Print Sermon Study Guide YouVersion Notes
SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY: SONS & DAUGHTERS – FAITH OVER FEELINGS
Based on the message by Chad Everett
OVERVIEW
In this message from the Spiritual Authority: Sons & Daughters series, Chad Everett teaches from Galatians 3 on what it means to live by faith instead of feelings. God’s desire for the church is not simply an organization that people attend, but a family of sons and daughters who belong to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
Chad explains that faith is not trying to persuade God to do something. Faith is being persuaded by God that He has already provided what He promised. Like Abraham, who believed God and was counted righteous, believers are called to trust what God says above what they feel.
This message confronts the religious mindset that tries to earn sonship through obedience, performance, emotional expression, or spiritual effort. Obedience matters, but it flows from our position as sons and daughters; it does not create that position. Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law and the pressure of trying to perform our way into a relationship with God.
The Christian life is not built on emotional highs, spiritual hype, or personal performance. Sons and daughters live by faith in Jesus Christ. Whether we feel close or distant, strong or weak, worthy or unworthy, the truth remains the same: our righteousness is based on what we believe, not what we feel or earn.
“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 STUDY GUIDE
Read → Respond → Reflect
Open your Bible. Read the Scripture carefully. Let the Word answer the questions.
As you work through this guide, keep your Bible open and allow Scripture to shape your understanding. The goal is not simply to remember sermon points, but to become more established in your identity as a son or daughter of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
This guide is designed for individual study, family discipleship, and Roads Groups.
SECTION 1 — GOD IS BUILDING A FAMILY
Focus
God’s heart for the church is family. He is not merely gathering attenders; 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 I see the church more like a family I belong to or a place I attend?
- Where have I treated church more like a restaurant that serves me than a family I help strengthen?
- What does it mean for me personally to be a son or daughter of God 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
- Have I been allowing my feelings to determine whether I believe God loves me?
- Where do I need to choose faith over feelings this week?
- What truth from Scripture do I need to believe even when I do not feel it?
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
- Have I been trying to perform spiritually so God will respond to me?
- Do I believe God is willing and good before I feel it?
- What promise or provision of God do I need to receive by faith?
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
- Am I obeying God to become accepted, or am I obeying because I am already accepted in Christ?
- Where do I feel pressure to prove myself to God?
- How does the blood of Jesus free me from religious performance?
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?
- In 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 I am in church and who I am outside of church?
- Am I trying to appear spiritual, or am I learning to be authentic before God and others?
- Where do I 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
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
You are not a son or daughter of God because you feel like one. You are not accepted because you performed well enough. You are not righteous because you earned it. You are a son or daughter of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Feelings are real, but they are not the foundation of truth. Performance may look spiritual, but it cannot redeem you. Emotional expression can be genuine, but it cannot become the proof of your relationship with God. Jesus is the constant. His blood redeems. His righteousness is greater than your sin. His invitation remains open: come to Him and believe.