Galatians Online Bible Study Week 3 — Approval in Christ > Human Approval

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. — Galatians 3:13

Hey, friends! It’s week three of the Galatians Online Bible Study and our brother Paul is not backing down. At. All. He gets confrontational with the people of Galatia (and us) to remind us again that grace is where it is at. We cannot be swayed away into performance, or legalism, or thinking that we need the approval of anyone but God.

Every one of us can get sucked into wanting to fit in to the group, be welcome to the in crowd, or just have companionship!

The world will constantly try to pull at us, tug at us, and even subtly veer us away from being wholly Jesus-oriented so we have to keep our focus!

Very often what will lead us astray won’t be the obvious black-and-white truths that many of us feel comfortable with. It will be the subtle shades of gray where we become charmed or bewitched, where we just slightly drift one step at a time away from what we know is true. ~ Jada

We cannot do this life without grace. Works will not do for the Christian life. And, it’s dumb to try!

I love how Paul, in love, basically says “Are you stupid?” Who needs words when a flamethrower will do, right, Paul?

The grace that saved us is the same grace that will sustain us. ~ Jada

Perfection, legalism, Christian performance… it’s all a trap!

Jesus paid for us by becoming a curse (Galatians 3:13) for us, for our sin and failings – that’s grace!

Our identity in Christ supersedes any other identity that we have! ~ Jada

Every single way the world defines and separates us into groups doesn’t apply in Christ’s eyes. We’re equals. We’re accepted. We’re IN. We’re even. We’re invited. We have a seat at the table.

The simplicity and thoroughness of God’s grace is unbelievable to our flawed and finite minds. ~ Jada

The question “Who’s approval am I seeking?” is so important! Dig into it. Ask the Holy Spirit for help and put Christ in His rightful place.

The good news? We’re already in, friends.

This week in your study:

1. Then, watch the video for session three of Galatians on our study home page and take notes in your study guide on pages 47-53 and stick around to go through the questions afterward!
2. Grab your Bible and enjoy your personal study this week on pages 55-64.
3. Join the conversations about this week’s teaching and get to know our community in our private Facebook group.

Scriptures this Week

Galatians 3:1
Galatians 3:3
Galatians 2:20
Galatians 3:5-7
Galatians 3:10
Galatians 3:11-12
Galatians 3:13-14
Galatians 3:25-29

Prayer for the Week

Jesus, we love You! Thank You that You love us so much. Thank You for the grace we live in. We’re not under a blanket of shame anymore. We don’t have to earn our way. We don’t have to earn anyone’s approval. We live for an audience of ONE! Remind us, Lord, to look to You and You alone! We love You, Lord! Amen.