Message Highlights

• The Law was never meant to save you—it was designed to expose sin and point you to Jesus. The false teachers tried to make the Law accomplish something it was never intended to do: establish righteousness before God.
• You weren’t designed to strive. When we live as though God’s love rises and falls with our performance, we’re living a life God never intended. We were saved to walk by faith as fully accepted sons and daughters in Christ.
• In Christ, we all stand equal. The things people use to divide themselves—race, gender, culture, social status—do not determine our standing with God. We are all one in Christ Jesus.

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Conversation Starter

What’s something you’ve tried to use beyond its intended purpose? (Like using perfume and transmission fluid to fix a gun, or duct tape to solve everything.) What happened?

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Core Discussion Questions

Connection Question
What stood out to you from today’s message about the Law’s actual purpose versus how we try to use it?

Context Question
Where have you encountered teaching about the Law or “rules for Christian living” before, and what was your understanding of its role?

Clarity Question
How did today’s message clarify or change your perspective on the difference between living by rules and living by grace?

Application Question
What truth from today’s message can you apply when you’re tempted to earn God’s favor through performance this week?

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Additional Questions

• In what areas of your life are you most tempted to “earn” God’s blessing through effort rather than trust His grace?
• How does understanding that “you weren’t meant to do it” change the way you approach spiritual growth?
• What’s the difference between Biblical principles and personal preferences? Can you think of examples where Christians sometimes confuse the two?

Exploring the Scripture

Main Scripture: Galatians 3:19-29

Paul wrote this letter to churches in the region of Galatia (modern-day Turkey) around AD 48-49. These young churches were being infiltrated by false teachers known as Judaizers—people who taught that Gentile believers needed to follow the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be truly saved. This wasn’t just a theological debate; it struck at the heart of the gospel itself. Were people saved by faith in Christ alone, or faith plus obedience to the Law?

In Galatians 3, Paul has already established that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not works of the Law. He shows the superiority and permanence of the covenant of promise given to Abraham, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, and how Abraham was justified by faith 430 years before the Law was even given. Now, in verses 19-29, Paul addresses the obvious question: If salvation comes through faith and not the Law, then why did God give the Law at all? What was its purpose?

Paul’s answer is clear and revolutionary: The Law was added “because of transgressions”—not to provide salvation, but to expose sin. Like a medical diagnosis that reveals disease, the Law shows us how serious our condition is. It was meant to be temporary, a guardian or tutor pointing us toward Christ until the promised Seed (Jesus) would come. The Law reveals the problem; Jesus is the solution.

This passage also addresses the profound unity believers have in Christ. In verse 28, Paul declares that in Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female—all are one. This wasn’t just addressing ethnic divisions; it was demolishing the very foundation of the false teachers’ argument. If Jewish identity and Law-keeping don’t provide advantage before God, then forcing Gentiles to become Jewish makes no sense. Christ has fulfilled the Law, and now all who are in Him stand on equal footing as children of God and heirs of Abraham’s promise.

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Study Questions

Verses 19-22

Verses 19-22 identify several major truths regarding the law: its purpose, its time frame, its mediators, and its intent.

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The purpose (verse 19): 

• By showing us the depth and seriousness of our transgressions, how does the law direct us towards our desperate need for mercy and grace? Reference Romans 7:7 and Romans 3:20. 
• Why is it impossible for someone to be saved without recognizing their own wrongdoing and violation of God’s laws? Why MUST sin first be acknowledged before salvation can be attained? Reference Luke 5:31-32. 
• Pastor Anthony said that the law merely reveals sin, it doesn’t cure it. What is the big difference here?
  
  

The time frame (verse 19):

• The law was never meant to be permanent… It was a temporary solution. The author of Hebrews describes the law as a “shadow” of better things to come. What does he mean by this? Reference Hebrews 8:5-7 and Hebrews 10:1-4. 
• What is the connection made in Hebrews 9:11–14 between the past use of the law/its sacrifices and Christ’s sacrifice?  

The mediators (verses 19-20):

A mediator by definition is “one who stands between two parties.” The law was given through two types of mediators: first through angels (Acts 7:53 & Hebrews 2:2), and then through Moses (Exodus 19:18-24). The covenant of law required mediators.   

• In direct contrast, what do Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 9:15, and 1 Timothy 2:5 tell us about the mediator of the new covenant in which we are saved?  
• Now that we are no longer burdened by the law, why are additional mediators between God and us not required? Reference Hebrews 10:19-20 and Ephesians 2:18.

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The intent (verses 21-22): 

• God established both the Mosaic Covenant and the Abrahamic Covenant. Pastor Anthony stated that they are not opposed to one another, but simply serve different purposes. How do they co-exist in tandem? Reference Matthew 5:17-18 and Romans 3:21-31.
• If the law had the ability to save, it would have provided an alternate and conflicting path to salvation. Understanding that this is impossible, what can we deduce regarding the intention of the law? Reference Romans 8:3-4 and Romans 5:18-21. 

