1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2011 Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2011

2. Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide An Appeal Dear User…. This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. P LEASE U SE A S I S.

3. Carl P. Cosaert Principal Contributor

4. The Gospel in Galatians Contents 1 Paul: Apostle to the GentilesBackground 2 Paul’s Authority and Gospel1; 5:12 3 The Unity of the Gospel2:1-14 4 Justification by Faith Alone2:15-21 5 Old Testament Faith3:1-14 6 The Priority of the Promise3:15-20 7 The Road to Faith3:21-25 8 From Slaves to Heirs3:26-4:20 9 Paul’s Pastoral Appeal4:12-20 10 The Two Covenants4:21-31 11 Freedom in Christ5:1-15 12 Living by the Spirit5:16-25 13 The Gospel and the Church6:1-10 14 Boasting in the Cross6:11-18

5. The Gospel in Galatians Our Goal {167} T o reflect on our own understanding of the gospel. Allow God’s Spirit to spark a spiritual revival in our hearts as we rediscover what God has done for us in Christ.

6. The Gospel in Galatians Lesson 13, December 24 The Gospel in Galatians Lesson 13, December 24 The Gospel and the Church

7. Key Text Galatians 6:10 ESV S o then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

8. The Gospel and the Church Initial Words {324} in how they help each other in trials, and in intentional acts of kindness shared not only among themselves but also with unbelievers. Christlike spirit T he indication of God’s presence among His people is in the Christlike spirit manifest within the church. It can be seen in the way forgiveness and restoration are extended to those who err,

9. The Gospel and the Church Quick Look 1. Restoring the Fallen (Galatians 6:1) 2. Bearing of Burdens (Galatians 6:2-5) 3. Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6:6-10)

10. The Gospel and the Church 1. Restoring the Fallen Galatians 6:1 NKJV B rethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spirtiual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

11. 1. Restoring the Fallen The Proper Response {314} T he word translated “fault” (KJV) or “sin” (NIV), which comes from the Greek word paraptoma, does not refer to a deliberate sin but rather to a mistake, a stumble, or a false step. Paul is not dealing with a case of defiant sin.

12. 1. Restoring the Fallen The Proper Response {314} The proper response in such circumstances should not be punishment, condemnation, or disfellowship but restoration. The seriousness of Paul’s words—to guard our own lives lest we also follow into temptation—should not be overlooked.

13. 1. Restoring the Fallen The Proper Response {316} One of the greatest dangers to the Christian walk is a sense of spiritual pride that makes us think we are somehow immune to committing certain types of sin. The sobering fact is that we all have the same sinful nature—a nature that is opposed to God.

14. 1. Restoring the Fallen The Proper Response {316} Such an awareness of our true identity outside of Christ can keep us from falling into the sin of self-righteousness, and it also can give us greater sympathy for others who make mistakes. Spirit’s restraining power Thus, without the restraining power of God’s Spirit, we could stoop to just about any sin, given the right circumstances.

15. The Gospel and the Church 2. Bearing of Burdens Galatians 6:2-5 NKJV B ear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own kind.”

16. 2. Bearing of Burdens Three Spiritual Insights {318} 1. A ll Christians have burdens. 2. God does not intend for us to bear all our burdens alone. 3. God calls us to bear the burdens of others because it is through our actions that God’s comfort is made manifest.

17. The context and similar terminology with Galatians 5:14 suggest that “fulfilling the law of Christ” is another reference to fulfilling the Mosaic Law through love. In bearing the burdens of others, we are not only following in the footsteps of Jesus, we are also fulfilling the law. 2. Bearing of Burdens The Law of Christ {320}

18. Another issue arises in these texts, the apparent contradiction between Galatians 6:2 and 6:5. This problem, however, is easily resolved when one realizes that Paul is using two different words to describe two different situations. 2. Bearing of Burdens The Law of Christ {320}

19. There are some burdens that people can help us bear but others that no human can bear for us, such as the burden of a guilty conscience, suffering, and death. For these, we must rely on God’s help alone (Matt 11:28–30). 2. Bearing of Burdens The Law of Christ {320}

20. The Gospel and the Church 3. Sowing and Reaping Galatians 5:7-10 NKJV W hatever a man sows, that he will also reap. … And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are in the household of faith.”

21. 3. Sowing and Reaping A Fact of Life {322} Paul uses [sowing and reaping] to highlight his previous comments about the flesh and the Spirit. James D G Dunn notes, “A modern equivalent is that we are free to choose, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our choice.”—Galatians 330.

22. 3. Sowing and Reaping A Fact of Life {322} “Christian ethics has a dual focus: one is universal and all-embracing, ‘Let us do good to all people’; the other is particular and specific, ‘especially to those who belong to the family of believers.’

23. 3. Sowing and Reaping A Fact of Life {322} Paul’s universalistic appeal was based on the fact that all persons everywhere are created in the image of God and are thus infinitely precious in his sight.”—Timothy George Galatians 427, 428.

24. The Gospel and the Church Final Words {324} W hen the law of Christ is fulfilled in our lives, we will care for those who have fallen and who are burdened. We will recognize our own weaknesses and humbly submit to every evidence of truth, lest we become spiritually proud and blind.