Introduction to Galatians

Transcription

1 Introduction to Galatians The book of Galatians is the handbook of Christian freedom. Whether we are fleeing from oppression, being released from prison or simply breaking an ingrained habit, freedom offers life. What a wonderful thing it is to know that the past is behind us forgotten and new life and options are open for us. The book of Galatians proclaims the reality of our liberty in Christ. We are offered freedom from the law and the power of sin and the freedom to follow and serve the living Lord. However, with all Paul s emphasis on Christian freedom, Paul is fully aware of the danger of these converts turning liberty into license. Most early converts were Jewish Christians who struggled with a dual identity. On the one hand their Jewishness constrained them to be strict followers of the law, but their new found faith in Christ invited them to a holy liberty. They wondered how Gentiles could be part of the kingdom of heaven. The Judaizers, an extremist Jewish faction within the church, taught that Gentile Christians had to submit to Jewish laws and traditions in addition to believing in Christ. Paul as a missionary to the Gentiles had to refute these Judaizers and confront the issue on many occasions. Galatians was written to refute Judaizers and to show that the Gospel is for all people Jew and Gentile alike. Paul emphasizes that salvation is by God s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and nothing else. Faith in Christ means true freedom. Galatians is the cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation and the Magna Charta of Christian Liberty. Jesus Christ is the one who saves. We cannot save ourselves through righteous actions. Our only hope of salvation is in Jesus. It also explains the place of the law and its relationship to God s grace. Paul also clearly shows the purpose and effect of God s law on searching hearts. At this period in history the true Gospel of faith in Jesus Christ for complete salvation/justification was in danger of being overthrown by a false Gospel of salvation through works. What occurred in Paul s day has reoccurred through the ages even up to our own day. The book of Galatians tells us not what man can do for God, but rather what God has done for man. Galatians is often referred to as Luther s Book because Martin Luther relied so strongly on this letter in his writings and arguments against the prevailing theology of his day.

2 Galatians Background Author: Date: Reason: Theme: Key Verse: Written to: Paul under attack; his apostleship and the source of his message are questioned. It is impossible for a man to possess such a vivid personality and a strong character like Paul and not encounter opposition. It is also impossible for a man to lead such a revolution in religious thought as Paul did and not be attacked. Anywhere between 48-49, 51 & 53 AD, or as late as 57. Either from Ephesus (just before the mob scene of Acts 19), Syrian Antioch or Corinth. To counteract the teachings of the fanatical Judaizers (Jewish Christians lawmerit) who believed Old Testament ceremonial practices (especially circumcision) were needed in addition to New Testament teachings of baptism and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. They argued that Paul was not an authentic apostle and he wanted to make life and messages more appealing to Gentiles. (He had to remove the legal requirements of the Jewish faith.) If Paul s opponents had had their way the gospel might have been kept for Jews, dependant on circumcision and keeping the law, instead of being a thing of grace. Man is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and sanctified by responsive obedience that comes from faith in God s work for him, in him and through him by the grace and power of Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is the Magna Charta of Christian Liberty. It is the book that gave birth to the Reformation. Ch. 2:16 A man is not justified by the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. The people of southern Galatia (Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Antioch.) (Because Barnabas was not with him on the Acts 16:6 journey, his reference to him would be unexplainable if written to the people in northern Galatia.) He had already visited them four times when he wrote to them. Key Words: Liberty In Christ we are delivered from the law flesh bondage faith God s promise Not what man could do for God but what God had done for man. Law vs. Gospel. Example: Abraham who was the founder of their nation gained God s favor not by law for it was given 430 years after Abraham was born - but rather he gained it by an act of faith. Abraham trusted everything to God. Therefore the true Israel is not a matter of lineage but it is one who makes the same surrender of faith to God. Outline: Ch. 1-2 Paul s authentic Gospel and apostolic authority [Personal] Authority: (How do we know who or what to believe?) Ch. 3-4 Justification is by faith in Christ alone [Doctrinal] Salvation: (How can we get right with God?) Ch. 5-6 Application of justification by faith to daily life [Practical] Holiness: (How can we control the sinful desires of our fallen nature and live a life of righteousness and love?)

