Summarizing Galatians since we began

 

LESSON ONE: 

 LEAVING GRACE? 

Paul writes:  “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.” GALATIANS 1:6–7

Big Picture:  To avoid confrontation, we often accept someone else’s “truth” based on their stubborn insistence.  Don’t be afraid to pause to consider how “grace” sets Christianity apart from every religion in the WORLD.

Question:  Why do you think “grace” is so easily dismissed when considering our relationship to an Eternal God?

LESSON TWO

 DEFENDING THE GOSPEL 

Paul writes:  “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. . . . It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”   GALATIANS 1:11–12 NKJV

 Big Picture:  Paul reminds us that the Gospel, the story of an Invitation to Redemption didn’t come by any man.  It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.  (Note:  Paul’s previous life was full of murder and torture.  Guilt would easily have crippled him.  But God’s invitation to experience Grace dominated the story of the gospel).

Question:  Why do you think it’s important to grasp that this whole concept of ‘grace’ came from Jesus?

LESSON THREE

 RIGHT WITH GOD 

Paul emphasizes:  “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” GALATIANS 2:21

Big Picture:  LESSON THREE reminds us that any attempt at following a check list of goodness would only serve to exalt those who claimed success and defeat those who second-guessed their actions.  The Grace that Christ invites us to is the only true “absolute” to how to live righteous.

Story: Jumping the Grand Canyon

*The Law is the context for the powerful promise of grace given to us by God through Jesus Christ.  3:1-29

LESSON FOUR

 FAITH ALONE! 

Paul asks:  “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

 GALATIANS 3:2 NKJV

Big Picture:  LESSON FOUR reminds us of the power that comes through our faith in God - God’s power; God’s love; God’s forgiveness; God’s sovereignty.  And ultimately it is our acceptance of God’s gift and not our own works that will bring us right before God.  Just like Abraham, we are made right with God by FAITH alone.

Question to ask yourself:  Where are you struggling to find the faith to believe?

LESSON FIVE

 THE LAW AND THE PROMISE 

Paul writes:  “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us . . . so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”  GALATIANS 3:13–14

Big Picture:  Christ not only offered us a gift of grace, but also took our place by taking on the penalty of sin for all of us.

Question:  What causes us to reject such a gift?

LESSON SIX

 THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW 

Paul explains:  “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”  GALATIANS 3:24–25 NKJV

Big Picture:  Okay.  So now LESSON SIX answers an obvious question: If people are not saved by trying to follow God’s rules, what was the purpose of those rules in the first place?  Galatians 3:19 Why, then was the law given at all?  It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.  

Conclusion:  Through Jesus Christ we are given the gracious gift of becoming God’s children and heirs of his promises.  Galatians 4:1-31

LESSON SEVEN

 CHILDREN OF GOD 

Paul points out:  “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

 GALATIANS 4:7

Big Picture:  LESSON SEVEN works to relate that we are “heirs” with Jesus.  We now have the privileges and rights that come by being joint-heirs with Jesus ; no longer a slave but God’s child.  

Conclusion:  God is indeed building a family.

LESSON EIGHT

 BECOMING LIKE CHRIST 

Paul reflects:  “My infirmity which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. GALATIANS 4:14 NKJV

Big Picture:  LESSON EIGHT tries to teach us that the goal of the Christian life is not about gaining more knowledge, memorizing large chunks of the Bible or comprehending a boatload of theology.  It’s not about activity or a “to-do” list.  Christ’s ultimate desire for each of us is to make us like himself.  

Conclusion:  We are being transformed into the image of God’s Son.

Lucado, Max. Life Lessons from Galatians. HarperChristian Resources. Kindle Edition.

Does God Need our $$ ??

 

IF GOD DOESN’T NEED OUR MONEY, WHY DO WE EVEN BOTHER TO GIVE

God’s speaking “I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know Me.”

Hosea 6:6.  Living Bible

REFLECTION

Our God is not a weak, poor God who needs stuff. He made everything with a word. He has a limitless supply of resources. He has no needs; he’s never had one. And even if he did have one, he wouldn’t come to us with it! So why are we encouraged to include a concept of Giving and Generosity in our Spiritual growth?

SITUATION

To obey is better than sacrifice, and to love God and our neighbor better than all burnt-offerings. We are here warned not to rest in these performances. And let us beware of resting in any form. God demands the heart, and how can human inventions please him, when repentance, faith, and holiness are neglected? In the day of distress we must apply to the Lord by fervent prayer. Our troubles, though we see them coming from God's hand, must drive us to him, not drive us from him. We must acknowledge him in all our ways, depend upon his wisdom, power, and goodness, and refer ourselves wholly to him, and so give him glory. Thus must we keep up communion with God; meeting him with prayers under trials, and with praises in deliverances.

