Book of Galatians   (1-6)

Galatians   One ….(verses 1-24)

1.  Verses  1-5

a.  What did Paul call himself and who appointed him as such?     (verse 1)

He called himself an “apostle” and he was appointed such by God the Father and Jesus Christ.

b.  Who did Paul include in sending greetings?      (verse 2)

All those who were with him.

c.   He talks about having peace from God….how does a person get this peace?        (verse 3)

Only by accepting God’s gift of Jesus Christ for oneself…it is a personal decision and has to be done consciously. It doesn’t just happen. A person KNOWS if they know Jesus Christ!

d.   What else does the death of Jesus Christ deliver us from?    (verse 4)

Accepting Jesus Christ gives the power to be delivered from the evil ways we once lived in.

e.   What did the Lord Jesus  pray for the night before His crucifixion?    (John 17:15-17)

That His people would be kept from the evil that is in the world.

f.  Whose will is this?               (verse 4b)

This is what God the Father wills.

g. What do you think it means when it says “To Whom be glory for ever and ever”? (Revelation 4:4, 9-11)

God is surrounded by light and brightness; too bright for mortal man to look at. Yet He accepts the praise and worship that man gives (and all creatures) and this will continue without end. We can NEVER praise God too highly or too much.

2.    Verses  6-9  

a.   Paul now goes into another mode….what was his concern here?  (verses 6-7)       

People had come around and preached add-ons to the Gospel which the Galatians’ were listening to.

b.  How serious a matter was this?                   (verses 8-9)

It is extremely serious to tamper with the Gospel.

c.    What does Paul say about anyone who does this?      (verses 8-9)

He says they will be cursed by God.

d.   What does God say about people who tamper with His Word?    (Revelation 22:18-19)

If they add to it, they will have additional plagues and if they take away from it, then they will have no part in the Book of Life….it shows they were never Christians in the first place.

3.    Verses 10-12   

a.   Who did Paul try to please? Why ?             (verse 10)       

He tried to please God rather than men….if he pleased men, He wouldn’t be the servant of Christ.

b.  What did Jesus say about this matter?                    (Matthew 6:24)

That no-one can serve two masters…one can’t serve God AND the world.

c.    What is the world’s attitude to Christians?              (John 15:18-19)

They hate what the Christian stands for….as the world hated Christ, so it hates His followers.

d.   Where did Paul get this Gospel message from? Who taught it to him?        (verses 11-12)

It was given to him by  the Lord Himself….it didn’t come from another person.

e.   What was one of the criteria for being an apostle? What does Paul say about himself in this respect?             (1 Corinthians 15:4-9)

An apostle was one who had physically seen and talked with the Lord Jesus Christ …Paul classed himself as the last one who had done this.

4.    Verses 13-24   

a.   Paul gives his qualifications here to preach the Gospel….give a brief outline of this….(verses 12-19)       

Paul was a zealous young man who persecuted the early Christians. After he was spoken to by the Lord on the road to Damascus, he went off into the desert to sort himself out before the Lord and then returned back to the point he started from…Damascus. Paul did not receiver his teaching from any person but direct from the Lord….then he went to Jerusalem to see Peter and James. Paul was well grounded in the Old Testament Scriptures and when he went to reconcile that with the new concept, he found they dovetailed together perfectly.

b.  What was the point Paul was reinforcing in verse 20?                        

That his teaching was God’s truth…he wasn’t making this up to suit himself.

c.   Who didn’t know Paul personally at that time? What had they heard about him?     (verses 22-23)

The other Christians hadn’t seen him, they had only heard that the one who had persecuted believers before was now preaching the Word himself.

d.   What was the result of this?        (verse 24)

They gave God the glory for it….thanked and praised Him.

 

Galatians   Two ….(verses 1-21)

At that time, there were people teaching that the Gospel that Paul preached which was by grace and faith alone, had to be accompanied by the rite of circumcision as practised in the Old Testament times. This was upsetting Paul very much and  he was trying to put the matter straight in this letter.

