Called to Freedom

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). When I was little, particularly if my parents scolded me, I kept wishing I was big and free to do what I wanted. As I grew, I discovered that growing means using your freedom wisely and that there are rules and obligations, no matter your age. Has your understanding of freedom changed as you have grown older?

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Galatians 5:1, 13-25.

Galatians 5:13-15 addresses freedom. Notice the differences in verse 1 and verses 13-15. What warning is Paul trying to express?

• Why is it important to serve and help one another in the family, church, or any other group to which we belong?

The passage relates to a topic we touched on in our previous lesson: trying to behave according to our Christian values. Paul warns us that we find ourselves in a battle (like the cartoons with an angel on one side and a devil on the other). We want to behave a certain way, yet we do something different. Paul says that we need to ask God to give us the strength to do what is right.

• What do you do when you feel pulled in two directions? Is there anything in the scripture that helps you?

In small groups, look at the two lists Paul provides. In one list, he describes ways people do not act like Christians full of the Spirit. On the other list, he describes attitudes and actions that show how a Christian full of the Spirit should act. Paul talks about the “fruit of the Spirit” (singular); in other words, how a Christian formed by the Spirit should act.

• Consider how you see this happening: discord versus peace; someone who has fits of a rage versus someone full of kindness.

Consider for a few minutes in silence if there are situations in the church, at work, in your family, or in other areas of your life where you need to change your attitudes or behavior after reading this portion of the scriptures.

• What can help you? Are there situations in the church or community that can change by applying any of the principles discussed? Do you want to share your ideas with the group or make a formal proposal to the whole church?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Gracious and loving God, we know that obeying your will and doing what is right can be challenging at times or get us into trouble, but as part of this church, we want to live as committed Christians. Give us the power to live according to your Spirit and do the right thing in our lives and as part of this community. Amen.

Rev. Carmen Gaud was the editor of Lecciones Cristianas and curriculum resources for different ages at The United Methodist Publishing House before becoming the International Editor for The Upper Room in Spanish.