Eleventh Week
Tuesday
August 21, 2012
(Gal 6:11 ESV) 11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
1. Why do you suppose Paul makes this comment here?
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(Gal 6:12 ESV) 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
2. Paul accuses the Judaizing teachers of wishing to avoid persecution. What sort of persecution might a teacher avoid by teaching circumcision?
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3. Do we ever shade or change our teaching to avoid persecution? Criticism?
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(Gal 6:13 ESV) 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
4. What does Paul mean when he says the false teachers “do not themselves keep the law”? Do they not even try? Or do they try and fail?
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Wednesday
August 22, 2012
(Gal 6:14 ESV) 14 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.
5. Why does Paul keep bringing up boasting?
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6. How do we boast in the cross? What does Paul mean?
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7. What does it mean to say “the world has been crucified to me”?
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8. What does it mean to say that I’ve been crucified “to the world”?
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9. We often speak of the cross in terms of our forgiveness, but Paul is now speaking of the cross in terms of how we live as Christians. How does the cross affect how we live?
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Thursday
August 23, 2012
(Gal 6:15 ESV) 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
10. “A new creation”? What does “creation” refer back to?
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11. What new creation is Paul speaking of? (2 Cor 5:17)
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(Gal 6:16 ESV) And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
12. What is the “rule” that Paul is referring to?
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(Gal 6:17 ESV) From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
13. What are the “marks of Jesus”? (2 Cor 11:23-30)
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(Gal 6:18 ESV) 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Friday
August 24, 2012
And so, in conclusion …
14. Let’s reflect a bit more on —
(Gal 5:6 ESV) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
(Gal 5:14 ESV) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Imagine that these passages really mean what they say. How would things change?
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15. Is there anything in Galatians that suggests that Paul wasn’t entirely serious about these passages?
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16. Let’s reflect a bit more on —
(Gal 2:15-16 NET) 15 We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, 16 yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Imagine that this passage really means what it says. How would things change?
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17. Is there anything in Galatians that suggests that Paul wasn’t entirely serious about this passage?
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Saturday
August 25, 2012
18. Let’s reflect a bit more on —
(Gal 5:2-4 NET) 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all! 3 And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace!
Imagine that these verses really mean what they say. How would things change?
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19. Is there anything in Galatians that suggests that Paul wasn’t entirely serious about these verses?
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