SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY: SONS & DAUGHTERS – FAITH OVER FEELINGS
Based on the message by Chad Everett
OVERVIEW
Feelings can be loud. One day you may feel close to God, and the next day you may feel distant. One day you may feel strong in your faith, and the next day you may wonder if you are failing. But Chad Everett taught from Galatians 3 that our identity as sons and daughters of God is not built on feelings. It is built on faith in Jesus Christ.
In this message, Chad explained that God is building a family, not just an organization people attend. Through faith in Jesus, we become sons and daughters of God. Like Abraham, who believed God and was counted righteous, we are made right with God by believing what He says.
This message challenges the pressure to perform spiritually, earn God’s love, or depend on emotional highs to feel close to Him. Obedience matters, but obedience does not make us sons and daughters. We obey because we have become sons and daughters through faith.
Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law and the pressure of trying to prove ourselves. Because of His blood, we can stop living by feelings, stop striving to earn what only grace can give, and believe what God says is true.
“Both our position as sons and daughters and our possession of the promises come through faith. Our righteousness is not based on what we feel or what we earn. Our righteousness is based on what we believe.” — Chad Everett
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Read → Respond → Reflect → Pray → Live It
Open your Bible and read the Scriptures carefully. Let God’s Word answer the questions before you answer from your own opinions or experiences.
As you work through this guide, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you, challenge you, and transform you. Take time to read, pray, reflect, and talk honestly with your parents, youth leaders, friends, or small group.
Don’t rush through the questions. Wrestle with them. God’s Word is meant to shape the way you think, live, worship, obey, and follow Jesus.
This guide isn’t just about learning the Bible. It’s about becoming more established in your identity as a son or daughter of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
SECTION 1 — GOD IS BUILDING A FAMILY
FOCUS
God’s heart for the church is family. He is not just gathering people who attend church; He is forming sons and daughters who belong to Him through faith.
READ
1 John 3:1, Ephesians 5:23, Galatians 3:6–9, John 3:3, John 8:32–44
RESPOND
- According to 1 John 3:1, what has the Father’s love made it possible for us to be called?
- What relationship does Ephesians 5:23 use to describe Christ and the church?
- In Galatians 3:6, what did Abraham do, and what was accounted to him?
- According to Galatians 3:7–9, who are the sons of Abraham, and who is blessed with believing Abraham?
- In John 3:3, what does Jesus say must happen for someone to see the kingdom of God?
- In John 8:32–44, why does Jesus challenge the religious leaders’ claim that Abraham is their father?
REFLECT
- Do you see church more like a family you belong to or a place you attend?
- Where are you tempted to treat church, youth group, or small group like something that exists to serve you?
- How would your attitude change if you saw yourself as part of a spiritual family you are called to strengthen?
- What does it mean for you personally to belong to God as His son or daughter through faith?
Further Scripture Reading
John 1:12–13, Romans 8:14–17, Ephesians 2:18–22
SECTION 2 — RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH
FOCUS
Righteousness is not based on what we feel or what we earn. Like Abraham, we are made righteous by believing God.
READ
Galatians 3:6–12, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38
RESPOND
- According to Galatians 3:6, how was righteousness accounted to Abraham?
- What does Galatians 3:8 say God would do for the Gentiles by faith?
- According to Galatians 3:9, who is blessed with believing Abraham?
- What does Galatians 3:10 say about those who are of the works of the law?
- According to Galatians 3:11, how shall the just live?
- What repeated phrase do Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, and Hebrews 10:38 also give about how the just live?
REFLECT
- What feelings most often try to tell you whether you are close to God or far from Him?
- Have you ever felt like God loved you more on your “good” days and less on your “bad” days?
- What does it look like to believe God’s Word even when your emotions are saying something different?
- Where do you need to choose faith over feelings this week?
Further Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 4:18–25, Hebrews 11:1–6
SECTION 3 — RECEIVING BY FAITH, NOT WORKS
FOCUS
Faith is not trying to convince God to move. Faith receives what God has already provided through Jesus Christ.