 (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Psalm 50:7-15 (The Voice)

“Listen, My people, I have something to say:
    O Israel, My testimony comes against you;
    I am God, your God.

8  I am not going to scold you because of your sacrifices;
    your burnt offerings are always before Me.

9 I will not accept the best bull from your fields
    or goats from your meadow,

10 For they are already Mine, just as the forest beast
    and the cattle grazing over a thousand hills are Mine.

11 Every bird flying over the mountains I know;
    every animal roaming over the fields belongs to Me.

12 I would not come to you if I were hungry,
    for the world and all it contains are Mine.

13 Do you really think I eat bull meat?
    Or drink goat’s blood?

14 Set out a sacrifice I can accept: your thankfulness.
    Be true to your word to the Most High.

15 When you are in trouble, call for Me.
    I will come and rescue you,
    and you will honor Me.”

EXPLORATION

1. What does it mean when God says He is not going to scold us for bringing our sacrifices to Him in verse 8?

2. But verse 9 seems to reverse that attitude (of not scolding us) when, in vs 9 He won’t accept the best bull or goats.  What’s the difference in attitude when we are sacrificing an offering as opposed to paying off someone for their favor?

3. What does the Psalmist mean when he writes that God (vs 12) says He would not even bother to come to us if He were hungry?

Scripture seems to remind us over and over: God does not need our money. Heartfelt Giving represents something else.  What does it represent?  See next:

1.    Eternal investment

1 Chronicles 17:1 New Century Version (NCV) When David moved into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a palace made of cedar, but the Ark of the Agreement with the LORD sits in a tent.” 

This Scripture begins to show us how David wanted to leverage his money for God’s eternal kingdom.  And God said that was a good thing.  Why?  Because David realized that what God was building on earth was more important than what David was building. David did not give to God because God was in need, but because he wanted to leverage his earthly resources for God’s eternal kingdom.

2. Offerings of gratefulness

David saw all that God had done for him and he wanted to give in response. When he went to set up the plot of land the temple would be built on, he insisted on buying it, even though the owner wanted to give it to David for free. David said, “I will not give unto the Lord my God that which cost me nothing” (2 Sam 24:24). David insisted on paying because he knew the issue was not providing a need (the field would be provided either way), but was the statement the gift made about David’s heart.

If David was grateful to God because of what he’d seen God do, how much more should we be grateful to God? David was blessed with a temple, but we have been blessed with Jesus, the true temple whose flesh was torn so that we could enter the presence of God.

4.  Does that not that do something to your heart? Do you not want to pour yourself out for God in gratitude?  Pause and reflect on your own gifts to God in the last year. (Time, offerings) Is there anything you can share about how you feel about God and about his worth to you?

3.    Obedience to God’s Spirit

David did with his money exactly what God instructed of him. This is an overlooked element in giving—the involvement of the Holy Spirit. When you look at a lot of the biblical stories about giving, you find statements like, “God stirred up so-and-so’s heart to give” (Exod 36, 2 Cor 9).  Giving is supposed to be a Spirit-thing, a Spirit-driven thing, in which the Spirit moves in your heart and you listen to him and obey as he directs.

From: J.D. Greear's article

https://jdgreear.com/if-god-doesnt-need-our-money-then-why-do-we-give/

CLICK ON THE ABOVE PICTURE TO PROCEED!

Easter discussion

 

https://www.crossway.org/articles/4-points-of-evidence-for-the-resurrection/

LESSON TWO - DEFENDING THE GOSPEL

From the Max Lucado commentary we're using.  This is the last week for posting our lesson.  Please order your personal copy by Lesson Three on March 5! Here is one source:   https://a.co/d/hWRMgG4

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. . . . It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. GALATIANS 1:11–12

REFLECTION

In one sense, life is all about our interaction with God. Some of us have run from him in the past. Others of us are finding our way back to him. What is your unique faith story?

[Your Response Here]

SITUATION 

Now that Paul has gotten his readers' attention with his opening remarks, he begins to set out the case for the true gospel of grace that he presented when he was with them. To do this, he will draw on examples from his past in Judaism and show how the process of how he went from being a fierce persecutor of the church to a set-apart minister to the Gentiles (non-Jews). Paul rehearses these particular incidents to show that he did not receive this gospel of grace from any person, but in truth, received it directly from God.

