A Course in
Christian Freedom
Galatians
5:13-26
Book
of Galatians
Written:
A.D. 47-55
What was happening in the
world during that time?
·
Buddhism begins to spread from India into
Central Asia
·
Claudius' expulsion of the Jews from Rome
·
Romans learn the use of soap from the Gauls.
·
Ananias, a high priest in Jerusalem, is sent to
Rome after being accused of violence
·
Saint Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of
Jesus, is believed to have landed in Kodungallur, India to preach the Gospel
Why
written: To combat circumcision and keeping of the Law of Moses
Written
to: Christians in Galatia
Theme:
A protest against legalism with a focus
on the justification of faith
Key
text: 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm,
then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatia
Named Galatia for the Gauls. They were originally Celtic
tribes. Galatia became part of the Roman Empire in 25 BC.
Could be written to Galatia proper or the whole province
including Antioch, Iconium, Derbe and Lystra. The capital was Ancyra, which is
now Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The peoples of Galatia were described as
fickle and easily influenced.
Concept #1 Liberty is
not license (Galatians 5:13-18)
1. Since
we have been called to be free, what do the terms “Christian liberty” or “Christian
freedom” mean?
a. When
we have freedom to choose, we become responsible for the consequences of our
choices.
b. We
have been freed from the penalty of sin, but not free to do anything we want.
2. Where
and how is such liberty or freedom to be found?
3. How
do we live by the Spirit?
4. Considering
the background of the book of Galatians, why is it important for Christian
study today?
What do you do when others “cut in on you” (in line,
traffic, when speaking)? Could anyone ever accuse you of “road rage”?
Concept #2 The Works
of the Flesh Spring from the Sinful Nature (Galatians 5:19-21)
1. Into
what four categories do the acts of the sinful nature fall?
a. Sexual
immorality
b. Religious
sins
c. Sins
that create chaos in our relationships
d. Sins
in the realm of drink
2. What
exactly are the acts of the sinful nature?
a. Is
this list inclusive?
b. What
is debauchery?
i.
Immorality is any kind of sexual irregularity
ii.
Impurity is the abuse of sex, but also applies to
other forms of evil that can spread its influence
iii.
Debauchery is sexual sin committed without any
shame or fear and without any regard for the rights and feelings of others
iv.
Idolatry is any substitute for the true God
v.
Witchcraft is the use of drugs in sorcery
vi.
Hatred is hostile feelings or acts
vii.
Discord is a spirit of quarrelsomeness
viii.
Jealousy is a feeling of resentment because of
the success of another
ix.
Rage is an angry spasm for no rational reason
x.
Dissensions are divisions caused by pitting
person against person or group
xi.
Factions are the formation of smaller groups or
cliques within large groups ( the Greek word from which we get our word,
heresy)
xii.
Envy is a feeling of discontented or resentful
longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck
3. Paul
has warned the Galatians more than once. What was his warning?
a. Those
that live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
b. We
have liberty or freedom, but Paul says that does not mean we are free to practice
the acts of the sinful nature.
4. How
does Paul navigate between the dangers of legalism and license?
5. Paul
says we are no longer under law, but also that we are to fulfill the law. What
is the difference between the two?
6. How
have you seen Christian freedom abused?
Concept #3 The Fruit
of the Spirit are Unitary, not Fragmentary like the works of the Flesh.
(Galatians 5:19-26)
1. What
does concept #3 mean?
a. Notice
that there are the acts of
the sinful nature and the fruit
of the Spirit.
b. One
is plural (acts), the other singular (fruit).
2. Can
the fruit of the Spirit be categorized? How?
a. Love,
joy, peace addresses our attitude toward God
b. Patience,
kindness, goodness describes what should be our attitude toward other people
c. Faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control refers to personal qualities
3. What
does Paul mean by the term “crucified” in verse 24?
a. Where
else in Galatians has he referred to the word, “crucified”?
i.
2:20 I am crucified with Christ and I no longer
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
ii.
6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of
our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I
to the world.
b. This
crucifixion is something done BY us
not TO us
c. The
tradition is that Peter was crucified upside down and that Paul was beheaded because
Paul was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:28), and Roman citizens were
normally exempt from crucifixion.
d. Illustrate
practically what it means to “crucify” the sinful nature.
4. How
do we keep in step with the Spirit?
a. Keep
in step means to march in line with, or follow another’s footsteps or example
5. How
has this study influenced your approach to Christian liberty and being led by
the Spirit? How might your week be different?
