How the Gospel Addresses Loneliness
Galatians 3:26-4:7
How Believers Grow: Part 3
As we increasingly embrace the gospel, God satisfies our
need to belong through a stunning connection to him that prods us toward rich
community with other believers.
1.
Pursue
unity in diversity
Galatians 3:26–29
(ESV) 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through
faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put
on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ
Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring,
heirs according to promise.
2.
Confirm
your identity
Galatians 4:1–5
(ESV) I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no
different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but
he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In
the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary
principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had
come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to
redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons
3.
Walk
in intimacy with God
Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV).6 And
because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son,
and if a son, then an heir through God.
Questions for reflection or discussion
1. How
would you describe the idea of being “in Christ”? Why is this important?
2. How
does unity address loneliness?
3. What
barriers divide people in our area? What barriers to unity must we guard
against in this church?
4. How
would you explain the gospel from Gal. 4:4-5?
5. What
is the significance of the concept of adoption for understanding your identity?
6. Based
on this text, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in addressing our battle with
loneliness?
7. How
is God prompting you to live differently to address loneliness with other
people in our church family and the wider community?
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