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These
outlines have been developed by various believers in the
Stark Rd Assembly for the midweek Bible study.
Outline
of Galatians
Overview
and Introduction to the Whole Letter
Author:
The Apostle Paul
Recipients: A number of churches in Galatia (modern
day Turkey) that Paul had seen planted.
Purpose of the letter: It
had come to Paul’s attention that false teachers had
infiltrated these churches and were leading them astray by
undermining Paul’s authority as an apostle, and teaching
that salvation by faith in Christ alone was not enough;
Grace must be complimented by keeping the Law (works). The
Galatian letter is a thesis on justification by faith.
Key Verses: 2:16&21, 3:10-14, 5:1
Outline of the book: (J.
Hunter’s)
Ch. 1&2 Historical The
Origins of the Gospel
Ch. 3&4 Doctrinal The Vindication of the Gospel
Ch. 5&6 Practical The Power of the Gospel
Alternate:
Personal: Paul Defends His
Authority (1-2)
Doctrinal: Paul Defends
Justification by Faith (3-4)
Practical: Paul Defends Christian
Freedom (5-6)
Outline
of Galatians 1
Introduction: v 1-5
Compare the opening salutation (first
verse or two) of Galatians with Paul’s other epistles.
What is unique about this one?
Condemnation of the False Teachers: v
6-10
Why is Paul so hard on these false
teachers? In some cases (1Tim 6:3-5 for example) Paul said
to avoid false teachers; Why the severity here?
Paul’s Defense of His Apostleship and
Message: v 11-2:21
He received the Gospel by direct
revelation. v 11-12
Paul’s Past v 13-14
Paul’s conversion v 15-16
Paul’s independent (of other apostles)
training v 17-24
Why the emphasis on not having much
contact with the other apostles?
Outline
of Galatians 2
1. How Paul's message was confirmed by
the council (verses 1-10)
Paul's message explained to the council,
1-2
Gentile freedom preserved at the
council: The case of Titus, 3-5
Paul's mission endorsed by the council,
6-10
1. Read Acts 15:1-29 and compare
what you find there with Galatians 2:1-10. In Acts
15, Luke gives a fuller account from an outsider's
perspective. In Galatians 2, Paul gives and insiders
view of what happened.
2. What is liberty? What liberty
do we have in Christ? What bondage were the false brethren
promoting?
3. If the Jerusalem leaders were
not the source of Paul's authority, why did Paul confer
with them?
4. Is "the right hand of
fellowship" from our brethren important when we do a
work for God?
2. How Paul upheld the truth of
the gospel at Antioch (verses 11-21)
The error of Peter, 11-14
Freedom through Jesus Christ, 15-21
1. False doctrine can be taught
in words. Can we also promote false doctrine by our
actions? Think of some examples.
2. Was Paul merely argumentative
in speaking to Peter the way he did? Would such
confrontation ever be necessary today?
3. Notice the prominence of the
word "justify." How are sinners justified?
4. We know the Holy Spirit
indwells believers (Romans 8:9). Here Paul teaches
that "Christ liveth in me." What does this
mean?
Outline
of Galatians 3
Consistent with the Personal Experience of
the Galatians (3:1-5).
"How did you receive the Spirit?"
What is difference between Paul calling
Galatians "foolish" (v.1) and a
person calling someone a "fool" as
in Mt. 5:22?
" Moros"
(Mt. 5:22, 7:26, 25:2) = one mentally deficient in a moral
sense. In Mt.5, Jesus shows link between murder &
murderous thoughts. Unrighteous anger contains the seeds
of murder. Abusive language ("Raca"
= "empty one") contains the spirit
of murder. Cursing language ("fool"
= a moral fool who ought to be dead and you wish it was
true) contains the desire to murder. "Anoetos"
(Gal. 3:1) = the actions of one who can think but fails to
use his powers of perception. It was not an insult against
their intelligence. It implies they had a brain but it
wasn’t engaged. Thus their thinking was irrational,
senseless, and contradictory.
What does it mean to be "perfect?"
(v. 3). How are we made "perfect?"
Not sinless perfection, but spiritual
maturity & holiness. Whole of the new life
(justification & sanctification) is by grace.
Why does Paul object to the "works
of the law?" Shouldn’t we keep the law?
The "works of the law"
was making law-keeping a way of salvation. There is only
one way of salvation.
Mosaic Law was made up of three parts:
Moral Law – Given in 10
Commandments – Righteous will of God (Ex. 20:1-6)
Ceremonial Law -- Governed worship
(Lev. 7:37-38, Heb. 9:1-7)
Civil Law – Governed justice
(Deut. 17:9-11; Acts 23:3; 24:6)
The Moral Law is still the holy standard
for conduct. All restated in NT except "Sabbath."
Lived through Spirit’s power.
Consistent with the Prototypical Example
of Abraham (3:6-9). Does
your experience agree with Scripture? "Abraham
believed God." Abraham is the prototype of
faith … everyone else following has been modeled after
him.
