Message Highlights

• You were saved by faith, not works—and you’ll be sanctified the same way. The Spirit who saved you by grace will complete what He started. Your effort can’t finish what only God can do.
• Discontentment is the gateway to works-righteousness. When we’re discontent with our circumstances, we try to “get” God to bless us through performance instead of trusting His grace.
• Religious performance can’t bribe God into blessing you. God doesn’t see you the way you see yourself—His love and blessings reflect who He is, not what you’ve done.

‍

Group Discussion

Conversation Starter

What’s something you’ve tried to “earn” in your life—whether from a parent, a boss, or a friend—by proving yourself through performance?

‍

Core Discussion Questions

Connection Question
What stood out to you from today’s message about faith versus works in the Christian life?

Context Question
Where have you encountered teaching about spiritual growth before, and what was your understanding of how Christians actually grow?

Clarity Question
How did today’s message clarify or change your perspective on the relationship between faith, works, and spiritual maturity?

Application Question
What truth from today’s message can you apply to how you relate to God this week—especially when you’re tempted to “earn” His favor?

‍

Additional Questions (Optional)

• Paul calls the Galatians “foolish” for drifting from faith to works. What makes this drift so easy and natural for us, even when we know better theologically?
• Anthony mentioned that church culture can elevate rules instead of trusting grace to do the work of transformation. Have you experienced this? What did it look like?
• How does recognizing that “God isn’t bribed by your righteousness” change the way you approach obedience, service, or spiritual disciplines?

Exploring the Scripture

Paul wrote this letter to churches in the region of Galatia (modern-day Turkey) around AD 48-49, shortly after his first missionary journey. False teachers had infiltrated these young congregations, teaching that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law in addition to faith in Christ. This “different gospel” (Galatians 1:6) was destroying the church by adding works to grace.

In chapter 2, Paul confronted Peter for caving to these false teachers and withdrawing from Gentile believers. Now in chapter 3, Paul turns his pastoral focus on the Galatian believers themselves. His tone is sharp because the stakes are high: if you add anything to faith, you’ve abandoned the gospel entirely.

The core issue Paul addresses is the consistency principle: How you begin the Christian life is how you continue it. If the Holy Spirit saved you by faith apart from works, why would you think He sanctifies you (makes you holy) by works? This isn’t just bad theology—it’s foolishness that Paul compares to being “bewitched.” The Galatians could think, but refused to use sound judgment.

Paul’s appeal to Abraham (verses 6-9) is strategic. The false teachers claimed Abraham as their founder and used him to argue for circumcision and law-keeping. But Paul shows that Abraham was justified by faith 430 years before the Law was given (Galatians 3:17). The true children of Abraham are those who trust God by faith—Jew and Gentile alike. This has always been God’s plan: to bless all nations through faith in Christ, not through ethnic privilege or religious performance.

‍

Study Questions

Verse 1

Paul’s reprimand here to the Galatian believers was a mix of anger, love, and surprise. He was not insulting the Galatians; rather, he was taken aback by how quickly they had abandoned what they knew to be true and right.

The Greek word Paul uses in verses 1 and 3 for “foolish” is “anoetos”. It does not denote mental deficiency or stupidity, but mental laziness and carelessness. 

• The same Greek word anoetos is used in similar contexts in Titus 3:3 and Luke 24:25. Based on these examples, do you think the main problem facing the Galatian church at this time was mental, spiritual, or both?  
• What is the role our minds are to play when it comes to our beliefs? Reference Romans 12:2 and Colossians 3:10. 
• Why is it dangerous to rely on emotions as opposed to what we know to be true from the Word of God? What does Ephesians 4:14 tell us can occur if we allow this to happen? 

‍

When Paul asks the Galatians who had bewitched them, he wasn’t referring to sorcery or magic. Instead, “baskaino” (bewitched) in this context means to charm or fascinate in a misleading way and suggests the use of feeling over fact. Something had convinced the Galatians that faith was not enough and that they needed to return to the ceremonies and requirements of the Old Covenant. 