1.    Verses  1-10  

a.  We aren’t told much about time frames in connection with Paul’s preaching….what are we told here?     (verse 1)

It was fourteen years after he had been saved that he went again to Jerusalem.

b.  Who did he take and why did they go?      (verses 1-2; Acts 11:28-30)

Agabus had prophesied that there were going to be hard times coming, so the believers in Paul’s area got a gift together and gave it to Paul and Barnabas to take to Jerusalem.

c.   What do we know about Barnabas and Timothy who went with Paul?        (verse 3; Acts 4:36; 9:27)

Barnabas was a Jew, a Levite, and one of the earliest believers, and Titus was a young man who was a Greek (a Gentile).

d.   What was this “bondage” that these teachers wanted them to do?    (verses 4-5)

They wanted them to circumcise Titus and all the other Gentile believers…..they were saying that circumcision was necessary for salvation.

e.   Did Paul compromise or listen to them?    (verses 5-6)

Not in the slightest.

f.  What conclusion did the other apostles come to?                (verses 9-10)

They agreed that just as they were called to preach to the Jewish people, so Paul was called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles….they told him to remember the poor people too which he was already doing.

g. What did they do as a result?                           (verse 9)

They gave Paul and Barnabas their full support and encouragement.

2.    Verses  11-14  

a.   What happened when Peter visited Antioch?          (verses 11-13)       

Peter had been eating and fellowshipping openly with the Gentile believers, and when the legalistic brothers arrived from Jerusalem he stopped doing this and withdrew from the believers. It was so noticeable that others started following him.

b.  What is this called in today’s world? How does God view it?                      (ch.3:26-29)

It’s called discrimination and God takes a dim view of it…..all believers are equal in His sight.

c.    What does James say about this in his letter?      (James 2:1-9)

He says it is wrong and a sin to those who do it.

d.   What did Paul do about Peter’s behaviour?    (verse 14)

He rebuked him publicly, and told him it was not on.

e.   What is the right way to correct someone?    ( Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:20)

If it is a private wrong, it is to be put right between just the two of you, but if it has been a public wrong it must be seen to be put right in front of others.

3.    Verses 15-21   

a.   What is the contrast between keeping the law for salvation and believing in Jesus Christ for salvation ?               (verse 16)       

One is works (the law) and the other is faith (belief in Christ). One is impossible to keep properly and the other is available to all.

b.  What are we clearly told in verse 16?                      (Romans 3:19-23)

No-one is made right by keeping the law, because no-one can reach its standard; we can only be made right before God by having faith in Christ’s death on the cross.

c.    Do we HAVE to keep the law after we believe? Why not?              (verse 18)

We don’t gain a thing because it is impossible to keep….we only put ourselves back under bondage.

d.   How do we regard the law then?        (verse 19)

We regard the law as being dead to it; we are now alive to Christ!

e.   What wonderful truths do we see in  verse 20?             (1 Corinthians 15:4-9)

That we are not controlled by sin (dead to it)  now because of Christ’s sacrifice, and we are alive to God because of Christ’s presence within us. We live now by  the faith that has been given to us by the One who died for us!

f.   Seeing that He gave His physical life for us, what is the very least that we should do for Him ?                  (Romans 12:1-2)       

We should give ourselves totally to Him, trying to please Him in everything that we do. There are times when we will fail, but we are still to have that aim.

g.  What did Jesus Christ say  that we are to do every day? What is this?                    (Luke 9:23)

We are to take up our cross every day for Him….this is to deny our selfish desires and practice self control.

h.    Paul recognised the grace of God in allowing Christ’s death as payment for man’s sin…..if keeping the law could bring salvation, was there any point in Christ dying?              (verse 21)

No! There wouldn’t be any point in it because then man could earn his own salvation.

i.   What are we told  that Christ did with our sins when He died?        (Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 2:24)

He took them on Himself…He took them and paid the penalty for them so man could be free; He became a curse for us so we could be free from sin’s curse. But this doesn’t just fall freely on EVERYONE regardless of what they do…..each person must accept this gift for himself.

j.   What is the only thing that man can earn?             (Romans 6:23a)

Death….the wages of sin. Man is born in sin and cannot get out of this in his own strength….he just adds to this curse the more he tries to get out of it by his refusal of God’s way… he just earns more to his wages!

