INSIDE OUT BIBLE STUDIES

Transcription

1 Lesson 7 Galatians 5:13-24 Day One 1. Pray. Start this week s study with prayer. Pray that the Lord will increase your knowledge of His inerrant, unchanging, holy Word. Pray that as your understanding grows deeper, your heart will also be softened to faithfully obey the truths you are internalizing. God is faithful and these are prayers that will always be met with a yes and amen. 2. Complete the Identify and Investigate steps for Galatians 5: Read, mark, and list your findings on all repeated words and phrases you ve been noticing to this point. Note Be sure to include the word flesh as this section has much to teach us about the flesh. You should have noticed references to the Holy Spirit in Lesson One. If you missed those references, be sure to take note of them this time through. A T chart is included at the end of this lesson for your list on flesh and Holy Spirit/Spirit. Use this as a tool to see clear contrast of what Scripture teaches about these opposing desires. Also note Pay close attention to the plurality of the deeds of the flesh versus the singularity of the fruit of the Spirit. We will revisit this idea later this week. I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 1

2 Day Two 1. Pray. Begin your day with prayer. We have a detailed day ahead of us in your assignment. Ask the Lord to make plain the things He has for you to discover. Commit to Him to be diligent today and ask humbly for wisdom in your time before His Word. 2. Refer to your list of the deeds of the flesh on yesterday s T chart. In Galatians 5:19-21, how many deeds are listed? (You might find it helpful to number each one in the text right above the word as well as in the margin of your Bible.) 3. Let s take a closer look at each of these deeds of the flesh Paul references in Galatians. Use your lexical aids or online study tools to look up the definition for each named deed. Immorality Impurity Sensuality I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 2

3 Idolatry Sorcery Enmities Strife Jealousy I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 3

4 Outbursts of anger Disputes Dissentions Factions Envying I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 4

5 Drunkenness Carousing 4. The list of deeds of the flesh given in Galatians is certainly not exhaustive, as is evident by Paul s statement in verse 21, and things like these. However, this list gives us a thorough sampling of fleshly deeds from four main categories: sexual immorality, religious immorality, relationships with others, and sins of excess. Look over your definitions and note under which category each deed falls. I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 5

6 5. Read Galatians 5:21. In other lessons, we have learned the importance of understanding verb tenses, voices, and moods in the original Greek language. Let s look at Galatians 5:21 a little closer by considering these elements of two key phrases that follow the listing of the deeds of the flesh a. First, the phrase those who practice such things This phrase is in the present tense, active voice. Consider these terms: Present tense ongoing, habitual action, continuous action Active voice the subject produces (is the do-er of) the action in Galatians 5:21, the subject of this phrase is those [people] who practice the deeds of the flesh b. Secondly, the phrase will not inherit the kingdom of God This phrase is in the future tense, active voice, indicative mood. Consider these terms: Future tense continuous action in the future Active voice the subject produces (is the do-er of) the action we are still dealing with the same subject; those [people] who practice the deeds of the flesh Indicative mood statement of fact mood of certainty or reality c. Considering the information given about verb tenses, voices, and moods, re-read Galatians 5:21. What is this verse telling us? Great work, faithful student of the Word!! You have persevered in your assignment today. We ve covered much Scriptural ground. Take a moment and reflect on what you ve gleaned today. Thank the Lord for giving you a mind to consider the depths of the truths contained in His Word. He is so faithful to teach us when we approach Him with a teachable spirit! Bless His name in praise today. I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 6

7 Day Three 1. Pray. Begin your study time in prayer. 2. We will continue the Interpret step we began yesterday on Galatians 5:19-21 by observing some cross-references. Let s begin by looking at some other places Paul gives us a list of fleshly deeds. Look up the following references and note your findings as they relate to Galatians 5. Colossians 3:5-17 (do you notice some parallels to Galatians 5?) Ephesians 2: Let s look at some more directed examples from Paul s writings to compare against Galatians 5. As you look these up and note your findings, be on the lookout for a common theme. Romans 1:18-32 I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 7

8 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 5:2-5 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Do you see the common theme yet? If not, it s okay. You will by the end of the day s assignment. I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 8

9 4. Let s consult a few Old Testament references to shed even further light on this common theme. Genesis 19:1-26 Leviticus 18: One final reference this time we ll see what Jesus had to say concerning this topic. Mark 7:20-22 I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 9

