Galatians 3:6-14

01Read • Observe • Pray

Before Sunday

1. Read the passage

Read Galatians 3:6-14 at least twice this weekend. The first time through, start with Genesis 15:1-6 - which Paul quotes in v. 6 - and then read straight into Galatians 3. The second time through, focus on 3:6-14, but read it more slowly - out loud if you can.

2. Where we've been

Last week in 3:1-5, Paul pointed the Galatians back to their own experience - they received the Spirit by hearing with faith, not by keeping the Law. Now he turns to the Scriptures, and to the one person the false teachers would have held up as their hero - Abraham. They were telling Gentile believers that to be truly blessed by God, they needed to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. So Paul goes back to Abraham's story to show how God's blessing has always come.

3. Observe the text

1. Read Genesis 15:5-6, then skim Genesis 17:9-14. Which came first - Abraham being declared righteous, or Abraham being circumcised? Why would this be important to what Paul is trying to teach the Galatians?
2. Verse 8 says the gospel was preached to Abraham "beforehand." What did God promise him, and who/what was included in that promise (Genesis 12:1-3)?
3. According to v. 10, how much of the Law does a person have to keep to avoid the curse? What does that suggest about anyone relying on the Law to be right with God?
4. Paul quotes two Old Testament verses side by side: Habakkuk 2:4 in v. 11 and Leviticus 18:5 in v. 12. How are they different?
5. Verse 13 tells us what Christ did and what it cost Him. Then v. 14 gives two results. What are they, and how does the end of v. 14 connect back to v. 2?

4. Reflect and pray

Abraham looked up at a sky full of stars he couldn't count and simply believed God. When you think about where you stand with God, do you tend to rest in what He has promised, or do you look to your own performance?

02Sunday

As You Listen

Don't feel pressure to write everything down. Listen for these and take note of what stands out.

Listen for…

• v. 6: "Reckoned" is an accounting word. Listen for what was already in Abraham's account, and what God credited to it.
• v. 7: Who are the "sons of Abraham"? Listen for what the sermon says this does - and doesn't - mean.
• v. 13: "Redeemed" incorporates the word for a marketplace. Listen for what it meant to be bought out of that marketplace, and what price Jesus paid to set you free.
• Faith words: Listen for how many times "faith" or "believe" shows up in these nine verses, and what Paul is trying to tell us.

Two engines: Faith or the Law

03Respond

After Sunday

1. Where are you tempted to add an "and" to what Jesus has done - "I believe in Jesus, and…"? What would it look like this week to rest in what He has already paid in full?
2. Read Habakkuk 3:17-18. What does living by faith look like when life is hard? Where do you need that kind of faith right now?
3. Verse 8 shows that God had all the nations in view from the very beginning. Who is one person you could pray for this week who needs to hear that God's blessing is received, not achieved?