Galatians   Three ….(verses 1-29)

1.    Verses  1-5 

a.  What did Paul call the Galatians? Why?     (verse 1)

He called them foolish because they had been listening to the wrong teaching. He thought he had made it so clear and now they were going back to the old bondage of the law.

b.  What does it seem that they were now believing?      (verses 2-3)

That besides having faith in God they had to keep the law to be saved.

c.   What did Paul start by asking?        (verses 3-4)

You began in the Spirit and now you think you have to be made perfect by the flesh! In other words, you started by believing and now you want to top it up by doing!

d.   Paul said they had seen miracles done amongst them…were they done by faith or by keeping the law?    What example did Paul use for his argument?       (verses 5-6)

It was obvious that they weren’t brought about by keeping the law, and Paul used Abraham’s belief as an example.

e.   What miracles do we see in people today?                            (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The change in a person’s life when they become a Christian…they have new attitudes, new likes and dislikes, new everything! This is a real miracle! If there is no change, there is no real belief.

2.    Verses  6-9  

a.   What did Abraham believe in, and what did it do for him?              (verse 6)       

He believed what God told him and acted on that belief….this made him righteous before God.

b.  Abraham had to have faith to believe….what helps us to believe? When we believe, what does that make us?                   (verse 7)

We have to have faith to believe too, and when this happens, we become the children of Abraham.

c.    Where does this faith come from?      (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 11:6)

We must have faith in God, believing in His existence, and as we reach out to Him, He gives us more faith. It comes only from Him and is His gift to those who sincerely seek Him.

d.   When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, what does this include?    (verse 9)

It is not only his physical children in the peoples of the Middle East, but his spiritual children who come from every nation on earth….all those who believe in Jesus Christ  are classed as children of Abraham, because they have the same faith in God that Abraham did.

e.   What did God tell Abraham He would establish with him? What sort of one was it?    ( Genesis 17:7)

God was going to make a covenant with Abraham  and his descendants, and it would be one that would last for ever….He would be their God for ever.

3.    Verses  10-14  

a.   Paul goes on to say that those who trust in the law are under what? Why?              (verses 10-12)       

They are under the curse of the law because no-one can keep it well enough to be made right before God.

b.  What has Christ redeemed us from? How?              (verse 13)

He has taken the curse of the law for us….He is the only One who was ever able to keep it perfectly, and even though it seemed from a human point of view that His death was a perversion of justice, yet it was  God’s plan to have the penalty of man’s sin paid in this way.

c.    Therefore what is now available to ALL people?      (verse 14)

The blessing of eternal life that Abraham received through his faith, is now passed onto ALL who believe God as he did.

4.    Verses  15-18  

a.   People make covenants and contracts with each other and are bound by them….who initiated this covenant and who was it made to?              (verses 15-16)       

God made this covenant with Abraham and his descendants.

b.  What does Paul point out about Abraham’s seed (descendant) ?                (verse 16)

The seed or descendant of Abraham which mattered the most was in the singular, not plural, and it referred to Christ as coming from the Jewish nation.

c.    How many years after Abraham was the law given?      (verse 17)

It was four hundred and thirty years later.

d.   Did the law supersede God’s covenant with Abraham?    (verses 17b-18)

No, it didn’t.

e.   What was the point of the law then?    ( verse 19)

It served until the time came for Christ (the Seed)  to be born to show mankind that God’s standard was impossible to keep.

5.    Verses  19-22  

a.   How was the law given to mankind?              (verse 19)       

It was given by angels (from God), to an intermediary who then passed it on to the people.

b.  Who was this intermediary (go-between or mediator) ?                   (Exodus 20:18-21)

Moses was the one who God spoke directly to….the people couldn”t stand it.

c.    What does having a mediator imply?     

That there are two parties on either side.

d.   Was there any mediator when Abraham received God’s promises?    (Genesis 12:1-3, 7)

No, there wasn’t….God spoke directly to Abraham.

e.   Did the law supersede God’s promises to Abraham ?    ( verse 21)

No, it didn’t, it just proved that man couldn’t earn his salvation but would have to receive it by faith in Jesus Christ who was God’s promised “Seed” to Abraham.

f.   What does Scripture plainly teach about sin?   (verse 22; Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:23)       

That EVERYONE has sinned….none are good naturally.

g.  Does everyone start off from the same point then? What hope is there for people?          (verse 22)

Everyone starts off hopelessly lost in sin but God’s  promise is there for people to believe in Jesus Christ  for a free salvation…..people just have to humble themselves to admit they need Him.

