I Love My Shepherd 27 – Chasing Freedom YA Bonus 3: Arguing for freedom with open eyes

 

Have you ever slept with your eyes open? When, where?

 

Talking about things that matter, does not always mean we will be heard.

• Identifying Truth + speaking it in love
• If you can, name one situation in your life you’d like to help someone with a specific problem…or what is an argument you see around you that you’d like to speak about clearly?

 

Review: What do you remember from Galatians so far?

What is the problem? What arguments does Paul offer as solutions as you look through Galatians?

 

Lessons learned from Paul for argument –

Paul spend ½ chapter of Galatians presenting the problem

5 ½ chapters identifying a solution

check outline in study bible (I have The Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House)

 

What we can learn from Paul about eyes wide open?

• Galatians 3:1-2
• share ideas and examples of Paul’s tone, practice saying the verses in different ways to communicate

 

Question 1: Do we have a foundation with them?

• strong words with prior relationship
• Discerning together previously
• What is the ifference between a discussion with someone you talk t all the time and someone you have only spoken to once or twice?

 

Question 2: Where is the best place for this conversation? Have I thought through it?

• Paul frequently mentions in his letters that he would rather be with them (Galatians 4:20)
• Where are some good places for conversation in your life? (cafeteria, restaurant, home, etc)

 

Have I thought this through?

• Think first,
• What makes for a well developed argument? (big words, complicated topic, multiple points, etc.)

 

Question 3: What has God already done for this person? What does God do in our lives to share His love that is our foundation?

• Justification, life in the Spirit, Christ’s work on the cross
• Meeting Galatians where they are at
• Wrap the argument, the problem/solution in love of Christ for that person

 

Question 4: Are we helping or are we picking?

• Why are we arguing? Who are we helping, ourselves or that person?
• Message of Christ needs to be upheld, truth matters, but love does too
• What are some ways we can open the Word in a conversation without being weird about it?
• We are not the Guardians of who belongs (Galatians 3:24-28)
• Right not rude

Where do you go to hear about God’s promises and grace for you?

What promises from God have you heard outloud in Sunday School, church, from your parents, your youth leader, reading the Word, whatever that have stuck with you? What stories from Scripture or messages give you hope?

Challenge: What problems do people have around you, friends or strangers that you can bring Jesus into, to care, and share hope?

 

ESV Bible translation - Copyright © 2001 by Crossway,

a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

All rights reserved.

 

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