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Verses 23-25

The Law was never intended to repair the human condition. While it commanded specific actions, God was ultimately concerned with the heart behind those actions (Psalm 40:6–8). It was never about earning righteousness through works; rather, it was about obeying in faith—trusting God’s promise that He would one day provide a final and lasting sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14). Even so, Paul explains how those living before the time of Christ were trapped (imprisoned) within this imperfect system until perfection arrived. They looked forward to the coming Savior in the same way that we look back to Him. 

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The word “tutor” from verses 24 and 25 comes from the Greek word paidagogos, which is also translated as “guardian.” This position was one classically employed by Greek or Roman families to supervise, protect, train, discipline, and guide their young. It was not so much an academic role, but more so a custodial role. 

• Applying the definition above, what additional insights can you gain regarding the role that the law was meant to play before the time of Christ? 
• A paidagogos would not permanently hold authority over his charge. He was meant to guide a child into adulthood and provide supervision leading to maturity. How does this description (once again applied to the law) align with what we learned this week?  
• Paul was addressing some who refused to give up their works or ceremonies. Metaphorically, they were choosing to permanently remain under their paidagogos. What do Romans 6:14, Romans 8:2, Ephesians 2:14–16, and 2 Corinthians 3:17 make clear they were forfeiting by making such a choice? 

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Consider the following quote: “We cannot come to Christ to be justified until we have first been to Moses to be condemned. But once we have gone to Moses, and acknowledged our sin, guilt, and condemnation, we must not stay there. We must let Moses send us to Christ.” -John Stott 

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Verses 26-29

Prior to our salvation, we were all “enemies” of God (Romans 5:10) and “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). God is the creator of all men, but only those who have been saved through Jesus are true children of God (John 14:6 and Romans 8:15-17). If we have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior, we are a part of “Abraham’s seed” and heirs to the promise. Our inheritance comes from God’s promise and not from our own performance.

Pastor Anthony explained how the phrase “baptized into Christ” refers to the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who places us into Christ… water baptism simply pictures that spiritual reality. In this instance it is used as spiritual identification with Jesus.  

• What does it look like to “put on” or be “clothed” with Christ (verse 27)? 
• What are the advantages and the responsibilities? Reference 1 Corinthians 6:17, John 17:21-23, Romans 6:3-11, Ephesians 4:22–24, and 2 Corinthians 5:17.

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The false teachers were deeply unsettled by Paul’s message, because the law that they had long depended upon to distinguish between Jews and Gentiles had now been set aside. The separation they prided themselves on was eliminated. 

• Understanding their background and what had been deeply instilled within them since childhood, how would this truth have been radical and difficult for them to grasp? How does it prove they had not yet been truly saved?
• The gospel destroys proud thinking. What do Romans 10:12-13, Colossians 3:11-17, and Ephesians 4:1-7 teach us about what it means to be equal in Christ? 
• Ethnicity, gender, background, social status—none of it matters. None give an advantage or disadvantage in Jesus… We are all equal in spiritual value, privilege, and worthiness. How should comprehending this knowledge alter the way we see and treat people? Reference 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 and James 2:1-9.  

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Living It Out

Truth must be in proper context:

The false teachers most likely didn’t set out to deceive themselves or others… they probably thought what they were believing\teaching was correct. They got the context wrong, thus, they got the meaning wrong.

• How can this example act as a strong warning to us?
• Like the false teachers, we can fall into the trap of using scripture in a way in which it was never intended to be used. Have you ever done this? Was it intentional or not?
• What can you learn from the example of Satan misusing and misquoting Scripture to Jesus?  
• Given that human motives, intentions, and desires are all flawed, how can you make sure you are handling God’s Word correctly and within its proper context?
• The false teachers missed out on the heart of the gospel. What actions can you take to make sure that you don’t miss out on the conviction of the Holy Spirit? 

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Stop living a life God never intended for you:

Paul explained that the law was never meant to save, sustain, or secure us. The false teachers took a temporary guide and turned it into a permanent requirement. 

• The Law was meant to highlight how we can’t live righteous lives on our own, apart from the saving work of Jesus. Are there any areas of your life where you rely on rules to feel as though you are in good standing with God rather than relying on God’s grace?
• What are some ways you can ensure you are not falling into the trap of living by strict rules to be a “good” Christian, but rather leaning into a personal relationship with God to sustain you? 

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We need the grace of God through Jesus to cover what the law could never cover. We simply CANNOT do it ourselves. 

• Are you putting forth effort to chase blessings, following rules to earn His favor, putting on a performance to feel secure, or exhibiting good behavior to prove your standing with God? 
  
  • What are the effects of living in such a way?  
• Do you see yourself as a son/daughter of Christ who has been set free from the law and can forge ahead with confidence and peace? Or are you continually trying to earn what has already been given freely to you? 
• Are you tired of doing things by yourself? If so, what needs to change? 

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Prayer Focus

In today's message we were admonished to “stop living a life God never intended (us) to live. ” Turn this admonition into prayer: “Lord, constantly remind me that this life is Yours to live through me. Work in my heart as I seek to turn from law to grace.”