Freedom in Christ – Lesson Plan
Key Thought: Paul tells us that Christ freed us from bondage to the world. But Christ did not just set us free to serve ourselves, but so we might live in ministry to our neighbors. ..
1. Have a volunteer read Galatians 5:1.
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What does it mean to stand fast in the freedom Christ gave us?
c. Personal Application : Was there ever a time when you thought you could saave yourself? How is that a form of bondage? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “How can we honor our conscious convictions without trying to impose them on others? How do we respond when others try to legislate our conduct?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Galatians 5:2-6.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What does Paul mean when he says faith “works” through love?
c. Personal Application : Could we be guilty of majoring in minor issues in Christianity that may hinder or interfere with a fellow Christian’s experience? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “Why was circumcision such a big deal to the Jewish Christians when it came to the Gentiles? They seemed to make a big fuss about it.” How would you respond to your friend?
e. (Note: Circumcision was entry into the church family in covenant relationship with God. It symbolized being born again for the Jew.)
3. Have a volunteer read Galatians 5:13.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What potential misuse of freedom did Paul want to keep the Galatians from committing?
c. Personal Application: Have we been guilty of using our freedom in Christ to minimize the requirements that God has given us in following His Word? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I’m free in Christ. I love people and do good in the church and community. If I have to break the Sabbath occasionally because of an emergency, that’s okay because God knows my heart.” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Galatians 5:13-15.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does it mean not to use liberty for an occasion to the flesh?
c. Personal Application : Which is easier: to love others or to obey the Ten Commandments? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).
(7)