3 Read Verses 1-10 Chapter 1 1. After reading these verses compare them to the opening in Paul s other letters. (See Rom. 1:8f; I Cor. 1:4-f; II Cor.1:3f; Eph. 1:3f;, Phil. 1:3f; Col. 1:3f, I Thes. 1:2f and II Thes. 1:3f. What is missing? 2. What does that suggest to you? 3. Briefly review Acts chapter 14 & 15. What problem was Paul dealing with right from the beginning? 4. A. According to the first verse what other attack was leveled against Paul? B. What is Paul s response? 5. The word apostle refers to a select group. What made them unique? (See Rom.1:1; I Cor. 9:1, 15:8 and Acts 1:21-22) Note: Apostle was not a general word which could be applied to every Christian like the words believer saint or brother. It was a special word reserved for the Twelve and for one or two whom the risen Lord had personally appointed. There can therefore be no apostolic succession - they were unique. For this reason it is appropriate that we get in the habit of calling Paul apostle Paul rather than Saint Paul since all Christians are saints. 6. Why do you think it was so important that Paul assert and defend his apostleship? 7. What act of Christ is responsible for our salvation? 3

4 8. From what did Christ rescue us and explain what that means. 9. How do you show gratitude to Christ for his rescue of you? Note: What the apostle has done in these introductory verses is to trace three stages of divine action for man s salvation. Stage 1 is the death of Christ for our sins and to rescue us out of this present evil age. Stage 2 is the appointment of Paul as an apostle to bear witness to Christ who died and rose again. Stage 3 is the gift to us who believe of the grace and peace which Christ won and Paul witnessed to. Each stage is indispensable. There could be no Christian experience today without the unique work of Christ on the cross, uniquely witnessed to by the apostles. Christianity is both a historical and an experimental religion. One of its chief glories is the marriage between history and experience, between the past and the present. From: The Message of Galatians by John Stott 10. A. From your Bible footnotes, who was throwing these people into confusion? Tell what you know about them. B. Of what does Paul accuse the Galatians? 11. How did this differ from the Gospel Paul was preaching? 12. Who and what causes the greatest trouble for the church? Verse? 13. Can you think of any such distortions of the gospel taught in some churches of our day? 4

5 14. Why do you think Paul used such strong, drastic language in condemnation of the Galatians? 15. What other criticism is suggested by Paul s response in verse 10? Is this a possible pitfall for ministers today? Read vv What question must have been in the minds of the Galatians which Paul answers in this section? 17. How does Paul answer? (See also Eph. 3:2-6) 18. How does Paul validate his claim? 19. Why would these facts be convincing to anyone? 20. When has your zeal for rules or traditions influenced or misguided you? Or others? 21. To get a fuller picture of Paul, what did his activities include? Acts 7:59-8:1 = Acts 8:3 = Acts 9:1 = Acts 26:9-11= 5

6 22. Who and what was responsible for the dramatic change in Paul? 23. For what purpose did God choose Paul? 24. Do you think God has a purpose for every individual life and do we all fulfill that purpose? 25. Where did Paul go first and what purpose could have been behind that choice? 26. Have you ever gone through such a period? Why is time alone with God important and how much time do you spend alone with Him each week? 27. Review Acts 9: Describe events, the atmosphere and what Paul was experiencing on his first visit back to Jerusalem after his conversion. (3 years later: 18) 28. How does this section convince you of the truth of Paul s assertion in verses 11 and 12? Read vv What further evidence does Paul give to show that he was not unduly influenced by the apostles or others? 30. What did Paul s restricted contacts with other Christians at the beginning of his Christian life accomplish? 6

7 31. Given his reputation, how might Paul have expected the Christians to receive him? 32. Paul had a direct revelation from God. What can you use to exercise discernment and wisdom in whom you allow to influence you spiritually? 33. What do you think impressed people most about Paul at this time? 34. What evidence proves the truth of Paul s words? Give verse. 35. Think of someone who has undergone a big change. How can you tell whether it s a change brought about by God or is the result of human error or sin? 36. A. What are the biggest changes which knowing Christ has brought about in your life? B. What change would you still like the Lord to bring about in your life? 7

8 Chapter 2 Read vv and Acts 15: What was one of the basic reasons for God s sending of Paul to Jerusalem? 2. What was the significance of Paul s two companions? 3. What significance do you see in Paul s private approach to the leaders? 4. What aspects of the gospel sometimes seem contradictory to you even if intellectually you know they are consistent? 5. What is significant about the Jerusalem apostles response to Titus. 6. What was of fundamental importance that was at stake here? Give verse. 7. According to the Acts passage what stirred up the controversy? 8. How was the controversy resolved? (Acts 15:6-21) 9. A. Read Matthew 13: How does this parable relate to Pauls problem? 8

