Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Galatians 5:22-23), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• In English, “faith” and “faithfulness” have different meanings; “faith” is the belief or trust you place in someone else, while “faithfulness” means you are trustworthy or committed to keeping your promises. But the English words “faith” and “faithfulness” both translate the same New Testament Greek word, pistis, which suggests that these are more one concept than two different concepts. In biblical terms, we can think of both “faith” and “faithfulness” as the exclusively loyal, steadfast persuasion of the truth of God’s word that is both inwardly real and outwardly attested. “Faith is… conviction” (Hebrews 11:1). We are called to keep on believing with conviction the reality that God reveals to us, to “hold fast to the word of life” (Philippians 2:16), even when we face temptations or pressures to find life elsewhere. What are some examples of people in the Bible who were unfaithful to God when tempted or pressured? What are some examples of people in the Bible who kept on believing God’s Word, even when it was difficult to do so? Can you think of specific times when you were tempted to be unfaithful to God?

• God is faithful. The three Persons of God (Father, Son, and Spirit) maintain perfect and eternal faithfulness to each Other—or else God would cease to be God. And God is as faithful to his people as he is to himself, even though we have been unfaithful to him. He has kept his Word to us, sending his Son Jesus for our salvation. In what specific ways has God been faithful to his people? To you? Do you believe that God always has been, and always will be, faithful to you? Why might this be difficult to believe? Why should you believe it? When do you most need to remember and believe it?

• Jesus is faithful. Jesus is God being faithful to us, and he a human being faithful to God. He is as faithful to God as God himself is faithful to us, even though it cost him his life. Because of his perfect faithfulness, Jesus makes his home in God’s home (Psalm 15:1-4). And we may walk in his faithfulness vicariously (Psalm 26:3)—as we abide in Jesus through the Spirit, his own faithfulness is grown in our lives. What does it matter that Jesus has been faithful to God to the point of death on your behalf? In what specific ways has Jesus been faithful to God? Is it possible for you to become faithful in such ways? What might your faithfulness to God look like, specifically? How can your faithfulness to God—your holding fast to his Word and bearing faithful witness to it—be a blessing and a gift of love to others in your life?