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Galatians

Study & Application Questions

January 5^th, 2003

Sermon “ A Strong Rebuke for a Weak Faith”, Galatians 1-6, Paul Buckley

Observations

Read the whole letter to the Galatians out loud in one sitting (with others if possible.)
If you were a Galatian what would you be thinking after hearing this letter read to you in a Sunday meeting?
What are some common words used in the letter?
Are there any unusual words? Look them up in a dictionary.
What themes are repeated in Galatians?
What is the tone of the letter? Encouraging? Rebuking? Exhorting?
Can you do a outline of the letter? What is the flow of Paul’s thought in this letter? What are the issues he is apparently addressing?

Applications

What do we have in common with the Galatians?
Can you clearly and succinctly communicate the gospel? What are its essential elements? What had the Galatians added or taken away?
How does this letter help us avoid the twin pitfalls of legalism (seeking approval from God by our behavior) and licentiousness (thinking our behavior doesn’t matter)?
In what specific way is God calling you to change in your relationship with him (i.e. attitude or action) as a result of his word?
In what specific way is God calling you to change in your relationship with others as a result of his word here?
Share these two applications with someone else.
Choose one verse to memorize.

"The epistle to the Galatians is my epistle. To it I am as it were in wedlock. It is my Katherine."

Martin Luther, Table Talk

Study & Application Questions

January 12^th, 2003

Sermon “No Other Gospel”, Galatians 1:1-10, Paul Buckley

(Courtesy of Covenant Life Church)

1. WHY IS PAUL SO ALARMED AND CONCERNED AS HE WRITES THIS LETTER TO THE GALATIAN CHURCHES?

2. IN THREE SENTENCES OR LESS DEFINE THE GOSPEL.

3. WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY THE GOSPEL IS "OBJECTIVE”?

4. WHAT ARE YOU MORE AWARE OF: WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU THROUGH THE GOSPEL OR YOUR RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL?

5. HOW DOES THE OPENING OF GALATIANS DIFFER FROM THE OPENINGS OF PAUL’S OTHER LETTERS? WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT?

6. WHAT WERE THE GALATIANS BEING TEMPTED TO DO? WHY DOES PAUL EQUATE THIS WITH DESERTING GOD?

7. WHY IS THE PREACHING OF A “DIFFERENT GOSPEL” SUCH A SERIOUS MATTER?

8. HOW DO OUR ATTEMPTS TO ADD TO THE GOSPEL DETRACT FROM THE GLORY OF CHRIST?

9. IS THERE ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE – A PRACTICE, A FEELING, AN ATTITUDE, OR A WAY OF THINKING – THAT YOU THINK ADDS TO GOD’S ACCEPTANCE OF YOU? THAT YOU THINK DIMINISHES GOD’S ACCEPTANCE OF YOU?

10. WHAT ARE YOU MORE AWARE OF: WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU THROUGH THE GOSPEL OR YOUR RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL?

“The euangelio is pure indicative, its purpose is to proclaim saving events not to prescribe a pattern of conduct. To be sure, so there is no misunderstanding, the message of salvation calls for a certain kind of behavior, yes, to be sure, all of the gospels indicatives are veiled imperatives, still believers good works are the effects of the gospel rather than its basis or content.”

Knox Chamblin, Paul and the Self: Apostolic Teaching for Personal Wholeness, 26.

Study & Application Questions

January 19^th, 2003

Sermon “The Power of the Pure Gospel”, Galatians 1:11-24, Paul Buckley

(Courtesy of Covenant Life Church)

In what ways has the gospel transformed your life?
What is Paul’s purpose in relating his testimony in this text?
Why is it important that the gospel has a “divine origin”?
How can reflecting on the gospel generate a desire to share the gospel?
What things do you find yourself valuing more than the gospel?
How does Paul’s example enCourage you to build your life around the gospel?
What are your greatest hindrances to regularly telling others about God’s grace?
Consider who you might pray for and share with over the next few months.

“Formerly, all the elements in his [Paul's] life and thought were organized around the central focus of the law. When the revelation of Jesus Christ showed him in a flash the bankruptcy of the law, the law could no longer be the magnet which drew all those elements together in a well-defined pattern. With the removal of the magnet they would have been dispersed and disorganized, had the law no been immediately replaced at the centre by the risen Lord, around whom Paul’s life and thought were reorganized to form a new pattern.”

F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, p. 81

Study & Application Questions

February 9th, 2003

Sermon “Church Architecture 101”, Galatians 2:1-16, Paul Buckley

How has the study of Galatians shaped your understanding of the core of Christianity?
Can you communicate the gospel in a short paragraph? What are its essential ingredients?
Since the gospel is a story about God’s free grace does your behavior matter? Why?
Describe how understanding and applying the gospel has affected your relationships with others –i.e. spouse, siblings, church members, friends, co-workers.
What ways does legalism manifest in your life?
How have you grown in conquering legalism in your life as a result of these truths.
Can you identify with Peter in the passage? How has your fear of men caused you to deny the gospel? How can you change here?
Describe how your profession of trust in the gospel is contradicted by your actions? Is this hypocrisy? How can you change here?
What one application are you making as a result of this message?

