Commissioned

Q4. (Galatians 4:6-7) How does the Spirit’s filling demonstrate we are full sons? We are full sons because we have the Holy Spirit in our lives. What is the special sense in which the Aramaic word abba is used to speak to one’s father? The Aramaic word abba was used in prayer and in the family circle when referring to ones' Father. What is the significance of being heirs of God? Being an heir of God, the person does not have to be afraid to approach God, nor do you have to feel like a step-child. Are we sons in the same sense that Jesus was God’s Son? We are sons of God because we are united in Christ, the Son of God.

Q3. (Galatians 4:3-5) In what sense were both the Gentiles and the Jews enslaved? The Gentiles were slaves to the Jews and the Jjews were slaves to traditions. What does “redeem” mean in verse 5? In verse 5 "redeem" means to "buy back" or "liberate". What are the implications of adoption regarding a person’s legal and spiritual rights? Regarding a person’s legal and spiritual rights, the implications of adoption in the legal and spiritual sense; "adoption" aim to show the sonship of the believers is not a natural one but is conferred by divine act.

Q2. (Galatians 4:4) Why do you think it took so long to send the Messiah? It took so long to send the Messiah because God planned the right moment when He would arrive, at the fullness of time. What about the first century world made it fertile ground for the revelation of the Messiah and the spread of the gospel? Whe Christ did arrive the first century social, economic and governmental systems were correctly set to promulgate the gospel.

Q1. (Galatians 4:26-29) Do you think Jewish Christians regarded Gentile Christians as second-class citizens? Yes, I think the Jewish Christians regarded the Gentile Christians as second-class citizens,because Paul went to such length to tell them both, that in Christ we they are all one. What is the basis of our unity in Christ? Our unity in Christ is based on the fact that we are all baptized, united, clothed and hidden in Christ. In what way does this unity pull down barriers? This unity pulls down barriers because no one can say he/she is seen any differently in God's eyes or is respected above any other by God. He is all that matters. Do any groups continue to be regarded as second-class citizens in our congregations? In some instances persons who are financially challenged are regarded as second-class citizens in our congregations. What should we do about this? We should remember that in God's eyes financial status does not count.

Q4. (Galatians 3:19-25) What was the purpose of the law? The law was given because of transgression, as a restraint from unrighteous acts. Was it intended to justify a person? It was not intended to justify a person, that is the work of the Holy Spirit. In what ways did it restrain sin? It restrained sin by giving people God's commandments to identify their wrong acts as sin. In what ways did it expose sin? It exposed sin by stating a standard of righteousness which when violated gives the stench of sin.

Q3. (Galatians 3:10-14) What is Paul’s argument for salvation by faith based on the concept of the “curse of the law”? Paul’s argument for salvation by faith based on the concept of the “curse of the law" is that Christ freed us when he paid the price by hanging on the cross for us. On what basis do the Gentiles receive “the promise of the Spirit” (3:14)? The Gentiles receive "the promise of the Spirit" on the basis of the blessings of Abraham through faith.

Q2. (Galatians 3:6-9) What is Paul's argument for salvation by faith based on Abraham? Paul's argument for salvation by faith based on Abraham is the fact that he was imputed righteous because he believe God. Because of his faith in God, he was blessed and all people who have his kind of faith would obtain salvation. In what sense are we "children of Abraham"? We are "children of Abraham" because we also believe.

Q1. (Galatians 3:2-5) What argument for salvation by faith does Paul give from the presence of the Spirit? Paul's argument is simple. that the Galatians had received the Holy Spirit long before the Judaizers came trying to get them to observe the Mosaic Law. When they received salvation it was by faith. They were filled with the Holy Spirit at salvation. Therefore, the Holy Spirit came through faith rather than the law. What does this tell us about the spiritual environment of the Galatian churches? The Galatian church was founded upon faith for salvation not upon the law. How can we regain this dynamic environment in our own congregations? We can regain this dynamic environment in our own congregations as we continue to teach salvation by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works.

Q5. (Galatians 2:20) In what sense have we been “crucified with Christ”? We have been “crucified with Christ in the sense that our old self has been buried with Him and the new self came through His resurrection. What does that mean? In what sense do “I no longer live”? I no longer live means that I gave up my right to steer my life, instead I turn it over to God, my Father. Whose life now motivates us? We are motivated by the life of Christ. How does this verse relate to Paul’s closing comments about the “new creation” (Galatians 6:15)? The "new creation" does not come about by circumcision, rather it comes by faith in our Lord. What does Galatians 2:20 teach about Christ’s attitude toward us? Galatians 2:20 teaches us that it is by faith in Christ that we can live in the flesh after salvation.

