No Turning Back to Slavery!

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Galatians 4:8-20; Numbers 14:1-4

Paul is pleading with the Galatians not to turn back, and he gives them four reasons why:

1. You now know God.
2. That would be a return to slavery.
3. Because of our relationship.
4. Christ is being formed in you.

For us today:

1. We can enjoy knowing God and being known by him.
2. We have no need to return to slavery (e.g., old fears, old superstitions, old habits, etc.)
3. When illness does come, look for God's purposes in it.
4. Spiritual childbirth is always the work of God the Holy Spirit.
5. As we have received so freely, let us also give freely.

Questions for personal reflection and/or group discussion

1. Do you enjoy your relationship with God as you enjoy your relationships with family members and friends? What does intimacy with God look like?
2. What things threaten to take you captive once more to slavery? How do Paul's arguments from this passage work to keep you free from such a return to slavery?
3. Paul specifically says that the reason he preached to the Galatians was because of an illness. Have you experienced God taking a weakness of yours and turning it into the very means by which he accomplishes his purposes?
4. Who labored in spiritual childbirth for you? For whom are you now laboring in spiritual childbirth?