“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

1 Cor. 3:11 (ESV)

Study & Application Questions

February 16th, 2003

Sermon “The Core of Galatians”, Galatians 2:15-21, Paul Buckley

Can you explain justification? Is this a legal or relational or covenantal transaction? Explain.
How can it be that you are “dead to the law” if you are a Christian?
Does this mean we don’t need the word of God and His good commandments?
How then are we to view the word of God, the OT commandments and the NT commandments?
What area of behavior do you most frequently use to evaluate your status or maturity? Is this biblical? What is biblical? How can you evaluate biblically?
What role does the Spirit of God play in growing in Christlikeness? What role does the word of God play?
In what ways are you tempted toward license? What is your motivation to avoid license?
What one application do you need to make as a result of the truths in this passage?

"I have been crucified with Christ. ²⁰ It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Gal. 2:19b,20 (ESV)

Study & Application Questions

February 23rd, 2003

Sermon “The Abrahamson Family Fortune”, Galatians 3:1-14, Paul Buckley

Questions:

What does it mean to live a life of faith in God? What does this look like in terms of justification and sanctification?
Can you share what it means that Jesus became a curse for us?
What does this passage teach us about the role of the Spirit in the believer’s life?
What aspect of the ministry of the Spirit do you understand least?
What ways can you measure your progress towards Christ-likeness?
What sins are you currently mortifying (killing) by the power of the Spirit?
How are you seeking the miraculous work of the Spirit?

“So Christ was made a curse. Wonderful and awful words, but as they are scriptural words, we must receive them.”

C.H. Spurgeon

Study & Application Questions

March 2nd, 2003

Sermon “Slaves, Schoolboys and Sons”, Galatians 3:15-4:7, Paul Buckley

Questions

Can you explain the role of the law for the believer?
What does it mean to be “in Christ”?
Contrast this with being “under law.”
What aspect of your union with Christ is especially encouraging to you?
Have you struggled with condemnation, alienation from God, frustration with your disobedience, discouragement or hypocrisy? Can you connect these struggles with being “under law” versus “in Christ”?
What is your Abba factor like? Do you experience a regular sense of your sonship in Christ?
Do others know your struggles? How are you receiving God's grace to grow in these areas?

"And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. "

Galatians 4:6,7 (ESV)

Study & Application Questions

March 9th, 2003

Sermon “Doing the Macarena, Jesus Style”, Galatians 4:8-20, Paul Buckley

Summary: The life lived by the law leads to misery, the life lived by grace leads to joy.

Questions

Can you explain what it is to be under law versus under grace or in Christ?
How does legalism rob you of joy?
What is your joy level presently? How might others rate you in this category?
Is there any legalism in your life that is robbing you of joy?
What are you most excited about currently? When times are tough what gives you strength or pleasure? Are you finding your satisfaction in Christ?
How can you get help in these areas? Do others know your struggles? What scriptures are you meditating on? What practices are you employing to help you in this?

Joy – The emotion evoked by well being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.

Websters Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary

Study & Application Questions

March 23rd, 2003

Sermon “Our God Rules”, Psalm 46, Paul Buckley

Summary: The God of all creation rules over all time and space, he is sovereign, and He is our God, therefore we need not fear!

Questions:

What are the key truths Psalm 46 teaches us about God?
How do these truths change the way we view the world?
In what ways does the media counter the truths of Psalm 46?
In what ways are you most tempted by the media’s portrayal of current events?
What are you most concerned about in the present conflict?
What is God most concerned about?
Pray accordingly.

“'Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!' The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Psalm 46:10,11 (ESV)

Study & Application Questions

May 11th, 2003

Sermon “A Matter of Life and Death”, Galatians 5:16-26, Paul Buckley

Can you explain why we use the phrase "the gospel of free grace?"
Why do we need to be aware of the temptation to License? How do we avoid this?
What works of the flesh have you been aware in your own life of late?
What fruits of the spirit do you find particularly attractive?
can you identify some fruits of the spirit in folks sitting near you right now?
What tempts you to no longer "crucify" the "flesh"?
Can you illustrate how you have experienced crucifying the flesh and keeping in step with the spirit?

"These two opposing natures will never cease to struggle so long as we are in this world. The battle of “Christian” with “Apollyon” lasted three hours, but the battle of Christian with himself lasted all the way from the Wicket Gate in the river Jordan. The enemy is so securely entrenched within us that he can never be driven out while we are in this body: but although we are closely beset, and often in sore conflict, we have an Almighty helper, even Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, who is ever with us, and who assures us that we shall eventually come off more than conquerors through him. With such assistance the new-born nature is more than a match for its foes."

Spurgeon, C. H. Morning and Evening : Daily Readings, June 2 AM.