on the issue of drinking?

2. Just because the Bible does not condemn or commend drinking (for purposes other than medical) does not mean that it does not have principles that can guide us in deciding whether to drink or not. For example, consider passages such as 1 Cor 10:23-11:1. What is the key principle in this passage? How does this principle affect our approach to drinking? 

3. Some may ask, how about drinking when no one else is around? Many turn to alcohol to “drown their sorrows” or to take the edge off the stressful situations they are going through. What are principles from the Bible that can help us to better handle the pressures of life?

Application Questions:

1. Instead of turning to alcohol (or other forms of escapism), how can we cope with the pressures of life in a healthier manner?

2. In ethical issues such as drinking, asking the right questions can help us to arrive at wise, God-honouring decisions. Instead of asking, “Can I drink?” or “How much is too much?” what are wiser questions to ask?