• Unlike the Galatians, returning to the Jewish traditions is not a temptation for us today. What are potential and common traps or ways that we can find ourselves being “bewitched” into thinking that faith is not enough?  
• Where do you often see this playing out even in different “factions” of christianity today and why is it so crucial to be on the lookout for this? Reference 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, and Colossians 2:8.

‍

Verses 2-5

After reminding the Galatians that they received their salvation (and thus the Holy Spirit) via faith and not by the law, he challenges them to consider why they departed from their initial salvation by adding to the finished and perfect work of Jesus. 

• The Holy Spirit is the greatest evidence of a believer’s transformation in Christ (Romans 8:16 and 1 John 4:13). Read Ephesians 1:13-14. 
  
  • At what point do we receive the Holy Spirit and what does it mean to be sealed with the Spirit? 
  • Based on your answer above, can we ever lose the Holy Spirit once we receive it? 
  • Was Paul implying that the Galatians had lost their salvation/their Holy Spirit? Instead, what was he calling out? 
• Pastor Anthony said, “If keeping the law cannot save, how then can it sanctify?” What does this mean?
  
  • Compare Galatians 3:3 with Titus 3:4-7 and Colossians 2:6-7. What does it mean practically to “continue to walk in Him” the same way we “received Christ Jesus as Lord”?  
  • Many Christians believe they’re saved by grace but grow by effort. Are we perfected by the Spirit or by the flesh? Reference Romans 8:1-4 and Philippians 1:6 and 2:13.
• If salvation comes through faith by the Spirit rather than by our works, does this mean that our actions don’t matter? 
  
  • God calls us to holiness, obedience, and service—but these can’t earn His favor. How do we hold both truths together: God commands obedience AND we can’t earn His blessing through performance? Reference James 2:14-24.
  • When done through God’s power and for His glory, good works (fruit) are evidence of our faith (Matthew 7:15-20). Even so, do they increase our standing before God or His love for us in any way, shape, or form? 
• In verse 5, Paul underscores his point by reminding the Galatians that God the Father is the giver of the Spirit and He works miracles among them through faith rather than through works of the law.
  
  • How does Paul continually demonstrate consistency with his own teaching on this issue? Reference Ephesians 3:20 and 1 Corinthians 2:4-5. 

‍

Verses 6-9

The Judaizers/false teachers doubtlessly quoted many passages from the Old Testament in support of their legalistic claims. We can infer that they used Abraham as proof that circumcision was necessary to please God and become acceptable to Him. Paul exposes these misinterpretations and shows that they were wrong in their understanding of scripture.

‍

Based on Paul’s counter-argument, we can deduce that the Judaizers’ argument followed this thought process: “If all the nations on earth will be blessed through Abraham, then gentile converts should become like Abraham and take on the sign that marks God’s people as separate” (namely circumcision). 

• Read Genesis 15:6 (the verse Paul quotes in Galatians 3:6). Why was Abraham declared righteous? 
• Now read Genesis 17:10-11 which occurred at least 14 years following the above verse. Why is the timing significant here? What does verse 11 say circumcision represents?
• Paul summarizes all of this clearly and concisely in his letter to the Romans. Read Romans 4:7-12. How does this directly dispute the Judaizers’ claims? 

‍

Being the physical sons of Abraham through ancestry alone was never a means to salvation. It was always by faith (Hebrews 11). Paul clarifies that the true sons of Abraham are those who are in Christ. (Note: this does not negate God’s future promises specific to Israel.)

• How does Jesus Himself make this point very clear? Reference an intense conversation he had with a group of Jews in John 8:39-47.
• How should understanding that we’re “sons of Abraham” by faith (Galatians 3:7) rather than by ethnicity or religious performance change how we see our identity in Christ? 

‍

In Galatians 3:8-9, Paul says God “preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham.” 

• How can a promise given in Genesis be called “the gospel”? What does this reveal about God’s redemptive plan throughout Scripture?
• Gentile salvation was not a backup plan—it was God’s intention all along, unfolding throughout history. What does the following progression below show us about God’s redemptive plan? 
  