6.    Verses  23-27  

a.   What is the picture of the law in this section?              (verses 23-24)       

Man was kept under the law as under a school teacher until the time that Jesus Christ came into the world.

b.  What is the believer’s status now ?                         (verses 25-26)

They are no longer under a school teacher, but are made free by faith in Jesus Christ to become the children of God!

c.    What is the difference between being baptised INTO Christ and being baptised IN His name?    (verse 27; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians  12:13) 

There is quite a difference….when we sincerely believe in Jesus Christ, we are baptised by His Spirit into His body,  and we become one of God’s children….this is a one off happening. Then in obedience to His Word, we get baptised by being immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit….this is an outward sign of what has happened inwardly. We do not have to ask to be baptised  with the Holy Spirit, as this happens automatically at conversion. To be filled with the Spirit is another matter altogether, and is a continual thing as we follow His ways.

7.    Verses  28-29  

a.   What are the contrasts in this passage?                  

The privileged versus the under privileged… the Jew and Greek, bond and free, male and female

b.  What wonderful truth is taught in these verses?      (Romans 9:6-8)

That all believers are one in Christ Jesus….all one in status and position, all part of God’s family, all equal with Abraham and heirs of God’s promises to him….God has no favourites!

c.    What brings this about?             (verse 26; Ephesians 2:8-9) 

The death of Jesus Christ when He paid the penalty of sin for all human-kind of all ages. It is all His doing, nothing of man. Even the faith that we exercise to believe this, is a gift from God.

 

Galatians   Four ….(verses 1-31)

1.    Verses  1-4 

a.  What is the picture of “bondage” that we have already seen?     (chap. 3:23)

The “bondage” of having to keep the law.

b.  What sort of  “bondage” do we see in this passage?      (verse 3)

The bondage of sin and the world.

c.   When the heir is still a child, what position is he in?        (verses 1-2)

He is still under the care of teachers and guardians and has to do as he is told.

d.   Who judges when the son can be freed of this bondage?       (verse 2)

The father.

e.   When did God send His Son into the world?  What does this indicate?                      (verse 4)

God sent His Son into the world when the right time came….this shows us that God was working to a specific plan.

f.   What did Jesus  have to say about this?       (Mark 1:15)

That the time was ready for God’s Kingdom to appear and for the people to repent.

g.   What did Christ’s  coming signify for the law?                      (Romans 10:4; Hebrews 10:1-10)

It was the end of the law….Christ made the perfect sacrifice once for all that superseded all the animal sacrifices that had ever been made, and sin’s penalty was paid in full.

2.    Verses  5-7  

a.   God’s Son was born a human in the time of the “law”….what was He able to do because of this?    (verse 5)       

He was able to redeem those still under the law and all who had believed all the years the law was in force.

b.  We see that God was working to a plan….when was this plan conceived?  (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20)

Before the creation of the earth and the universe was started.

c.    What is God still in the process of doing?      (John 10:16; Ephesians  1:10)

He is still in the process of gathering together all those who will believe in Him, and when the number is complete the end will come.

d.   What do we see about God in verse 6?   

We see that God is the Triune God….God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit who is with His people and enables us to call Him “Father”.

e.   What position and entitlement  does this bring believers into?    ( verse 7; Ephesians 1: 3, 5)

It brings them into the position of sons and therefore the heirs of God….all that God has is theirs in Christ Jesus.

f.   In what two ways are we made the “sons of God”? (verse 7; John 3:3-7; Galatians 4:5)       

By being born into God’s family spiritually through the second birth, and then by adoption. We are doubly God’s children.

3.    John 17:1-26  

a.   Read this chapter and jot down all the blessings that Christ gives to His people….          

Verses 2-3                    Eternal life and the fact we can KNOW Him

Verses 6, 8, 14              His Word which has been kept intact all these years.

Verse 9                         His continual intercession for His people.