9 B. What verse in the Galatians passage indicates the Judaizers were not true believers? C. What principle and warning does this give to the church? 10. What did the apostles in Jerusalem have to be convinced of in order to accept Paul s preaching? 11. What distinction do the other apostles see in Paul s ministry? 12. On what basis did the disciples accept Paul s ministry; what persuaded them? (Give verse) 13. What distorted version of the gospel have you heard? 14. What characteristics of Paul are evident in his handling of this situation? 15. How would you answer someone who says that the gospel needs updating or revision to meet changing needs in changing times? 16. How does knowing there is only one gospel, the apostolic faith, help you to accept Christian groups whose style, music or different emphasis bother you? 17. Which verses show confirmation and verification of Paul s ministry? 9

10 Read vv Note: In the early church the whole congregation came together to enjoy a common meal provided by pooling whatever resources they had, much like our pot luck dinner of today. In a special way it marked the fellowship, the togetherness of Christians. This practice created a tremendous problem in Antioch. Could Jews with their strict separation from Gentiles actually now sit down with them at a common meal? When Peter first came to Antioch he forgot the taboos in the glory of the new faith and shared the common meal with Jew and Gentile alike. But when the Jewish party, associates of James a strict Jew came, they worked on Peter so much that he withdrew from the common meal. It was then that Paul spoke with all the intensity of which his passionate nature was capable. 18. Describe the situation that concerned Paul. 19. In the light of the previous meeting with Peter in Jerusalem, why would Paul have been especially incensed at Peter s behavior in Antioch? 20. A. What was Peter s root problem? (Give verse) B. Where and when had that same problem caused Peter to falter? C. What repeated sin of yours has been a pitfall? D. Why should Peter not have been unstable on this issue? (See Acts 10 & 11 also) 21. What did Peter have to fear from the circumcision group? 22. Why do small pressure groups in the church arouse such fear in the majority and even in the leadership? 10

11 23. What made this issue worth the danger of a public confrontation with Peter? Note: Paul s opposition to Peter was just the kind of open, head on collision which the church would seek at any price to avoid today. Paul is determined to defend and uphold the gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ) at all costs, even at the expense of humiliating a brother apostle. 24. In some Christian-fellowship believers hestitate to confront each other, and in others they confront each other too quickly. What are the spiritual dangers of each approach? 25. What is admirable about Paul s action? 26. What other danger was involved in Peter s action? (Give verse) 27. If observing Jewish law can t justify us, why obey the Ten Commandments? Read vv A. What word appears twice in verse 16 which is the principal article of all Christian doctrine? B. Define what it means. C. By what word is it expressed in verse 21? (In NIV) 11

12 Note: There are at least two basic things which we know for certain. The first is that God is righteous; the second is that we are not. And if we put these two truths together, they explain our human predicament, of which our conscience and experience have already told us, namely that something is wrong between us and God. Instead of harmony, there is friction. We are under the judgement, the sentence of God...This being so the most urgent question facing us, How then can man be righteous before God? His answer to this question is in this paragraph. First he expounds the doctrine of justification through faith (verses 15,16). Then he argues it (verses 17-21) dealing with the commonest objection to it and demonstrating the utter impossibility of any alternative. His exposition takes the form of a contrast between the Judaizers doctrine of justification by works of the law and the apostles doctrine of justification through faith. He repudiates the former and enforces the latter. From: The Message of Galatians by John R. Stott 29. In verse 17, the critics argue against Paul, that the gospel of God s grace would bring down the accusation that Christ promotes sin? What did they mean? 30. How does Paul refute that argument? (Give verse) 31. What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? 32. What does it mean to you in actual experience to have Christ living in you? 33. In Paul s argument against his critics (:21) why would Christ have died for nothing if righteousness could be gained through keeping the law? 34. What did Paul and Martin Luther have in common that make this teaching so precious to them? 35. Why is this issue of salvation through faith in Christ so important today? 36. Why would God accept you into His heaven? 12

