Table Talk | January 24 & 25

Published January 25, 2026

Small Group Guide: Galatians 3:1-14

"Rely on Faith"

Galatians Growth Group video : Galatians Pastor Tim

ICEBREAKER question

Icebreaker Question: Have you ever worked really hard on something (a project, relationship, goal) only to realize your effort couldn't accomplish what you hoped? How did that feel?

Sermon Recap

1. This week, Pastor Todd taught from Galatians 3, where Paul addresses the Galatian churches who had begun with faith in the gospel but were now trying to add works of the law to their salvation. The key themes included:
  Key Points:
  1. The role of the Holy Spirit as a gift received through faith
  2. Abraham as a model of faith
  3. The impossibility of being justified by keeping the law
  4. Jesus becoming a curse for us on the cross
  5. Living by the Spirit, not by our own effort

Discussion Questions

Part 1: Understanding Faith

Visual Illustration: Pastor Todd used the illustration of a walking stick—one strong (faith in God's gospel) and one weak (faith plus our own works). Which "stick" do you find yourself leaning on most often? Why is it tempting to add our own effort to what Jesus has done?
Defining Faith: The sermon defined biblical faith as "confidence and reliance" (Hebrews 11:1). How does this definition differ from how our culture typically uses the word "faith"? What does it mean to not just have confidence in God but to actually rely on Him?
Personal Reflection: What are you currently relying on to be right with God? Is it Jesus' finished work alone, or have you added things like church attendance, moral behavior, or religious activities?

Part 2: The Holy Spirit

Receiving the Spirit: Paul asks the Galatians how they received the Spirit—by works of the law or by believing what they heard (v. 2). Why is this such an important question? What does it reveal about the nature of salvation?
Living by the Spirit: Pastor Todd emphasized that it's "not salvation by grace and then sanctification by grit." What does this mean practically? How do we live by the Spirit's power rather than our own effort in daily life?
Self-Assessment: Pastor Todd asked, "If the Holy Spirit left you, would you even know the difference?" How would you answer that question? What evidence of the Spirit's presence and work do you see in your life?

Part 3: Abraham's Example

Faith in Action: The sermon highlighted three times God promised to bless all nations through Abraham—each in a context requiring great faith (leaving home, believing for a child in old age, offering Isaac). What do these stories teach us about the relationship between faith and obedience?

God's Missionary Heart: Paul shows that God has always intended to bring salvation to all peoples, not just Israel. How does understanding God's heart for all nations impact how we view evangelism and missions today?

Jesus Became a Curse for Us

1. The Cross: Galatians 3:13 says "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." What does this mean? Why was it necessary for Jesus to die specifically on a cross?
2. The Courtroom Illustration: Pastor Todd used the illustration of a judge paying a guilty person's fine, but then the person trying to earn it back through community service. How does this picture help you understand the foolishness of trying to add works to the gospel?

Key Take Aways

Write these down and share which one resonates most with you:

- Believing God is necessary for salvation initially AND living by the Spirit continually
- Believing God was modeled by Abraham so that we too might rely on our faith in God
- Believing God is demonstrated when we rely on Jesus alone to be right with Him
- We receive the promised Holy Spirit by faith, and are supernaturally empowered to live out what our flesh couldn't manufacture on its own

Practical Application

This Week's Challenge:

Identify and Release:

Write down one area where you've been trying to "add to" the gospel—something you've been relying on besides Jesus alone for your standing with God
Confess this to God and to a trusted friend in your group
Pray specifically that God would help you rely fully on Christ's finished work

Write down one area where you've been trying to "add to" the gospel—something you've been relying on besides Jesus alone for your standing with God
Confess this to God and to a trusted friend in your group
Pray specifically that God would help you rely fully on Christ's finished work

Live by the Spirit:

Each morning this week, begin your day by acknowledging the Holy Spirit's presence in you

Before making decisions or facing challenges, pause and ask, "Holy Spirit, how do you want to lead me in this?"

Journal about moments when you sensed the Spirit's guidance or power

Study Abraham's Faith

Read Genesis 12, 18, and 22 this week

Note how Abraham demonstrated both confidence in God's promises and reliance on God's provision

Ask God to grow your faith in a specific area where you're struggling to trust Him

Prayer Time

Pray for each other in these areas:

Confession: That we would recognize where we've been relying on our own works rather than Christ's finished work

Gratitude: Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for Jesus becoming a curse for us

Empowerment: Ask God to help each person live by the Spirit's power this week

Faith: Pray for specific situations where group members need to exercise greater faith in God's promises

closing Thought:

"The law says 'do this.' The gospel says 'Christ has done it all.' The law requires works of human achievement. The gospel requires faith in Christ's achievement. The law makes demands and bids us obey. The gospel brings promises and bids us believe." - John Stott

How will you live in light of what Christ has done this week?