Big Church (6) – Big Impact (Galatians 5:16-23)

We have been talking about Church and we have been studying through the book of Acts. We have
continued to study this question, “how did the church survived the first century?” And we have found
out that Church began not as an institution, it began as a movement. It was because some very bold
Christians who held nothing back to proclaim the event surrounding Jesus’s death and resurrection.
Today more than one third of the world’s population believes that Jesus is indeed the son of God. That
He came to die for our sins and therefore we can have eternal life.

But is that it? Does the Church matter? Not only eternally but does the Church even matter today?
In this culture, in my life, in your life? Has the Church’s message made a difference in history? Is
the Church’s message for eternal life also a message for a better life? I hope as you listen to today’s
message you will be encouraged that the Church does matter, and we have the responsibility to be the
steward of the message of a better life.

Moving Forward

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not only a message that saves people for eternal life, but a message that
restores a broken world. It’s a message that has shaped cultural values and national identities. It’s time
for the church to re-engage at every level because our message is a message of life.

Changing Your Mind

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

Discussion Questions

1. What would our culture look like if the church did not exist?

2. Are there any differences in the way that the church has shaped eastern and western cultures?

3. Read Galatians 5:13-26. What examples can you give to support the argument that we are naturally
bent toward sin?

4. Read Galatians 5:22-23. What are one or two things on the list you desperately want as part of your
fruit? How do you think your small group can help you attain them?

5. How can you be a steward of not only the message of eternal life but also a steward of the message of a better life?