What does "accounted"
mean in v.6?
His faith was (imputed, credited,
reckoned, counted) to him for righteousness. Used in both
financial and legal settings.
It means to take something that belongs to
someone (i.e. God’s righteousness) & credit to
another’s account (Abraham’s).
A one-sided transaction. God credited His
righteousness to Abraham as if it were actually his.
What gospel was preached to Abraham? (v.
8)
"Scripture
(Gen. 12:3) foresaw that it would be by faith that God
would bring the Gentiles into a right relationship with
himself, and told the good news to Abraham before it
happened – In you shall all nations be blessed."
"The gospel was the message of
God at that time to Abraham, in which was inherent the
principle of justification by faith."
How do we know Abraham did not rely on
keeping the law?
The law did not exist at the time of
Abraham. The law actually came 645 years after the initial
promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:4), and 430 years after the
last confirmation to Jacob (Gen. 46:2-4).
Consistent with the Principles of
Scripture (3:10-12). Scripture
stipulated the conditions of living by the law. Scripture
spelled out the consequences ("Do & live,"
"fail & cursed"). Scripture supported the
necessity of faith.
What is the inevitable effect of the law?
If a man wants to please God by rules, he
has to play by the rules
He must continue in all things written in
the law. He must continually obey every law.
Blessing is conditional on obedience – "If
a man does, he shall live by them." (Lev.
18:5)
Curse of God is the consequence of one
disobedience
Impossible -- Track record: "As
many as are under the works of the law, are under the
curse." (v.10)
Inconsistent with Scripture – "It
is the man who is right with God by faith who will live."
(Hab. 2:4)
What does "The just shall live
by faith" mean?
" It
is the man who is right with God by faith who will live."
(Hab. 2:4) The only way to get into a right
relationship with God is the way of faith.
Why are law and faith mutually exclusive?
" Works"
(outgoing) & "hearing"
(incoming) and "law" & "faith"
are direct opposites (v. 2).
"Law-keeping" is a
work of the "flesh" whereas "faith"
is a work of the "Spirit" (v.3).
" The
law is not of faith" (v.12) – The law
calls for obedience ("You must do to live.").
This is incompatible with believing
(faith) to live.
An inheritance by definition is something
granted, not something earned (v.21)
Consistent with the Perfect Work of Christ
(3:13-14). "What
the law could not do… God did..." (Rom. 8:3)
What is redemption? How did Christ redeem
us?
Redemption = price paid to purchase from
slavery (sin) and from sentence (death). Christ paid the
price
("became a curse for us"
– "made to be sin for us" – "bore
our sins in His own body on the tree.")
Reckoning in the other direction – God
reckoned Him to be what He was not. Our sin was credited
to Him.
Christ’s work did not partly purchase us
… His finished and perfect work paid the price in full.
What two purposes did the work of Christ
achieve?
Gentiles would receive the blessing
(justification by faith) given to Abraham.
All would receive the Holy Spirit.
Consistent with the Permanent Nature of
the Covenant (3:15-18). Possible
objection: Since the law was introduced later, it must
either set aside the previous promise or at least add to
it. Permanently established.
What came first … faith or law?
The way of grace is older than the way of
law. When Abraham acted in faith, God made His great
promise to him.
The law did not come until the time of
Moses, 430 years later. God made a covenant with Abraham
& his seed, and nothing that came in later can change
the covenant (already ratified & signed).
What is the inheritance in v. 18?
God gave (in grace) the inheritance
(justification by faith) to Abraham on the principle of
promise
Consistent with the Proper Purpose of the
Law (3:19-25). The
Law & Promise both come from God, both are good, each
has a different role but together have the same goal
(Justification).
What is the primary purpose of the law?
To define sin as a transgression (show man
his sin)
To drive man to the grace of God
Temporary guardian to bring us to Christ
What is the relationship between the law
and the promise?
Different Nature
– An agreement founded on law involves 2 parties …
law-giver & law-keeper … and it depends on both
sides keeping it. A promise depends only on one person.
Way of grace depends entirely on God. Man can’t alter /
affect
Common Purpose – both play necessary
role in accomplishing the same ultimate outcome (your
salvation)
Role of the law – Pictured by Pedagogue
– trusted household servant who is in charge of the
minor child’s moral welfare. He would escort him to the
door of the school. His job to see that the child
successfully becomes a worthy adult son. His job ceased
when the child became a son. The son now doing voluntarily
what he used to do out of fear of the pedagogue.
"The law was our tutor to
bring us to Christ so that we might get into a right
relationship with God by means of faith."
How should we use the law in gospel
preaching?
As it was intended … show sinners their
sin and helplessness and cause them to be driven to
Christ.
The 10 basic rules, which reflect God’s
character, continue to be the means by which God exposes
man’s sin
(Rom. 7:7-14; Gal. 3:19-24; 5:13-26)
Consistent with the Present Position of
Believers (3:26-29). What
happens when "faith has come"
(v.25)? The
law could only condemn us, but faith in Christ changes us.