Verses 11-12, 15                       His protection and keeping power.

Verse 13                                   His joy.

Verses 17, 19                The ability to be sanctified…set apart for Him.

Verses 21, 23                Unity in the Gospel…believers disagree on many things, but all agree on the

Gospel; unity with the Triune God.

Verses 22, 24                His glory has been given to us, so we can appreciate His glory.

Verse 24                                   The promise that one day we will be with Him, sharing in all that He has.

Verse 26                                   All this is given to us with all His love!

4.    Verses  8-11  

a.   What did the Gentile people worship before they turned to Christ?    (verse 8)       

They worshipped pagan gods and their rites.

b.  What sort of things are worshipped today by non-believers? 

Sport, musical groups, pop stars, anything at all that people can get hooked on or addicted to.

c. The Galatians had been freed from all this when they became Christians…what were they now doing?      (verse 9)

They were turning back to their old ways.

d.   What sort of things were the Galatians  observing again?    (verse 10)

They were keeping certain days special and observing rites and rituals on them.

e.   What was Paul afraid of?                            ( verse 11)

He was afraid that all his work with them would be for nothing if they turned back to their old ways.

5.    Verses  12-20  

a.   How was Paul’s health when he first arrived in Galatia?    (verses 13-14)       

Not the best….something was troubling him healthwise.

b.  What did Paul feel the reason was for his “thorn in the flesh” ?    (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

To keep him dependent on God, and humble before Him.

c. What comfort can we take from this?     

To know that if God could use Paul in his handicap and weakness, He can do the same for us.

d.   What sort of problem  is indicated that Paul could have had?           (verse 15; ch 6:11; Romans 16:22)

It seems he may have had poor eyesight, as he  often had others to write his letters for him.

e.   What was Paul afraid of  here?                            ( verse 16)

That the Galatian beleivers would think he was against them because he was correcting them.

f.  What were these false teachers trying to do? Do we see this happen today?          (verses 17-18)

They were trying to get the believers to follow them as though they had something better.

g.   Who were the false teachers not basically submitting to?           (verse 15; ch 6:11; Romans 16:22)

It seems he may have had poor eyesight, as he  often had others to write his letters for him.

h.   What was Paul afraid of  here?                            ( verse 16)

That the Galatian beleivers would think he was against them because he was correcting them.

i.  What was Paul’s desire when he wrote this letter?          (verse  20)

That he could be with the Galatians face to face instead of having to write to them!

j.  What is the advantage for us today  in the fact that he WAS away from them?         

His letter has been preserved and is in the Scriptures for us today explaining these truths for us as well.

6.    Verses  21-27  

a.   What is Paul talking about in this section?    (verses 21-27)       

He is talking about the symbolism of Abraham’s two sons.

b.  What does he say the two sons were illustrations of ?    (verses 22-23; Genesis 16:3, 15; 17:19-21)

Ishmael was born of a slave woman while Isaac was born of the free woman. They are pictures of the two covenants that God made with mankind down through the years.

c. What did Hagar represent?               (verses 24-25)

She represnted  Mt. Sinai where the people were given the law to keep…they were under bondage under the law with so many rules! She also represents the earthly Jerusalem which was where the temple was, the seat of Judaism.

d.   What did Sarah represent?           (verses 26-27; Hebrews 12:22-24)

She represented the heavenly Jerusalem and freedom in Christ.

e.   In what way does verse 27 speak of Sarah?                           

She was barren for ninety years and had given up all hope of ever having a child, but in Isaac (and subsequently in Christ) she has far more children than just an earthly nation such as Ishmael produced.

7.    Verses  28-31

a.   What truth is Paul bringing out in verse 28?          

That all  believers are the children of God’s promises.

b.  When did Ishmael mock Isaac?                   (verse 29; Genesis 21: 8-9)

At the time of his circumcision when he was a week old.

c. What happened as a result of this?               (verse 30; Genesis 21:10-12)

Sarah wanted to throw Ishmael out and God allowed this….the two could not live together.

d.   What does this tell us?           (verse 29; John 15:19-20)

That believers will be persecuted by non-believers today….there is no sitting on the fence.

e.   Who are believers the children of figuratively?      (verse 31; ch.3:29)                     

They are the children of God’s promise to Abraham and the free woman.

f.  What does Matthew 6:24 tell us?         

