Galatians 4: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Galatians 4 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Paul explains that an heir, while a child, is like a bondservant and is under guardians until maturity (vv. 1-2). He compares this to how people were in bondage under worldly principles.

Key verse

“So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
Galatians 4:7 (WEB)

Outline

Galatians 4:1–2 Heirs Under Guardianship
Galatians 4:3–7 From Bondage to Sonship
Galatians 4:8–11 Concern for Return to Bondage
Galatians 4:12–20 Paul's Personal Appeal
Galatians 4:21–31 Allegory of Two Sons

Discussion questions

In v5, what is the purpose of God sending his Son?
What does Paul mean by 'bondservant' in v7?
The allegory of Hagar and Sarah in vv. 22-23: how does it explain the contrast between the two covenants?
In v19, what does Paul mean by being in 'travail' until Christ is formed in you?
When have you felt compelled to share a truth that others resisted, as Paul does in v16?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Galatians 4: Romans 8, Galatians 3, John 1.

Before next time: read Galatians 5.