Q4. (Galatians 2:15-21) What happens to the importance of Christ’s death if circumcision is deemed necessary to salvation? If circumcision is deemed necessary to salvation then Christ's death is not important for salvation which all believers must acknowledge. Why was this issue of the sufficiency of the Messiah’s death so important in Paul’s day? The sufficiency of the Messiah’s death was so important in Paul’s day because for both Jews and Gentiles they had only one way to salvation; Christ brought that way when He went to Calvary. It is Christ that justifies all. Why was this issue important to Luther and the reformers? This issue was important to Luther and the reformers because he also knew that it was Christ alone and nothing else was required for one's salvation. Why is it so important in our own day? As it was for Luther, so it is for us; we can be secured knowing that nothing we can do or is required of us to earn salvation. How does it affect the relative legalism of our congregations? For our congregations, the scriptures became their legally binding covenant, not traditions.

Q3. Why is it so hard to take the gospel to different peoples without wrapping it in our own cultural practices? It is so hard to take the gospel to different peoples without wrapping it in our own practices because we do not respect their culture and we do not fully trust that the work of the Holy Spirit will bring them to that place where they walk in holiness. Sometimes we want to do the work of the Holy Spirit. Can you think of examples of this in Church history? In Church history there are records of missionaries traveling to places with the gospel and tried to tag their culture along with the teaching of the gospel and it alienated the people. What is the danger? The danger is presenting the gospel with error; converts may not be able to tell the difference - the pure gospel from the missionary's own traditions. How can we avoid such cultural faux pas in our church's missionary enterprises? We can avoid such cultural faux pas in our church's missionary enterprises by teaching them (the missionaries) to teach the gospel only, leave the change to the Holy Spirit.

Q2. (Galatians 2:14) Why do you think Paul confronted Peter publicly rather than privately? Paul confronted Peter because what he did was wrong and he wanted those who had witnessed it to know that Peter's behavior was not te attitude of a Christian. The public rebuke was done because it needed to be seen asan undesirable behavior. Do you expect Paul had talked with Peter about this previously? Paul may have spoken to Peter about this previously, as a friend, prior to making known publicly his aversion to Paul's behavior. How did a public discussion of this benefit the Jewish Christians? A public discussion of this benefitted the Jewish Christians because it brought to light a behavior that Christ dying on the cross should have brought about a change in them. Letting go of traditions. How did it benefit the Gentile Christians? A public discussion of this benefitted the Gentile Christians as they now know the correct behavior that they they themselves should emulate; that of loving all mankind and not judging them. What kind of pressure do you think this put on Paul? Because Paul was taught the Gospel by Jesus Christ, he as not under any pressure when he told them of the right thing to do. Paul's concern was seeing to it that all Christians was worthy of the call.

Q1. (Galatians 2:11-14) Why do you think Peter first embraced the Gentile believers in Antioch and later withdrew from them to eat only with Jews? When Peter first embraced the Gentiles, he truly demonstrated what Jesus had showed him in His walk on the earth. He later withdrew from them when he lost sight of Christ's mission to him and instead looked to yhose who represented the Mother Church. (Still goes on today) What does this tell us about his character? Peter acted like a weakling in this instant. Why should he have known better? Peter should have known better because he walked with Jesus and knew that Jesus did not shy away from being seen with sinners just to please the crowd. What does this tell us about Barnabas? Barnabas was also lead astray because he was too weak to stand up th those men who represented the Mother Church. What does it tell us about the political clout of the visitors from Jerusalem? The visitors from Jerusalem were viewed as being extremely influential, not to oppose. Have you ever acted like a hypocrite to impress others? What should you do when you recover your senses? At this moment I cannot recall acting this way, but if I have the opportunity I pray that I would be lead by the Holy Spirit and do what is right.

Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)? I think that Paul himself from the Apostles of the Jerusalem church because he did not think that they offered anything to his ministry. He has gotten the message which he preached from Jesus Himself. Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry? He writes their approval of his ministry because they were known as the head of the church at that time. How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter? Paul was able to show the Gentiles that his ministry had the approval of the church in Jerusalem and that there was harmony between the two groups.

Q3. (Galatians 2:1-3) Paul is arguing that the Jerusalem leaders support his position on circumcision, rather than that of the Judaizers. What is the significance of Paul’s mention that Titus was not required to be circumcised? Paul mentioned Titus as as not being required to be circumcised in support of his message to both Jews and Gentiles; saved by grace. Both groups can now see that salvation does not require circumcision of the flesh but it requires circumcision of the heart. One is saved with or without circumcision,

Q2. (Galatians 1:13-16) What factors in Paul's background made him an ideal apostle to the Gentiles? Because of Paul's position in the persecuting army he had opportunities to converse with Gentiles unlike the other Apostles. Now armed with the gospel, he was able to communicate to them in a language they understood. How did God use his being different from others? God used Paul's difference in personality to infiltrate the customs of the people that he would have to minister to. To ponder: How has your unique background fitted you for ministry? My former career and educational exposure have equipped me for ministry. What uniqueness has God given you? What will it take to see that uniqueness as a God-given strength rather than as an embarrassment? God has given me the ability to speak to people with an ease. Being in the position to use this gift is a God given gift that strengthens rater than seen as an embarrassment.

