Group Time | July 2

The True Definition of Freedom
July 2, 2017
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

The very word, freedom, conjures up an incredible number of ideas, synonyms, or lifestyles! Can you share what immediately comes to mind when you hear “freedom”?

Today, as we celebrate the date commemorating the birth of America, we are going to look at the true meaning of “freedom,” and see what God’s word says about it. In doing so, we’ll find we need to be giving Him glory for the greatest freedom life will ever bring: liberty from a sinful and condemned lifestyle to a surety of eternal life with Him.

Focal Passages: Titus 3:1-8; Galatians 4:3-7.

Discuss:

Freedom Requires Submission

  1. Read Titus 3, verse 1. What does Paul say you must do in order to fulfill your obligation for your freedom?
  2. What are some instances of this submission? When can it be disregarded?

Freedom Requires Humility

  1. Read verse 2. One of the hardest instructions to obey is true believers must not be given to slander—or “evil speaking”—against another. How do you justify this in your own life, or when do you think it may not apply? (Did you say social media?)
  2. What is the second command in this verse? What is the source of strife (quarreling)? Read Proverbs 28:25.
  3. How are you supposed to treat others?

Freedom Requires Reflection

  1. In verse 3, how does Paul describe those who are not saved, including you, before salvation? Think for a moment about girls in the past couple of years who were freed from kidnappers. How would they view freedom had they not been held captive for a period of time?
  2. What was your condition before salvation? How do you feel now to know you have been set free from the chains of death and hell? Read Gal. 4:3-7.

Freedom Requires Release

  1. Read Titus 3:4-5. Why did Christ save you? In His mercy, what did He do for you?
  2. Read Ephesians 2:1-3. Does this explain your inability to be saved because of what you did to deserve it?

Freedom Requires a Future

  1. Read verses 6-7. What is your reward for the freedom you have through salvation?
  2. Early pilgrim voyages to America were done for what hope? If there was no future promised by freedom, what would be the benefit?

Freedom Requires a Response

  1. Read verse 8. What are you obligated to do once God has shown you mercy and saved you? Who has the responsibility to “go into all the world and teach the gospel”? (Matt. 28:19.)

Close:

A popular saying in America is “Freedom Isn’t Free.” We all know this statement means your freedom was bought by blood—that of the soldier for physical freedom, and that of Jesus Christ for spiritual freedom. Both carry a huge responsibility on the part of the one who has benefitted from the one who paid with his life.

Paul recognized the obligations each carried, and laid them out for us in today’s passage from Titus. Now we need to take these truths and internalize them, making them our aftermath of salvation. Our responsibility is that we can comfort and teach others with the good news. Take this week to reflect on the paths you have walked, and life prior to your salvation. Can you now look back and see God was guiding you and taking care of you even then? Write the instances down as they come to you, and see the good hand of your God was preparing you for the day you would cry out to Him for freedom from your sins, for the gift of eternal life, and then spread the good news of salvation as you love your neighbor!

Memory Verse: Titus 3:4-5: “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV)

 

 

 

 

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