[Your Response Here]

OBSERVATION

Read Galatians 1:11-24

EXPLORATION

1. How does Paul describe the gospel that he preached to the Galatian believers?

[Your Response Here]

2. Why was Paul an unlikely candidate for becoming a Christian-much less God's appointed missionary to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:1-20)?

[Your Response Here]

3. Why does Paul make such a big deal about not getting advice or help from any person (or persons) after his conversion?

[Your Response Here]

4. What does Paul's testimony reveal about God's patience and mercy?

[Your Response Here]

5. When did Christ first become real to you more than just a name or an idea?

[Your Response Here]

6. Why do you think people get so fanatical about religion? How can you tell when zeal and passion have crossed over the line into fanaticism?

[Your Response Here]

INSPIRATION

Guilt sucks the life out of our souls. Grace restores it. The apostle Paul clung to this grace. To the same degree that he believed in God's sovereignty, he relied on God's mercy.

No one had more reason to feel the burden of guilt than Paul did. He had orchestrated the deaths of Christians. He was an ancient version of a terrorist, taking believers into custody and then spilling their blood. "Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison" (Acts 8:3).

In addition, he was a legalist to the core. Before he knew Christ, Paul had spent a lifetime trying to save himself. His salvation depended on his perfection, on his performance. "If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless" (Philippians 3:4- 6).

Paul had blood on his hands and religious diplomas on his wall. But then came the Damascus road moment. Jesus appeared. Once Paul saw Jesus, he couldn't see anymore. He couldn't see value in his résumé anymore. He couldn't see merit in his merits or worth in his good works anymore. He couldn't see reasons to boast about anything he had done anymore. And he couldn't see any option except to spend the rest of his life talking less about himself and more about Jesus. (From Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado.)

REACTION

7. What situations in your own life are proof that God doesn't give up on his children?

[Your Response Here]

8. What features of the Christian faith indicate it obviously wasn't fabricated by humans?

[Your Response Here]

9. How zealous are you? If you've lost your passion for Christ, how can you get it back?

[Your Response Here]

10. Scholars believe Paul spent his time in Arabia in study, reflecting, and preparing for the message he would share. How do you find time for reflection amid your busy life?

[Your Response Here]

11. Paul emphasizes how his experience with God was direct and not mediated through other people. How much of your knowledge of God is based on first-person experience?

[Your Response Here]

12. Paul's conversion resulted in a dramatic transformation that had every- one buzzing. What have been the most significant changes in your life since you met Christ?

[Your Response Here]

LIFE LESSONS 

It's often said, "The Lord works in mysterious ways." How true. Start with the gospel of grace. Are we to believe God offers enemies of the gospel unconditional pardon and adoption into his family? Or that heaven's most glorious riches are lavished on the least deserving? It all reads like a fairy tale. And it gets even wilder. God announces his intention to partner with the likes of us so others can experience his love and grace. He could use angels or employ supernatural means, but instead he uses us. And what do we do? Mostly, we stumble and fall and fail. Yet the Lord never gives up on us and never aborts his plan. He works in us, and through us, despite us. The villains become the heroes. What a mystery! What a miracle! What a God we serve!

DEVOTION

Father, you amaze us. Thank you for the beauty and power of the gospel that you have given to us. We open our hearts to you today and invite you to work through us. Transform us. Make our lives a continual tribute to your goodness and grace.

JOURNALING

How do you react when you consider the type of grace that God is offering to you today?

Lesson One Second half

INSPIRATION

What is the work God wants us to do? Pray more? Give more? Study? Travel? Memorize the Torah? What is the work he wants?

Sly is this scheme of Satan. Rather than lead us away from grace, he causes us to question grace or to earn it... and in the end we never even know it.

What is it, then, that God wants us to do? What is the work he seeks? Just be- lieve. Believe the one he sent. "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:29).

Someone is reading this and shaking his or her head and asking, "Are you saying it is possible to go to heaven with no good works?" The answer is no. Good works are a requirement. Someone else is reading and asking, "Are you saying it is possible to go to heaven without good character?" My answer again is no. Good character is also required. In order to enter heaven, one must have good works and good character.

But, alas, there is the problem. You have neither.

Oh, you've done some nice things in your life. But you do not have enough good works to go to heaven regardless of your sacrifice. No matter how noble your gifts, they are not enough to get you into heaven.

Nor do you have enough character to go to heaven. Please don't be offended. (Then again, be offended, if necessary.) You're probably a very decent person. But decency isn't enough. Those who see God are not the decent; they are the holy. "Without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

You may be decent. You may pay taxes and kiss your kids and sleep with a clean conscience. But apart from Christ you aren't holy. So how can you go to heaven?

