A friend of mine tells the story of the time when he was on a train filled with other academy students, returning home for a term break. It was one of those trains where the carriages comprised individual compartments, called “dog boxes” in Australian parlance. Students, being students, were making the most of these dog … Continue reading –>
Sumakwel Laviña “Look,” I told my three teenagers, “we need to be united in our faith. We go to one church, and your new mom goes to another. But since you don’t like either church, then find a faith we all can follow.” It was a challenge, and I didn’t really expect them to meet … Continue reading –>
Stan: Can you believe it? We have fourteen Sabbaths this quarter!1 Pam: And one of the shortest books in the Bible. Stan: You’re right. I think that’s made a big difference in our study this quarter, don’t you? Pam: Sure. I think most of us have been blessed by studying the book of Galatians so intensely. … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Paul closes his letter to the Galatians with a strong appeal, clinging only to the cross as his reason for life. [Teaching plan for “Boasting in the Cross” December 28, 2011] 1. Have a volunteer read Galatians 6:11-13. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea … Continue reading –>
Paul bestows his blessing on those who, he says, “follow this rule” (Gal. 6:16, NIV, NRSV). Given the context, what “rule” do you think Paul is talking about? 1 The word translated “rule” literally refers to a straight rod or bar used by masons or carpenters for measuring. The word eventually took on a figurative meaning referring to the … Continue reading –>
Having emphasized the centrality of the Cross of Christ to the Christian life, Paul now emphasizes the second fundamental tenet of his gospel message: justification by faith.1 As we have seen all quarter, Paul has basically pitted circumcision against the gospel. Yet, he’s not against the practice itself. Paul has made several strong statements against … Continue reading –>
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world”(Gal. 6:14).1 Having exposed the motives that prompted some to insist on circumcision, Paul presents his gospel message to the Galatians one final time, though only in … Continue reading –>
Read Galatians 6:12, 13. What is Paul saying in these verses? 1 Although Paul has hinted previously about the agenda and motivation of his opponents (see Gal. 1:7, 4:17), his remarks in Galatians 6:12, 13 are the first explicit comments he makes about his opponents. He describes them as wanting “to make a good showing in the flesh” (ESV). The phrase “a good showing” in … Continue reading –>
Compare Paul’s closing remarks in Galatians 6:11–18 to the final remarks he makes in his other letters. In what way is the ending of Galatians similar to and different from them? (See the final remarks in Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians.) 1 Paul’s closing remarks are not always uniform, but a number of common elements appear in them: (1) greetings to specific individuals, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 6:11–18, Rom. 6:1–6, 12:1–8, 2 Cor. 4:10, 5:17, 11:23–29. Memory Text: “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14) This study on Galatians has been intense. That’s because the letter … Continue reading –>
