SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY: SONS & DAUGHTERS – FAITH OVER FEELINGS
Message from Chad Everett
OVERVIEW
This week, we learned that God wants us to be part of His family.
God is not just looking for people to come to church. He wants sons and daughters who belong to Him through faith in Jesus.
Chad taught from Galatians 3 that Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous. That means Abraham was made right with God because he believed Him. We are also made right with God through faith in Jesus.
Sometimes we do not feel close to God. Sometimes we do not feel strong. Sometimes we may feel like we messed up too much. But our feelings do not tell us what is true. God’s Word tells us what is true.
We are not sons and daughters because we feel like it. We are not loved because we act perfectly. We are sons and daughters of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus redeemed us through His blood. That means He rescued us and made the way for us to come to the Father. Sons and daughters live by faith, not by feelings.
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE
Read About It → Talk About It → Think About It
Open your Bible and read the verses together.
Look for the answers in the Bible before talking about the questions. God’s Word has the answers!
As you work through this guide, ask Jesus to help you believe what He says more than what you feel.
You can use this study guide on your own with Jesus, with your family, or with friends.
📖 MEMORY VERSE
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:26
BIG WORDS
- Faith = believing and trusting God.
- Feelings = emotions we have, like happy, sad, scared, excited, or unsure.
- Righteous = being made right with God.
- Redeemed = rescued and bought back by Jesus.
- Son or Daughter of God = someone who belongs to God through faith in Jesus.
- Works = trying to earn something by what we do.
SECTION 1 — GOD IS BUILDING A FAMILY
BIG IDEA
God wants me to be part of His family through faith in Jesus.
READ ABOUT IT
1 John 3:1, Ephesians 5:23, Galatians 3:6–9, John 3:3, John 8:32–44
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to 1 John 3:1, what are we called because of the Father’s love?
- According to Ephesians 5:23, who is the head of the church?
- According to Galatians 3:6, what did Abraham do?
- According to Galatians 3:7–9, who are the children of Abraham?
- According to John 3:3, what did Jesus say must happen for someone to see the kingdom of God?
- In John 8:32–44, why did Jesus tell the people that having Abraham as their family member was not enough?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Do I know that God wants me in His family?
- Do I treat church like a family or just a place I go?
- How can I help and love God’s family this week?
Further Scripture Reading
John 1:12–13, Romans 8:14–17
SECTION 2 — RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH
BIG IDEA
I am made right with God by faith, not by feelings.
READ ABOUT IT
Galatians 3:6–12, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to Galatians 3:6, what happened when Abraham believed God?
- According to Galatians 3:8, how would God make the Gentiles right with Him?
- According to Galatians 3:9, who is blessed with Abraham?
- According to Galatians 3:10, what happens when people try to live by the works of the law?
- According to Galatians 3:11, how shall the just live?
- What same phrase do Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, and Hebrews 10:38 teach?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Do I sometimes let my feelings tell me what is true?
- What does God’s Word say is true about faith?
- How can I choose faith over feelings this week?
Further Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 4:20–22, Hebrews 11:6
SECTION 3 — RECEIVING BY FAITH, NOT WORKS
BIG IDEA
I do not have to work hard to make God love me. I receive from God by faith.
READ ABOUT IT
Galatians 3:1–5, Galatians 3:13–14, 1 Peter 1:18–19
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to Galatians 3:2, did the Galatians receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
- According to Galatians 3:3, did they begin by the Spirit or by their own strength?
- According to Galatians 3:5, who supplies the Spirit and works miracles?
- According to Galatians 3:13, what did Christ redeem us from?
- According to Galatians 3:14, what promise do we receive through faith?
- According to 1 Peter 1:18–19, what were we redeemed with?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Have I ever felt like I had to be perfect for God to love me?
- What has Jesus already done for me?
- What can I thank Jesus for today?
Further Scripture Reading
Ephesians 2:8–10, Hebrews 11:6
SECTION 4 — JESUS REDEEMED ME FROM PERFORMANCE
BIG IDEA
I do not obey God so I can become His child. I obey God because I am His child through faith in Jesus.
READ ABOUT IT
Galatians 3:10–14, Matthew 19:16–26, Hebrews 4:14–16
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to Galatians 3:10, why is trying to live by the works of the law a problem?
- According to Galatians 3:11, can anyone be made right with God by the law?
- According to Galatians 3:13, what did Christ become for us?
- In Matthew 19:16–20, what did the rich young ruler ask Jesus?
- In Matthew 19:21–22, what did Jesus tell the rich young ruler to do, and how did he respond?
- According to Hebrews 4:14–16, how can we come to God because of Jesus?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Do I ever try to prove that I am good enough?
- How does Jesus help me stop trying to earn God’s love?
- What is one way I can obey God this week because I love Him?
Further Scripture Reading
Romans 3:21–24, Titus 3:4–7
SECTION 5 — SONS AND DAUGHTERS THROUGH FAITH
BIG IDEA
I am a son or daughter of God through faith in Jesus, not because of how I feel.
READ ABOUT IT
Galatians 3:22–26, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:1–2, Matthew 11:28–30, John 14:6
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to Galatians 3:22 and Romans 3:23, what is true about all people, and who receives God’s promise?
- According to Galatians 3:24–25, why did God give the law, and what changed after faith came?
- According to Galatians 3:26, how do we become sons of God?
- According to 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 12:1–2, what does God do in people who are in Christ?
- According to Matthew 11:28–30 and John 14:6, who does Jesus invite to come to Him, what does He give, and why is He the way to the Father?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Do I believe what God says even when I do not feel it?
- Is there a place where I need to be real with God?
- How can I live like a son or daughter of God this week?
Further Scripture Reading
James 1:22, Colossians 2:6–7, 1 John 3:18
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
You are a son or daughter of God through faith in Jesus Christ, not because you feel like one or because you did everything perfectly. Feelings change, but God’s Word does not. Jesus loves you, died for you, redeemed you, and made the way for you to come to the Father.
✏️ ACTIVITY — FAITH OVER FEELINGS
Draw a heart and write: I am loved by God.
Draw a cross and write: I am God’s child through faith in Jesus.
Then write: 1) One feeling that makes faith hard. 2) One Bible truth I can believe instead.