READ
Galatians 3:1–5, Galatians 3:13–14, 1 Peter 1:18–19
RESPOND
- In Galatians 3:2, what two ways does Paul contrast for receiving the Spirit?
- According to Galatians 3:3, how had the Galatians begun, and what were they being tempted to rely on?
- In Galatians 3:5, what two things does God supply and work among His people?
- According to Galatians 3:13, what has Christ redeemed us from?
- According to Galatians 3:14, what blessing and promise are made available in Christ Jesus?
- According to 1 Peter 1:18–19, what were believers not redeemed with, and what were they redeemed with?
REFLECT
- Do you ever feel like you have to pray better, worship harder, or act more spiritual to get God to respond?
- Where are you tempted to perform instead of receive from God by faith?
- How does the blood of Jesus change the way you approach God?
- What promise or truth from God do you need to receive by faith this week?
Further Scripture Reading
Ephesians 1:3–14, 2 Peter 1:2–4, Hebrews 11:6
SECTION 4 — REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE OF PERFORMANCE
FOCUS
Works of the law tries to become accepted through obedience. Faith receives sonship through Jesus, and obedience flows from that position.
READ
Galatians 3:10–14, Matthew 19:16–26, Hebrews 4:14–16
RESPOND
- According to Galatians 3:10, why are those who depend on the works of the law under a curse?
- What does Galatians 3:11 say is evident about being justified by the law in the sight of God?
- According to Galatians 3:13, what did Christ become for us?
- In Matthew 19:16–20, what question did the rich young ruler ask Jesus, and what did he say about the commandments?
- According to Matthew 19:21–22, what did Jesus tell the rich young ruler to do, and how did the man respond?
- According to Hebrews 4:14–16, why can believers come boldly to the throne of grace?
REFLECT
- Where do you feel pressure to prove yourself — to God, your parents, your friends, coaches, teachers, or yourself?
- Are you obeying God to earn His love, or are you obeying because you already belong to Him through Jesus?
- What does the rich young ruler’s story reveal about the difference between outward obedience and surrender of the heart?
- How can you come boldly to God this week instead of hiding, striving, or pretending?
Further Scripture Reading
Romans 3:21–26, Ephesians 2:8–10, Titus 3:4–7
SECTION 5 — SONS AND DAUGHTERS THROUGH FAITH
FOCUS
Sons and daughters are called to live by faith all the time, not by feelings, spiritual appearance, or Sunday-only expression.
READ
Galatians 3:22–26, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:1–2, Matthew 11:28–30, John 14:6
RESPOND
- According to Galatians 3:22 and Romans 3:23, what is true about all people, and to whom is the promise given?
- According to Galatians 3:24–25, what purpose did the law serve, and what changes after faith has come?
- According to Galatians 3:26, how do we become sons of God?
- According to 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 12:1–2, what changes in a person who is in Christ, and how are believers transformed?
- According to Matthew 11:28–30 and John 14:6, who does Jesus invite to come to Him, what does He promise, and why is He the only way to the Father?
REFLECT
- Is there a gap between who you are at church and who you are at school, at home, online, or with friends?
- Do you ever try to appear more spiritual than you really are?
- What would authentic faith look like in your everyday life?
- Where do you need to stop depending on feelings and start believing what God says?
Further Scripture Reading
James 1:22–25, Colossians 2:6–7, 1 John 3:18–24
THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE
Each day this week, read Galatians 3:26 and ask:
What am I feeling today?
What does God’s Word say is true?
How can I live by faith today?
Choose one action that follows God’s Word, even when your feelings say something different.
JOURNAL IT
- One feeling that has been trying to lead me:
- One truth from God’s Word I need to believe:
- One step I can take this week:
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
You are a son or daughter of God through faith in Jesus Christ, not because you feel like one, performed well enough, or earned it. Feelings change, but God’s Word does not. The truth of the gospel is built on Jesus, not your emotions. This week, ask yourself: Am I living by faith or by feelings? Am I trying to perform, or am I receiving what Jesus has done? What does God’s Word say is true, even when I do not feel it? Believe Jesus, believe His Word, and live by faith as His son or daughter.