13 Chapter 3 Read vv Would the Galatians have had any training and opportunity to observe God s laws as given by Moses? 2. Many artists portray Christ as teaching, walking on water, welcoming children or praying in Gethsemane. Why would Paul choose to focus on portraying Christ as crucified? 3. Do you think it is possible for Christians to imitate the Galatians and fall into the error of relying on their own efforts? Why does that happen? Note: The gospel isn t good advice, but good news about Christ. It s not an invitation to do anything but a declaration of what God has done. To add good works to the work of Christ is an offense and insult to His finished work on the cross. 4. Why was Paul s allusion to Abraham a master stroke? 5. What do we have in common with Abraham? 6. Read Gen. 12:3 with Gal. 3:2-11. What blessings promised to Abraham are also ours? (Give verse) 13

14 7. A. Read Heb. 11:1f. What is the definition of faith? B. According to the examples in this chapter of Hebrews what does faith involve? Read vv Note: This chapter is fundamental to an understanding of biblical Christianity. For it concerns the central issue of religion which is how to come into a right relationship with God. This is described in two ways. First, it is called being justified before God which is the exact opposite of being condemned by Him. The second description of a person who finds God is that he shall live or he shall gain life. The life referred to being eternal not physical life. The question is how can one enter this fellowship and gain the favor of God and live. These verses give us the answer plainly and unequivocally. There are two alternatives which men have given to this question. One is false and the other true. 8. Curse and cursed are used five times in this passage. What justifies Paul s use of such language? 9. Why are those who rely on observing the law under a curse? (See James 2:10 and Deut. 27:26) 10. Since the whole problem of human life is to get into a right relationship with God, how is this accomplished? 11. How does the Old Testament say this? (Hab. 2:4) 12. What are some differences between law and faith? 13. In your own words, what does it mean to live by faith? 14. What are some obstacles to living by faith? 14

15 15. When have you mistakenly or subtly fallen into trying to please God by your own efforts? 16. Though the gift of faith is free to us, what does Paul remind us was the cost to Christ? (Give verse) 17. What does redeem mean? 18. What motivates you to do the good things for the Lord that you do? Read vv Note: The Greek word in verses 15 and 17 is translated covenant, but it was in common use in Paul s day for a will or final testament. 19. Why is a will an appropriate metaphor for the point Paul is making? 20. How is Christ foreshadowed in God s promise to Abraham? 21. A. How was Abraham saved? B. How do modern-day Christians still participate in the promise made to Abraham? C. How are you related to Abraham and can claim access to his inheritance? 22. Why must I choose between relying on the law or relying on the promise? 23. When was the law given in relation to Abraham? 15

16 24. If God s law cannot save us, why did God give it to us? (Give verse) 25. List as many differences as you can between the two principles: The promise (grace) to Abraham The law given to Moses 26. How does the law lead us to Christ? 27. How do we resist the tutor which is trying to lead us to Christ? 28. How did God s law lead you to Christ? 29. What is the limitation of the law? 30. What tremendous change has taken place in those who believe in Christ? 31. What difference does it make for you to see yourself as God s child? 16

17 32. How does seeing other Christians as His children make a difference to you? 33. When have such barriers been broken down giving you a feeling of kinship with another, perhaps unlikely believer? 34. A. What qualifies us to be sons of God? (Give verse) B. What word is repeated 5 times in verses that gives us a clue as to the means of this union with God? Read vv. 1-7 Chapter 4 17

18 Note: In Jewish, Greek and Roman life the process of growing up was much more definite then it is with us. At a certain age (between 14 & 17 for Romans, at age 18 for Greeks and age 12 for Jews) there was a definite ceremony at which time a boy was designated as a man to show that he had entered into the liberty, freedom and responsibility of manhood. As a child he might in reality be the owner of a vast estate by promise, but not yet in experience. He could make no legal decisions, nor was he in control of his own life. Everything he did was under the direction of a legal parent or guardian, so for all practical purposes he had no more freedom than if he was a slave. 1. What key images and contrast is being used to illustrate the difference between being under law or being heirs of the promise made to Abraham? 2. List the difference between the way a slave on an estate and the child of the estate owner would relate to the master (owner)? (Think of conversations, physical bearing, attitude toward the estate and how time in each other s presence is spent.) Slave Child 3. How does this parallel your relationship with God as His child? 4. What are the basic principles of the world (verse 3) which can hold some in slavery? 5. How did Jesus coming change our situation? 6. A. Why does a child need constant surveillance and discipline? B. Apply that principle to our spiritual growth. 18

