Previous Week s Scripture Readings: Gal. 1-6 Summary The proclamation of the Gospel is a proclamation of Good News. And everything that makes the Good News good depends on grace. To a confused and disillusioned world, freedom s calling us to set captives free by announcing the purity and power of the Gospel. Paul doesn t hide his fury at the infiltration of legalism into the Galatian church. Drawing upon an ancient image from Genesis, the apostle presents an allegory about the conflict of Abraham s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. When God s promise of a son tarried, Abraham and Sarah decided to bring in their maidservant, Hagar, as a surrogate mother. The child she bore, Ishmael, symbolized the product of human effort. When God brought forth the promised miracle, the birth of Isaac, the son of the slave woman mocked the son of promise. Law hates grace. In her frustration, Sarah finally urged Abraham to get rid of the slave woman and her son. Getting rid of the slave woman, means getting rid of every form of legalism so that the power of the Gospel can be released. In our second week of missions emphasis, we focus on the power of Gospel proclamation to set the captives free. Getting to Know Each Other 1. In 1-2 sentences, who did God use to tell you about Jesus when you became a Christ-follower? What can be learned from their ministry to you? Getting Into the Bible Read Gal. 4:21-31 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband. 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman. 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. Background See under Application
1. Use these questions to further explore our main passage, Gal 4:21-31 a. Our passage is full of How would you summarize the main teaching of Gal. 4:21-31? In other words, what s the point of all the contrasts? Application b. Word clouds can be a powerful visual tool. They are a handful of important words arranged in different shapes, sizes or fonts even going in different directions. They reinforce key themes as a teaching tool. If you were going to make a word cloud from Gal. 4:21-31 what words would you choose? In your mind, which word(s) should stand out the most and why? c. The contrast between the present Jerusalem and the Jerusalem above is crucial to understanding this passage. How can these definitions help you? i. Present Jerusalem: The literal, earthly city in Palestine, which Paul uses to represent the pharisaic Judaism of his day. He s referring to a system of self-salvation. ii. Jerusalem Above: God s dwelling in heaven where we have access now through Jesus and will live forever in the next life (Heb. 12:22-24). 1. Today s sermon contained an exhortation and assurance. Do you have any sense how the Lord is leading you with 1 or both in mind? How might your group be able to help you? i. Exhortation: Get rid of the slave woman ii. Assurance: You are an heir, not a salve. 2. Lloyd Ogilvie offers 3 distinct ways of living: i. Humanism: Doing my will by my power. ii. Empty Religion: Doing God s will by my power. iii. Abundant Christian Life: Doing God s will by God s power. What does the journey deeper into category #iii look like for you? 3. Reflect on this quote about the centrality of gospel proclamation in the mission of the local church. How do these words challenge and encourage you? we need to make sure that the main thing always remains the main thing, and the main thing is to preach the gospel the leading edge of Christ-centered ministry to a needy community is always the preaching of the gospel If we want to see people s lives transformed including our own we need to give people the gospel. The renewal of the church and the reformation of society come through preaching the cross and the empty tomb. 1 1 Ryken, Phillip Graham. Luke, Volume I: Chapters 1-12. Reformed Expository Commentary. Philipsburg: P&R. 2009. Pg. 176.
Background Like Jesus, Paul was at his most direct when confronting religious legalism (any system of human effort based on law, designed to earn God s favor). Such is the case with his letter to the Galatians. For instance, in most letters Paul includes a thanksgiving section where he rejoices in the Lord for His work in the readers. Not here; instead Paul goes straight from his grace greeting directly into his astonishment over the state of affairs in the church at Galatia. What would warrant such intensity and apostolic sobriety? The Galatians were tampering with the fundamental truth of the gospel. As a result they were at risk of stripping it of good news entirely. The historical situation at Galatia was this the church was tempted to add the Old Testament sign of God s covenant (circumcision) to their faith in Christ as assurance of their acceptance. On the surface it may seem innocent enough, even ancient and sophisticated. But Paul s bold contention was that if we add anything as a necessary human contribution to the finished work of Christ then we have stripped the gospel of its power and excellence. We may not be tempted toward circumcision to prove our place with God, but our sinful flesh loves the prospect of being the hero and receiving recognition. Paul s urgent appeal to walk by the Spirit instead of the flesh has just as much relevance for us as those first century believers in Galatia. Will we trust in ourselves and our ability to keep the law? Or will we boast in Jesus and His new creation? Additional Study 1. Consider what may be a familiar story from Luke 15 as an example of the Older vs. Younger Brother theme from the Bible. 2 How do you see the principles of our Galatians text on display (promise/freedom vs. law/bondage)? How might this passage be a mirror for your own soul and the way God receives you in Jesus Christ? Read Luke 15:11-32 11 And he said, There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate. 2 Other examples: Cain vs. Abel; Ishmael vs. Isaac; Esau vs. Jacob; Older brothers vs. Joseph
25 Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound. 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him! 31 And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. 3. Consider this prophetic passage from Isaiah how can you trace the same themes of God s favor, provision and promise through this text? Isaiah 51:1-8 Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2 Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him. 3 For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. 4 Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. 5 My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed. 7 Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. 8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool,
but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations. Taking it Home This section is designed for you to have Scripture readings for up to 5 days/week until the next time your group meets. For each reading we suggest you use this format to invite God to work in and through you by His Word and Spirit 1. Read the day s Scripture, asking the Holy Spirit what He wants to show you and what action He wants you to take. 2. Take action on what the Lord says in and through His Word. 3. Share it with someone else. 4. Be prepared to share some of the highlights with your group at your next gathering Reading #1: Lev. 19 Reading #2: Lev. 20 Reading #3: Lev. 21 Reading #4: Lev. 22, 23 Reading #5: Lev. 24, 25