Galatians Part 2
Connection
This letter is Paul exploding at the credulity of born-again Christians being duped into going back into the prison house of Judaism’s legal chains. That is why he explains the basic differences and the wonder of the salvation freedom of Christ.
Input
The root issue is, “How do self-centred people get right with God”. (The word ‘justified’ covers this).
Galatians Chapter 3 verses 1 to 5-Check your experience of Christ in whom you put your trust. Did you achieve that freedom and power by keeping the rules?
Galatians Chapter 3 verses 6 to 9-It was Abraham’s faith, not his deeds, that made him a child of God.
Galatians Chapter 3 verses 10 to 14-The Limitations of Law.
Galatians Chapter 3 verses 15 to 25-Trusting the one who promises (follow the Rabbinic style of Paul’s training in his argument).
Galatians Chapter 3 verse 26 to Chapter 4 verse 11-The difference between Sons and Slaves.
Galatians Chapter 4 verses 12 to 20-The pain of being a parent!
Galatians Chapter 4 verses 21 to 31-Family inheritance.
Question – Could you put Paul’s (rather complicated) answer into your own words?
Output
Living the Christian Life (Chapters 5 to 6)-Christian freedom is not the
freedom to do as you like, but as Jesus likes.
Chapter 5 verses 1 to 12.-This freedom is given freely (Grace = Free Gift) and not earned by good behaviour.
Chapter 5 verses 13 to 26.-This freedom is a spiritual power line. Compare our human nature with the fruits of the spirit.
Question – How do we keep in step with the spirit?
The evidence of the spirit is seen in the way Christians live and treat others.
Chapter 6 verses 1 to 10.
Paul’s passionate final appeal.-Chapter 6 verses 11 to 18, which gives the crux of the argument.
Question – It may not be circumcision which detracts us from Christian spiritual freedom, but what does?

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Optional Reading for Next Session read Ephesians, Chapters 1 to 2.

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