The power of God. The power of God is illustrated by three key words in Romans 1:16-17: gospel, righteousness, faith. What is the special meaning of these words as they relate to all new Christians in Paul’s day and today? 1) The gospel or the good _____; righteousness or being ________ with God; 3) faith … Continue reading –>
Memory Text “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). 1. A better covenant. Imagine standing between the Old and the New Testaments. Looking back on the Old Testament, where did all of those covenants and rituals point? Without changing your position, look to the New Testament … Continue reading –>
1. The Apostle Paul’s letter. What tragedy occurred in Galatia that urged Paul to hurry to Rome? What issues threatened the unity of Christian believers in Rome as it had in Galatia? Do you ever get the feeling that more than anything else, early Christians in the region we call the Holy Land needed strong … Continue reading –>
The only thing worth boasting about. Can you imagine a bit of a twinkle in Paul’s eye as he proclaims: “Far be it from me to boast except in the Lord Jesus Christ”? Indeed, is there anything worth boasting about except Christ Jesus our Savior? Doesn’t Jesus deserve every word of praise we can muster, … Continue reading –>
Let us do good to everyone. Was Paul grinning or was there a tear in his eyes when he wrote these words: “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” Galatians 5:15. Have you ever been attacked by a member of your church? Instead of that, have … Continue reading –>
Living by the Spirit. Did you notice the introduction’s account of how the words of the Christian hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Robert Robinson were changed? I was relieved to see that in the Adventist church hymnal the author’s words in the third stanza remain intact: “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, … Continue reading –>
Christ has set us free. This is a billboard by Paul, your lesson guide states. What was Paul’s urgent message in Galatians 5:1? Energized as he was to warn early believers not to give up their freedom in Christ, why did Paul believe so earnestly that they needed such a warning? Who would even think … Continue reading –>
The common view of law and grace. Many Christians accept only the New Testament as the basis for their belief in the gospel of Jesus. How do these Christians view the giving of the law on Mt. Sanai? What is wrong about this approach to salvation? The two covenants, your lesson declares, are not linked … Continue reading –>
The heart of Paul. In the nine verses starting with Galatians 4:12, why does Paul say at the end of his discourse, “I have doubts about you”? How could it be that the members of the early Christian church in Galatia have already lost their first love? Does the church you attend show the character … Continue reading –>
From slaves to heirs. Read the short description at the beginning of the lesson and consider how Martin Luther learned to understand Galatians and obtain from this book the hope he craved for his own soul. How can you and I obtain the same blessing from studying this book? Our condition in Christ. Once we … Continue reading –>