Q1. (Galatians 1:11-12) What is the source of Paul’s gospel? The source of Paul's gospel is the revelation given him by Jesus Christ. How do we know that it is a true revelation? It is a true revelation because it is given by Christ. It is the same Christ taught the disciples who walked with Him. How does it conform to our other foundational sources of Christian teaching? All of our Scripture is from God, just as Paul received it so do we. What is the danger of taking the teaching of contemporary leaders as our doctrinal basis without checking it with the Scripture? The danger of taking the teaching of contemporary leaders as our doctrinal basis without checking it with the Scripture is that you could be led astray into beliving a perverted gospel that is fabricated by man.

Q2. Paul called the Judaizers’ message as a “different gospel,” a perversion of the true gospel. The Judaizers’ message was a “different gospel,” a perversion of the true gospel that gave the Galatians a false hope. A hope that led them to believe that they were saved by the works of the law; a perversion of the true gospel which is Christ died to save us from our sins. How is this dangerous to the Galatian believers? This is dangerous to the Galatian believers, because they would still be lost believing this gospel, not embracing Christ's work on the cross. How do twisted gospels (or an unbalanced interpretation of the gospel) affect Christians in our day? Twisted gospels cause people to turn away from the truth and believe. This lie could cause their total separation from Christ.

Q1. (Galatians 1:4) According to verse 4, for what purpose did Jesus give himself? Jesus gave Himself for our sins. How does Jesus rescue people today? Jesus rescues people today by extending forgiveness of sins, cleansing them from all unrighteousness and giving them a choice not to follow the old ways. How does he keep people from falling back into their old ways? Jesus keeps people from falling back into their old ways by giving them the indwelling Holy Spirit who empowers them to follow a God ordained path.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 13:12) What is the equivalent of a “holy kiss” in your congregation and culture? The greeting of an embrace is the equivalent of a “holy kiss” in my congregation and culture. Why is a warm familial greeting so important in a healthy congregation? It make people feel that the belong, and that they are appreciated by others in the congregation. Why do people sometimes resist being greeted warmly? These are people who themselves do not give freely the love that is given to them.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 12:20) How do you “cure” a church of these kinds of behaviors and sins? A church is "cured" of these kinds of behaviors and sins by humbling themselves, being a people of prayer, a people who seek to know their God, and a people who turn from doing wicked things; then God will hear from them and heal "cure" them. How can a “love offensive” begin to change the spirit of a dysfunctional congregation? A “love offensive” can change the spirit of a dysfunctional congregation and cause deep-rooted offenses. Where there is no love there will be no forgiveness and the congregation will soon disintegrate. What is the role of church discipline in a dysfunctional congregation? Church discipline in a dysfuctional congregation is to address errors and un-Christlike behaviors immediately upon discovery so as not to allow it leavening out into the body.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 12:10) What was the life-changing lesson that Paul learned from God when God denied his prayer? Paul learned that God's grace is sufficient to meet all of our needs. How does our self-sufficiency limit God’s power through our lives? Our self-suffficiency can limit God's power through our lives when we fail to fully depend on Him to meet our needs, instead we try and do thing ourselves. Can we become dependent upon God without having to experience some “thorn in the flesh” ourselves? Yes we can become delendent upon God without experiencing some "thorn in the flesh." This can be accomplished when we believe His word and follow His word in our everyday circumstances, good and bad.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Why was this “thorn in the flesh” given to Paul? This “thorn in the flesh” was given to Paul as a testimony in his Apostleship, so that in his weakness he boasted only of the power of God that empowered him to continue preaching the gospel in spite of physical ailments. What purpose did God want to achieve through this in Paul’s character? God want to achieve a humble, trusting character in the Apostle Paul. How can something be both used by God and be caused by Satan’s destructive work? Something be both used by God and be caused by Satan’s destructive work because the all-powerful God has the ability to turn that which the enemy meant for bad and use it to fulfil His purpose. How does this verse relate to Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20? In both verses we see that ultimately if you trust God He will work out everything regardless of Satan's interferences.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28) How do Paul’s sufferings help authenticate his claim to be an apostle? Paul’s sufferings help authenticate his claim to be an apostle because he reminds them of all that he experienced and still he continues to be God's servant. What do these sufferings tell us about Paul’s commitment? These sufferings tell us that Paul is totally commited to the work of the Lord. How does this account inspire you – or convict you? I am inspired that my trials in carison to Paul's is nothing. How will you be different from having pondered it? By God's grace I will seek to be more committed to God's assignments for me.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 11:7-9) Why do you think Paul refused to require the Corinthians to support him? I think Paul refused to require the Corinthians to support him because he did not want to be a financial burden to them and he received support from other churches. How did this help his ministry? This help his ministry because he did not burden them and demonstrated the power of God to sustain him. How did it contribute to them taking him for granted? It robbed them of their respect for his office as an Apostle, they saw him in menial work. How can we honor Christian workers, clergy and lay, who give of their time sacrificially to minister for Christ? We can honor Christian workers, clergy and lay by being generous to them for their sacrificial time to the work of the kingdom. How will Christ honor them? Christ will honor them with a great reward..