What are the three positional changes that
took place at salvation?
Believers become sons of God (v.26) –
They have become adult sons through faith. No more
pedagogue.
Believers are all one in Christ (v.28) –
No distinction (spiritual superiority) between any of the
members.
Believer’s are Abraham’s seed (v.29)
– Hence heirs of the promise
What does it mean to be "baptized
into Christ" and to "put on
Christ?"
" Baptized
into Christ."
= our union with Christ (secured by faith, symbolized by
baptism)
"Put on Christ."
= Positional ("Found in Him, not
having our own righteousness, which is from the law, but
that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness
which is from god by faith." Phil. 3:9). Christ’s
righteousness is imputed to us.
Practical ("Put on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh."
Rom. 13:14). Imitating & incorporating the
thoughts and behavior of Christ.
How does the lack of distinction here
between man and woman agree with 1Cor. 11:3 and 1Tim.
2:12?
Gal. 3:28 is positional and has to do with
our standing before God (no difference & no
distinction)
1Cor. 11:3 (Headship) & 1Tim. 2:12
(Silence of sisters) are practical and have to do with
service.
Outline of
Galatians 4
A.
Present Position of Believers in Christ (3:26-29)
What are the three positional results that
took place at salvation?
What does it mean to be "baptized
into Christ" and to "put on Christ"?
How does the lack of distinction here
between man and woman agree with 1 Cor. 11:3
and 1Tim
2:12?
B. Sonship of All Believers (4:1-7)
1) Preparation for Sonship (vs 1-3)
2) Realization of Sonship (vs 4-7)
In what ways did God move in
history to bring about the "fullness of time"?
How does the Spirit confirm our status as
sons?
What does it mean to be an "heir of
God"?
C. Paul's Concern for the Galatians (4:8-20)
What is wrong with observing
special days and seasons?
In what way did Paul become like the
Galatians?
How is Christ formed in us?
D. Two Covenants (Promise & Law) Illustrated in
Hagar and Sarah (4:21- 5:1)
How do Hagar & Ishmael
represent the Law?
How do Sarah & Issac represent salvation
by faith?
What does it mean to be "children of
promise"?
Outline of
Galatians 5
Liberty Vs Legalism
1. The losses of legalism (ver.1-12)
- Slavery (ver. 1)
Is my life complicated with rules, or
do I simply live Christ?
- Debt (ver. 2-6)
If Christ has made me free, how can I
be in debt?
- Loss of Direction (ver. 7-12)
Can I be influenced to take a spiritual
detour along the way?
2. The liberty in Christ
- Fulfill the law of love
The math equation of verse 13:
Liberty + Love = Service to others
Liberty - Love = Bondage to self/sin
- Overcome the Flesh (ver 16-21)
1. War
Who is fighting? Why is there a war
inside?
2. Works of the flesh (ver 19-21)
- Sensual sin
- Religious sin
- Social sin
What are the evidences of the
conflict?
C. Produce fruits of the
Spirit (ver. 22-26)
- Godward Fruit
- Manward Fruit
- Selfward Fruit
Have I have been set free from the
law?
If I obey the rules, will become a
more spiritual person?
Do I have the strength to obey and
improve myself?
Do I need someone to control my life
from within?
Am I a spiritual person?
Outline of
Galatians 6
Examples of the Fruit of the Spirit in
our Lives (vs1-10)
How many fruits of the spirit can you
find in this section? (hint-they are all there)
Vs 1-5 Burden Carrying, Dos and Don’ts
Others fall and so might we (1-3)
Focus is on our responsibility before
God (4-5)
What is a legitimate burden to help
others carry and what are we to carry ourselves? (note
that the words in vs 1 and 5 are different)
How do you know if you are spiritual as
in verse 1?
Why is there rejoicing in the work I
have done? Is that not selfishness and pride?
Vs 6-10 The Nature of the Seed Dictates
the Nature of the Harvest
Pay where you eat (6)
God knows the heart and rewards accordingly (7-8)
Endeavor to persevere (9-10)
What is meant by reap corruption and reap life
everlasting in verse 8?
What will we lose if we do faint in well doing?
Who are we to show the love of Christ to? Can you
think of the last time God presented an opportunity for
you? Did you miss it?
Contrast in Motivation for Paul’s
Doctrine and that of the False Teachers (vs11-18)
The Cross is the crux of the matter (11-14)
You are a new man old things have passed away (15)
There are marks of a true Christian (16-18)
Why was it such a big deal that Paul wrote this
letter himself?
How were the false teachers avoiding persecution?
Were they not still preaching Christ?
What is the new rule of verse 16?
Miscellaneous
Meekness - defined in the negative is the opposite of
self-assertiveness and self-interest, it is equanimity
of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply
because it is not occupied with self at all.
Psalms 126:6 – He that goeth forth and weepeth,
bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
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