Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.

These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 

Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 4:21-5:1 

 

Discussion Questions for Small Groups
  1. Like the rules shared in the sermon about not stabbing chopsticks in a rice bowl, or not stepping on the cracks of a sidewalk, can you think of other cultural practices or rules that govern our lives?
  2. In his book, The Burnout Society, the philosopher Byung-Chul Han refers to modern western society as an “achievement society.” What do you think is meant by this term? Do you agree with Han? And can you think of ways in which we face the pressure to achieve?
  3. In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul’s allegory of Hagar and Sarah argues for the freedom of a Christian from seeking salvation by trying to do the Jewish Law. How does the allegory challenge the Jewish view of salvation by obeying the Jewish Law?
  4. How can we practically apply our freedom in Christ on a daily basis? Can you share a personal experience or decision where embracing Christ gave you the freedom to resist social expectations and pressures? How did it impact your life and well-being?

 

Missed this Sunday's sermon? Watch it here!

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