Only believe.

Accept the work already done, the work of Jesus on the cross. Only believe...

It's that simple? It's that simple. It's that easy? There was nothing easy at all about it. The cross was heavy, the blood was real, and the price was extravagant. It would have bankrupted you or me, so Jesus paid it for us. Call it simple. Call it a gift. But don't call it easy.

Call it what it is. Call it grace. A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado.)

REACTION

7. Why do you think it is so hard for people to grasp the concept of grace?

[Your Response Here]

8. What are some things (other than Christ) that Christians tend to rely on to try to establish their approval in God's sight?

[Your Response Here]

9. How would you answer the person who read this passage and said, "I don't get why Paul is so upset over a few theological semantics?"

[Your Response Here]

10. When you look at your church, do any trends "astonish" you or cause you to "marvel" (in a negative sense)?

[Your Response Here]

11. Is the gospel message you share with others marked by radical and riskysounding grace? Why or why not?

[Your Response Here]

12. How will you respond the next time you hear someone share a distorted version of the gospel?

[Your Response Here]

LIFE LESSONS

Grace is what sets Christianity apart from every religion in the world. God offers his unearnable salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life not as a reward but as a free gift. Nothing-absolutely noth- ing-is required on our part except to believe. There is no fine print and no strings attached. When we trust in what Christ has done and rely solely on his promises, all the treasures of heaven are ours. It doesn't matter how miserably we've failed in the past. It's irrelevant how messed up our lives are right now. Grace is true and certain no matter what we might do or fail to do in the future. It sounds too good to be true... but that, in a nutshell, is the simple gospel. The only question is this: Have you received Christ's remarkable gift?

[Your Response Here]

DEVOTION

Father, thank you for the gospel. We could never earn your favor, but we can be recipients of your grace. We can enjoy all your blessings simply by trusting in Christ as our all-sufficient Savior. Help us to live this message. Help us to show it by our lives and share it with our lips.

JOURNALING

When were you first struck by the "free" nature of the gospel-that faith, not works, is the doorway to peace with God?

[Your Response Here]

FOR FURTHER READING

To complete the book of Galatians dur- ing this twelve-part study, read Gala- tians 1:1-10. For more Bible passages on the gospel of grace, read Acts 15:6-21; Romans 3:21-24; 1 Corinthi- ans 15:1-11; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Titus 3:4-7.

Galatians Lesson One for Split Squad

Here's the first half of the first lesson as we look at Galatians... From the Max Lucado commentary we're using. Please order your personal copy soon! Here one source:

https://a.co/d/hWRMgG4

  Next half of the lesson is on January 15.

Introduction of Galatians by Bible Project

https://youtu.be/vmx4UjRFp0M

LESSON ONE 

LEAVING GRACE?

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all."

GALATIANS 1:6-7

REFLECTION

Most people do not enjoy confrontation. Few go through life looking to pick a fight. And yet, conflict is an unavoidable fact of life. What is your typical course of action when you find you have to speak hard truths to a friend, neighbor, or colleague?

[Your Response Here]

SITUATION

During Paul's first missionary journey, he and Barnabas planted a number of churches in the Roman province of Galatia. It was a successful trip, but upon his return, he learned that other teachers had arrived in the region and were preaching a different gospel-one based on salvation through works and adhering to Jewish laws and customs. Paul was troubled to hear that many people in the churches he had founded were being easily swayed by this idea that salvation was not through grace alone. In response, Paul forgoes his words of "thanksgiving and praise" for the believers so common in his letters and gets straight to the heart of his con- cerns.

OBSERVATION

Read Galatians 1:1-10 from the New International Version or the New King James Version.

EXPLORATION

1. The first sentences of Paul's letter to the Galatians have an abrupt and somber feel. Why do you think Paul chose to open in this manner?

[Your Response Here]

2. Paul begins by presenting his "credentials" as an apostle. Why do you think he felt the need to do this? When is such an action valid or invalid?

[Your Response Here]

3. What reason does Paul give for being "astonished" (verse 6)?

[Your Response Here]

4. Why is the "new gospel" the Galatians are embracing not good news?

[Your Response Here]

5. The word "curse" Paul uses in verses 8 and 9 means "eternally condemned." What does this suggest about tinkering with the gospel or altering Christ's message?

[Your Response Here]

6. What is the "simple gospel" (see also 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)?

[Your Response Here]