Galatians 3:15-22

01Read • Observe • Pray

Before Sunday

1. Read the passage

Read Galatians 3:15-22 at least twice this weekend. The first time through, start back at 3:6 to see how Paul's argument about Abraham runs straight into these verses. The second time through, focus on 3:15-22, but read it more slowly - out loud if you can.

2. Where we've been

Last week in 3:6-14, Paul went all the way back to Abraham to show that God's blessing has always been received by faith, not achieved by keeping the Law - and that Christ took the curse of the Law for us. But that raises an obvious question. God made His promise to Abraham long before Moses. So what happened when the Law showed up 430 years later? Did it change the deal? And if the Law can't make anyone right with God, why did God give it at all? Paul answers both of those questions in our text this week.

3. Observe the text

1. In v. 15, Paul uses an everyday example - a covenant (or will) that has been ratified. Once it's ratified, what two things can't happen to it? How does that set up Paul's point in v. 17?
2. In v. 16, Paul says the promise was made to Abraham's "seed" - one person. Read Genesis 22:15-18 and 2 Samuel 7:12-16. Who is the seed, and how do these passages help explain why Paul reads it that way?
3. Verse 19 asks the question many of us are already thinking: "Why the Law then?" Underline the phrases that answer it. Why was the Law added, how long was it meant to last, and how was it delivered?
4. Read Romans 3:19-20. According to vv. 21-22, what can the Law do, and what can't it do? Where does that leave everyone - and what way out does God provide?

4. Reflect and pray

Think about a promise of God you know well, like "whoever believes in Him has eternal life." Do you ever find yourself waiting for the catch, as if God's promise depends on how well you keep up your end?

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. 15: Listen for the Greek legal term for adding something to the bottom of a will - and why it matters for God's promise.
• v. 16: Listen for how the promise keeps narrowing, from Abraham all the way to Jesus.
• v. 19: Listen for the three things Paul tells us about the Law in a single verse.
• v. 21: Listen for the everyday object the sermon uses to show what the Law can - and can't - do.

Promise or Law

03Respond

After Sunday

1. God's promise has no fine print. Where are you most tempted to look for a catch - "Yeah, but what if I…"? What would it look like this week to take God at His word?
2. Read Romans 8:15-17. What does it mean to you that God has adopted you as His child? How might you live differently this week if you knew your place in His family is permanent?
3. Who in your life is worn out from trying to measure up to God's standard? How could you share with them that God's promise is given "to those who believe" (v. 22)?