10 6. Did you notice the theme? While this was certainly not an exhaustive list of cross-references on the subject of sexual sin, it give you a fair idea of the devastating effects it can have on both a person and a society. Consider William Barclay s definition of sensuality (listed in Galatians 5:19 with the deeds of the flesh), then answer the question that follows: Barclay described sensuality as a love of sin so reckless and so audacious that a man has ceased to care what God or man thinks of his actions. (W. Barclay, Flesh and Spirit: An Examination of Galatians 5:19-23, p. 31) Keeping in mind this definition and the cross-references you studied, how does this subject of sexual sin relate to the culture in which we live today? According to all you have studied in Scripture, how serious does God consider the presence of sexual sin in a person s life? How about the seriousness of it for a nation or society? Well done! You ve completed today s assignment. Although a very heavy subject, it is a needful one to study. Now that we ve covered the deeds of the flesh, we will move on tomorrow to the fruit of the Spirit. We still have much to glean from these twelve short verses in this week s focus passage. I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 10

11 Day Four 1. Pray. Remember last week s study on freedom? Aren t you thankful that, if you re a child of God, you have been set free from the yoke of slavery that is your flesh? Take a moment and thank the Lord for this freedom! Then ask Him to show you any weak areas when it comes to walking in the Spirit. Today, we turn our focus to the fruit of the Spirit. 2. In Galatians 5:22, did you notice how the word fruit is singular? Unlike the deeds of the flesh, these are not separate fruits, but rather one harmonious fruit that holds nine distinct characteristics. 3. Using your own lexical aids or an online word study, look up definitions for each of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit: Love Joy Peace I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 11

12 Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 12

13 Gentleness Self-control 4. As on Day Two, it is important to know and understand verb tenses, voices, and moods. Let s look at two critical tenses that will help us better understand the Spirit s fruit in the life of a believer. a. Galatians 5:22 tells us the fruit of the Spirit is... This phrase is in the present tense, active voice, indicative mood. Consider the following terms: Present tense ongoing, habitual action, continuous action Active voice the subject performs (is the do-er of) the action in this passage the Spirit is the subject Indicative mood statement of fact or reality mood of certainty I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 13

14 Day Five 1. Pray. You have a very profitable day of study ahead of you, friend. Spend a few moments before the Lord asking for clarity and wisdom to understand the truths you will discover today. 2. As we complete the Interpret step on Galatians 5:13-24, we will do a brief introduction to the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit in a believer s life. Consider the following cross-references in light of all we have learned in Galatians to this point. List what you discover about the Holy Spirit. The Promise of the Holy Spirit Ezekiel 36:26-27 John 14:15-31 John 16:7-15 I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 14

15 The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-13 Acts 2:37-42 Acts 10:34-48 Acts 13:48-52 Romans 8:9-11 I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 15

16 1 John 2:26-28 INSIDE OUT BIBLE STUDIES Note Compare this reference to John 14:26 WHAT is the anointing referred to in the 1 John passage? Overall, what have you learned about the Holy Spirit? Who receives the Holy Spirit? How does the Holy Spirit enter a believer s life? When do believers receive the Holy Spirit? Why are believers given the Holy Spirit, or to ask another way, what are some things the Holy Spirit does in the life of a believer? Please note We ll explore this last question even more in our final lesson next week, so if you don t yet have an answer, that s okay! Just give the most thorough answer you can right now based on your current understanding. Truth develops layer by layer. We re just adding one of the layers right now. 3. Now, let s Interpret some more about fruit. Let s learn what else the Lord has to say in His Word about this concept of fruit by briefly consulting a few cross-references. List what you learn about fruit in the following passages. Matthew 7:15-20 I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 16

17 Matthew 12:33-35 INSIDE OUT BIBLE STUDIES Luke 6:39-49 John 15:1-11 What did you learn about fruit? What does fruit demonstrate? Do all believers produce fruit? What kind of fruit should be produced by a believer who is indwelled by the Holy Spirit? That s it for this week, faithful student! We are so thankful for the hard work you have put forth this week! You have covered much theological ground in this lesson and we pray you have found it fruitful. Now that you understand these concepts better, it s time to GO! Go, and bear MUCH fruit! We ll meet you back here for our final lesson next week. I N S I D E O U T B I B L E S T U D I E S 17