Scripture
Galatians 4:4-7
Open your mind and heart as you read the passage of Scripture aloud and then again quietly to yourself. Listen for God’s word to you. Spend some time in worship.
Observation
Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians in the late 40’s or early 50’s AD. By this time he had been
following Christ for about fifteen years since his Damascus Road experience. The letter is full of Paul’s passion for his Lord and his commitment to introducing his readers to his own saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote the letter with all the authority of an apostle, given to him by God in the persons of Jesus Christ and God the Father themselves, and addressed it to the churches in the region of Galatia, rather than to a single church. It intended to be circulated throughout the whole region.
The Jewish people were subject to Roman rule and were ham-strung by the law. Yet in spite of this, Paul states that Jesus came at just the right time. Roman rule meant that Roman peace (pax Romana) extended over a large area of the known world and enabled people to travel and carry out business along the road network in a way that had been unknown before.
Jesus was born as both the divine Son of God, and also as the human son of a woman. His divinity gave Him the power and the means to redeem humanity; His humanity gave Him the ability and the right to do so..
His coming opened the door for people to be adopted as sons and daughters of God. The Roman
custom of adoption gave the adopted child the same rights and privileges as children born into the
family. Such privilege is given to any who accept Jesus as their Lord. As such, all who follow Jesus have the Spirit of God in their hearts and are entitled and able to call God the Father ‘Abba’ – ‘Daddy’, just as Jesus called Him.
Whilst the word ‘Daddy’ is intimate and is often used by a young child in their home environment, even so it was adopted without alteration by the early, Greek-speaking followers of Christ.
Christians today also have access to this intimate relationship with the Father and Paul states that we may cry the name out indicating that others may hear it. We do not need to be hesitant and whisper the name of Abba, but call it out, declaring to the world we belong to Him with absolute certainty.
Those who follow Christ are no longer slaves to sin but are children of God – and as such are heirs of God, adopted into His family. This is their birth right, given to them in Jesus.
Icebreaker:
When you are praying by yourself, what is the name you use to address God? Why have you chosen this name? How does it help you to picture who God is for you?
Application
- Why does Advent matter? Is it important to you, or does it just slip past you? Why do you respond to it the way you do? How could Christmas be different if you observed Advent and prepared your heart for the coming of the King?
- The arrival of Jesus changed history. How did the arrival of Jesus in your life change your history? Who are you now, compared to who you were becoming before you met Jesus? How has your path in life changed? What would you like to say to Jesus in regard to this change?
- Jesus changes our relationship with God. How has your relationship with God changed? Do these changes please you, or disturb you? Would you like to become more intimate with God? Why/why not? How can you use this advent to deepen your relationship with God?
- If you are not in a relationship with Him, will you take this opportunity to say yes to Him and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour? If you have any questions in this regard, ask someone who already follows Jesus to help you with them.
- Jesus changes our experience with God. How does the fact that Jesus sets you free from all sin and entitles you to be called a child of God make you feel? What does this mean to you? How does the fact that you are precious to God affect who you are and how you behave?
- Forgiven, accepted, justified, righteous, alive and well because of Christ’s coming. What will you say at this moment to Jesus in the light of all these aspects of your life in Him? What would you say to anyone who does not know Him as Saviour in regard to these gifts of life He has given to you?
- How does the thought of meeting Jesus when He returns for His Church make you feel? Just as His first coming was at the right time, so will His second coming be. Are you ready? What makes you answer in this way?
- How can the group help you with the struggles you have mentioned during this session?
Prayer
Pray for one another in regard to the issues that have been raised during your discussion time, and in regard to other needs of the group.
Service
Brainstorm how you can find a way to help those who do not know Jesus understand the importance of Advent. Who will you tell and how will you tell them? The King is coming! Hallelujah!
Bibliography
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