19 7. How does the fact that you are God s son/daughter affect your life? Read vv In what way are all unbelievers slaves? 9. In what verse does Paul correct himself and why is that so important? 10. What had the Galatians reverted to in their faith life? 11. A. On what things do we sometimes mistakenly depend rather than on faith in the finished work of Christ? B. What is the inherent danger in ritualistic observances? Read vv In what sense did Paul want the Galatians to become like him? 13. What was the contrast between how the Galatians had originally received Paul and how they now regarded him? Why the change? 19

20 14. A. What did the return to legalism deprive the Galatians of? B. By contrast scan the first 40 verses of Psalm 119. What was the author s attitude toward God s law? C. What accounts for the contrast? 15. When is zeal a good or bad thing? good bad 16. A. What was Paul s goal in ministry? (Give verse) B. Explain what that means in your own words. 17. A. What kind of work or pain is involved in trying to help Christ be formed in another that Paul would use the vivid metaphor of the pains of childbirth? B. When have you experienced anything like this? 20

21 Read vv and Gen. 16 and 21: A. List some rules and regulations which Christians imagine will make them acceptable to God. B. Why do these laws have such persistent appeal? 19. List all the examples of symbolism and contrast you note in this passage. 20. What two things does this story illustrate or symbolize? 21. Explain the different origin of the two sons and how this relates symbolically to our spiritual life? 22. A. How does the persecution of Isaac by Ishmael illustrate the struggle of our old and new life in Christ? B. Explain what is symbolized by :30 that says, Get rid of the slave woman and her son. 21

22 C. How is this described in Eph. 4:22 and Gal. 5:24? D. Is that sometimes a painful process as it was for Abraham to send Ishmael away? E. How would the elimination of Ishmael help Isaac s growth development? Apply that spiritually to our old and new life. 23. How does the history of Abraham s two sons illustrate the supremacy of promise over law? 24. Why does conflict persists between followers of the old and new covenant? Note: An understanding of the Bible is impossible without an understanding of the two covenants. Our Bible is divided in half, into the Old and New Testaments, meaning the Old and New Covenants. A covenant is a solemn agreement between God and human beings by which He makes them His people and promises to be their God. God established the old covenant through Moses and the new covenant through Christ whose blood ratified it. The old (Mosaic) covenant was based on law, in it God laid the responsibility on people and said, Thou shalt...thou shalt not... But the new (Christian) covenant is based on promise; in the promise God keeps the responsibility himself and says, I will...i will... from: Experiencing the Grace of Christ by John Stott 25. A. What is the destiny of those born in the ordinary way? (not born spiritually in Christ) Give verse. 22

23 B. How would this apply to the Galatians and the situation they are in? 26. What is the destiny of those who believe God s promises rather than depending on law? 27. A. How do you usually respond to legalism? B. Which seems easier, to live by law or by the guidance of the spirit? Chapter 5 23

24 Read vv Read verses 1-6. What is Paul s great concern in these verses? 2. Why did Christ come? 3. Describe what Christian freedom is and is not. 4. What does Stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery mean? 5. In what way would Christ be of no value? (:2) 6. What does the phrase, fallen away from grace mean? (:4) 7. What is necessary to be counted righteous by God? 8. Are the way of grace and law mutually exclusive? Explain. 24

25 9. How does Paul s tone change in verses 5 and 6? 10. Explain the meaning of faith expressing itself through love. 11. Since faith expresses itself through love, evaluate your faith according to your actions and thoughts this week. 12. What is your faith founded on - why would God accept you into His holy presence? 13. What is the significance of the yeast in the dough? 14. Why is Paul being persecuted? 15. List the three things lost when one abandons grace for law. :1 = :2-6 = :7-12 = 16. What does Paul mean by his harsh words in verse 12? Read vv Note: Paul had a characteristically practical mind and always ends a letter on a practical note. 25

26 To Paul a theology was not of the slightest use unless it could be lived out in the world....that is to say, after the flights of thought can he reduce all this to something the ordinary man can understand and do? from: The letter to the Galatians by William Barclay 17. A. What practical warning does Paul give concerning daily living? B. In what way could license creep into our spiritual freedom? 18. What two obligations has God laid on us along with the Christian freedom He gives us? (See also Mark 12:28-31) How could freedom degenerate to Christians attacking one another? (:15) 20. Why is love your neighbor as yourself an appropriate summary of God s law? 21. What motivates you in the loving acts you perform for others? Is our motivation always pure? Read vv What unique conflict does every Christian face? 23. How does Paul describe this conflict in Rom. 7:7-19? 26

