Single lesson
Galatians 5: Freedom in Christ
Galatians 5:1–15
Galatians 5:1–15 teaches that Christ has made believers free, and this freedom is not a reason to please ourselves. In this lesson, children will hear Paul’s warning and learn that freedom in Christ is expressed through love.
Before you teach
In Galatians 5:1–15, Paul tells the believers to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given. He warns them against being persuaded to seek righteousness by law-keeping, and he also warns them not to misuse freedom. He points them instead to faith, the Spirit, and loving service toward one another.
Students will be able to explain that Galatians 5:1–15 teaches believers to stand firm in Christ’s freedom and to use that freedom to serve others in love.
Welcome: What is freedom for?
4 minAsk children what freedom can be used for in daily life. Then introduce Paul’s main point: Christ has made believers free, and that freedom has a purpose. It is not freedom to go back into bondage, and it is not freedom to serve selfish desires. It is freedom that should lead to loving service.
Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13
Read and explain: Standing firm in Christ’s freedom
8 minRead Galatians 5:1–6 aloud. Explain the hard words simply. In these verses, some people were treating circumcision and keeping the law as necessary to be justified, meaning to be counted right by the law. Paul says that path leads away from grace. Instead, believers wait by faith through the Spirit, and what counts is faith working through love.
Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:2, Galatians 5:3, Galatians 5:4, Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:6
Discuss: A serious warning about persuasion
6 minRead Galatians 5:7–11 aloud, then briefly explain that verse 12 shows Paul speaking very strongly against those who are troubling the believers. Point out what the troubling influence is in this passage: it is persuading believers away from standing firm in Christ’s freedom and toward seeking justification by the law. The yeast picture shows how a small persuasion can spread.
Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:4, Galatians 5:7, Galatians 5:8, Galatians 5:9, Galatians 5:10, Galatians 5:12
Make and respond: Freedom serves in love
8 minRead Galatians 5:13–15. Explain that freedom is not permission to use life for the flesh. Paul says believers should be servants to one another through love. He supports this with the command to love your neighbour as yourself. Then he warns that unloving behaviour can damage a group, using the strong picture of biting and devouring one another.
Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:14, Galatians 5:15
Closing: Choose a reminder from the passage
4 minInvite each child to choose one key verse or phrase from the passage, such as ‘Stand firm’, ‘faith working through love’, or ‘love your neighbor as yourself’. Ask them to name one action that matches the phrase. Finish by saying together that freedom in Christ is shown by standing firm and serving in love.
Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:14
Questions to explore
According to Galatians 5:1, what are believers told to do with the freedom Christ has given?
Look for the command in the verse and notice both parts: stand firm, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1
In Galatians 5:2–6, what does Paul say counts, and what does he warn against trusting in?
Compare the warning about circumcision and being a debtor to do the whole law with the statement that what counts is faith working through love.
Galatians 5:2, Galatians 5:3, Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:6
How should freedom be used according to Galatians 5:13–15?
Find the contrast between using freedom as an opportunity for the flesh and serving one another through love, then connect it with loving your neighbour as yourself.
Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:14, Galatians 5:15
Make, think or respond
Freedom Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or pens
- crayons or markers
- Bible
Try it together
- Read Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 5:13 and Galatians 5:14 together and let each child choose one verse or short phrase.
- Fold a small piece of paper or card and write the chosen words on the front.
- Inside the card, write or draw one simple way to serve or love a neighbour this week.
- Invite children to share their card with the group or a partner if they want to.
- Take the card home and place it somewhere visible as a reminder.
This activity helps children remember that in Galatians 5:1–15 freedom in Christ is connected with faith working through love and serving others.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two or three short phrases to choose from, such as ‘Stand firm’ or ‘Serve in love’, and let them draw a picture instead of writing a full response.
- For older or confident readers, ask them to explain how Galatians 5:6 connects with Galatians 5:13–14 before making their card.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: ‘Lord Jesus, thank you for the freedom you give. Please help us stand firm, trust you, and use our freedom to love and serve others. Amen.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Galatians 5
1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.
3 Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.
7 You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump.
10 I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.
12 I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.
13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.