  • Promises to Abraham: Genesis 12:3 and 22:18 
  • Old Testament Prophecies: Isaiah 42:6 and Amos 9:11-12 (quoted by James in at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:13-17)
  • Jesus’ Teaching: Matthew 8:10-12, Matthew 28:19, Luke 24:46–47, and John 10:16   
  • Historical Accounts of the Inclusion of Gentiles: Acts 2, 8, 10, and 15 
  • Paul’s Confirmation: Ephesians 3:4–6, Romans 9–11, and Galatians 3:28–29
  • End Times: Revelation 7:9

‍

Living It Out

We must continue as we have begun: 

Think back to where your walk with Jesus began. 

• Why is it important to periodically go back and remind yourself of the moment you were saved and the means of your salvation?
• How is this such a powerful argument against works-based righteousness and what does it reveal about God’s character and how He works?

‍

Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.”

• If we can’t earn our own salvation, then what makes us think we can grow in Christ by our actions? 
• As you reflect on your own faith journey, were there ever times you were led to believe that you would be a better Christian if you behaved in a people-pleasing manner, or followed specific cultural traditions, or rules? How has your view changed as your faith has grown? 
• Do you find yourself sometimes trying to earn God’s love, favor, and blessings with your works, even when you know this thinking is theologically incorrect? 
  
  • Identify one area where you’ve been trying to earn God’s favor through performance (tithing to get blessed, serving to feel spiritual, obeying to avoid guilt). 
  • Confess this to God and ask Him to help you trust His grace instead. 
  • What would obedience from gratitude look like in this area instead of obedience to “get” something?

‍

Anthony said, “God doesn’t see us the way we see ourselves—therefore His love and blessings are not a reflection of us... they’re a reflection of who He is.” 

• How does this truth change your outlook? 
• Write down 3-5 things that are true about God’s character based on Galatians 3:1-9. How does believing these truths change how you approach Him this week?

‍

God calls us to holiness, obedience, and service… but not through our own power and strength and not for our own esteem. 

• What sets apart actions we perform on our own from those done through the Lord’s strength? How can you ensure your deeds are done through God’s power and for God’s glory?
• Having faith is not a singular event, but a lifelong journey of following Christ. What practices do you have in place to help you follow Jesus and grow in Him?

‍

We recognize that Paul didn’t spend time focusing on the bewitchers, unlike the Galatians. He kept his eyes fixed on Jesus and was able to quickly discern biblical truth from falsehood because he was rooted in Christ. 

• What can you take from this week’s message regarding the importance of spending time in the Word and understanding God’s truth? 
• What could happen if you don’t follow through with this?

‍

Discontentment Leads to Deception: 

Often, when we are unhappy with our circumstances, we look for a better way out. For the Galatians, this way was a “different gospel” which promised a higher level of spirituality.

• Has discontentment in your life ever led you to “seek a different gospel” or to stray away from what you know to be true?
• Why do you think many of us deceive ourselves into believing that our own works will produce a better way than Jesus can? 
• What are practical steps you can take to focus on truth and actively live in the freedom of the Holy Spirit when you find yourself tempted to seek another way? 

‍

“God calls you to holiness in Him not as a means to get to Him.”

• Have you experienced a church culture where performance mattered more than presence or conformity mattered more than transformation? How did that affect your relationship with God?
• When you are discontent with your circumstances, what are you most tempted to “do” to get God to bless you or change things?
• The next time you feel discontent with your circumstances and are tempted to “do something” to fix your standing with God, pause and pray: “God, I can’t earn what You’ve already given me. Help me trust that the Spirit who saved me is completing His work in me—not because of my effort, but because of Your grace.”

‍

Prayer Focus

In today's teaching, we were reminded that we began the Christian life by faith and we must likewise continue in faith. Ask the Lord to make Northwest Bible Church a community of believers who walk by faith in Him and not self-effort. Ask Him to show you how you can serve Him in fostering such a community.