27 24. What is the solution to this problem? Explain. 25. What does it mean to live by the Spirit? Gal. 5:25 = Rom. 8:5 = Rom. 8:6-9 = Rom. 8:13 = Gal. 2:20 = Gal. 5:24 = Rom. 6:11-14 = Gal. 5:16 = Rom. 8:4 = 26. How do you interpret the difference between living by the Spirit (:16) and being led by the Spirit (:18)? 27. What hope does verse 16 offer a believer? 27

28 28. Does the believer have a choice as to which nature we will follow? Why? 29. How does this principle apply to anyone entrapped in a besetting sin? (Including alcohol, drug abuse, homosexuality, adultery, pornography etc.) See John 8: Read Rom. 8:1-17. Summarize the life of freedom made possible to the Christian and how we gain the victory. 31. Read Gal. 5: What is the root of the contrast between the two ways of living described here? 32. In the warning in verse 21 those who live like this the Greek verb refers to habitual practice rather than an isolated lapse. Why is the distinction important? 33. Prayerfully consider the list of sins of the flesh. (:19-21) 34. What is the consequence of continuous habitual indulgence in the work of the flesh? (See also Gal. 6:7) 35. Consider the character qualities called, the fruit of the Spirit (:22) What is significant about the fact that they are called fruit in contrast with acts of the sinful nature? 36. Why is crucifixion (:24) an apt description of what must happen to the sinful nature? 37. List the virtues available to all who are in Christ and tell what each one means. 28

29 38. Which of the fruit of the Spirit have you sensed in yourself or been told that others see in you? 39. Which of the fruit of the Spirit do you chronically lack? 40. Do you think these virtues come naturally to us or as a result of prayer practice and power of the Spirit? Note: if we were left to ourselves, we could not do what we would; instead, we would succumb to the desires of our old nature. But if we live by the Spirit then we shall not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. We shall still experience them, but we shall not indulge them. On the contrary, we shall bear the fruit of the Spirit. from: Experiencing the Grace of Christ by John Stott 29

30 Chapter 6 Read vv What positive and negative commands did Paul give the Galatians? positive negative 2. What atmosphere and attitude toward the sinner do you detect here? 3. What two inherent dangers to those who are spiritual are mentioned here? (Give verse) 4. What is Paul s recipe for avoiding deceit? 5. A. Is it better to ignore the sins of other Christians? (Give verse) B. Observing someone who is caught in a sin requires confrontation. What are we to do? Who is to do it? How should it be done? C. Is this an easy thing to do? 6. How would you describe a person who is spiritual in a Christian sense? 7. What temptations accompany seeing another Christian sin? 30

31 8. What dangers are inherent in comparing ourselves with others? 9. A. Notice the contrast between verses 2 and 5. What are some examples of burdens Christians can carry for each other? B. What sort of burdens should not be shared? 10. Which of the fruits of the Spirit from Gal. 5:22-23 is Paul calling on the Galatians and us to exercise? 11. What burden of your own do you need to share? 12. Whose burdens can you help to carry today? Read vv According to Phil. 4:14-19 what could all good things (:6) include? 14. What various contrasts does Paul draw in this passage? 15. Since the topic of these verses is reaping and sowing, what do you think God cannot be mocked and A man reaps what he sows means? 31

32 16. What sort of things are sown? (Verse 8) 17. What are some examples of both bad and good reaping? 18. Why do you think Paul inserted the phrase, Do not become weary in well doing here? 19. To which nature do you most often yield? Read vv What significance do you see in the phrase large letters and written with my own hand? 21. How does Paul describe the Judaizers? 22. What were the Judaizers trying to teach? 23. What was Paul s great emphasis? 24. Why would the Judaizers press the issue of circumcision? (Give verse) 32

33 25. A. What is the fallacy in depending on circumcision? (Give verse) B. On what outward things can we mistakenly depend rather than on the person and finished work of Christ? 26. What has the cross of Christ accomplished for you? 27. Of what does Paul speak when he says, What counts is a new creation? 28. In what way is the world crucified to you? 29. After the intensity of Paul s admonition, what three things does he want the Galatians to focus on? 30. Why is grace such an appropriate thought with which to end this particular letter? 31. What words or thoughts from the book of Galatians has had the greatest impact on you? 32. Why do you think this book was so significant to Martin Luther and the Reformation? 33

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