That we cannot have our feet in two camps….we have to be in one or the other!

 

Galatians   Five….(verses 1-26)

1.    Verses  1-10

a.  What is Paul saying in verse 1?    

To stay in the freedom there is in  Christ and NOT to get tangled up again with rules and regulations.

b.  What has Christ given freedom from?      (verse 1; Romans 8:1)

He has given freedom from the law of sin (the law which showed us sin) and death.

c.   What is Paul warning against doing in verses 3-6?       

Being circumcised and keeping the law to be saved. The law has to be either kept in its entirety or it’s a waste of time to just keep one part of it.

d.   Put verses 7-9 in your own words……      

You used to run well….who has changed your minds? It hasn’t come from God! Remember that a little bit of untruth grows and spreads like yeast in a lump of dough!

e.   What confidence did Paul have in these believers?                      (verse 10)

That they would listen to what he was writing and take no notice of the other teachers.

2.    Verses  11-15

a.   What was the first thing a man had to do to keep the law?     (verse 11a)

He had to be circumcised.

b.  If Paul had preached this, would he have been persecuted?     (verse 11b)

No!

c.    Because a believer is free from the law of Moses, does this mean they can then please themselves? What law are they to operate under now?                  (verse 13)

No! They are to serve one another in love.

d.   What one word fulfils the whole law?                (verse 14)

LOVE.

e.   What did Jesus Christ say about this in Matthew 22:37-40?   

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, this is the first and greatest commandment, with the second one being to love your neighbour as yourself….if you do these, the rest will fall into place!”

f.   What happens if a person complains about and criticises others?              (verse 15)       

The fellowship will be broken down….the fellowship between the members and between the people and the Lord.

3.    Verses  16-24

a.  What are the two contrary factors in a believer’s life?          (verse 16; Romans 7:21-23)

The Holy Spirit and the flesh….OR the old nature versus the new nature.

b.  What else do we learn about these two natures?      (Romans 8:1-14 in a modern translation)

It is God’s Holy Spirit living within the believer which gives them the new life and new nature, and they are then able to please God. The old nature alone CANNOT please God in any way at all.. the new nature gives spiritual life, while the old nature brings both physical and spiritual death.

c.  We have these two factors within us and whichever one we feed, is the one that controls us. What are some of the deeds of the flesh (old nature)?      (verses 19-21)

Immorality, indecency, idolatry, spiritism, hatred, jealousy, anger, malicious gossip, complaints, wild parties.

d.  Can people who live this way inherit God’s kingdom (go to heaven)?       (verse 21b; Revelation 21:8)      

No!

e.   What does the Spirit of God produce in a believer’s life?                      (verses 22-23)

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, loyalty and commitment, self control.

f.   When the deeds of the flesh are practiced, is there need for law enforcement agents? Is the law of the land being broken?              (verse 21a)       

Yes, any wild rock party or festival needs extra police.

g.   Do the deeds of the Spirit of God break any earthly law?              (verse 23b)       

No! A large gathering of Christians needs no police at all!

2.    Verses  24-26

a.   What has the believer crucified?     (verse 24; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

He has crucified the old nature with all its desires and wants…..he is a new creature!

b.  If a Christian hasn’t done this, can he walk in the Spirit?     (verses 24-25)

No, it is impossible….the two factors cannot operate together as one will always over-ride the other.

c.    What does Jesus Christ call “walking in the Spirit”?                     (John 15:4-5)

He says it is abiding in Him….keeping in mind what He would do and say in every situation we are in.

d.   What happens when we abide in Him, the true Vine, and what is it?            (verses 22-23; John 15:5)

We bear the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace etc.

e.   Can a believer NOT be in the Spirit?                 (verse 25; Romans 8:9)

No, if we are not in the Spirit (or He in us), we aren’t His at all, and have never been born again.

f.   What else does the Holy Spirit do for the believer?              (2 Corinthians 1:22)       

He seals the believer as belonging to God and guarantees that we belong to Him.

g.   OK, we are in the Spirit when we believe…..how do we WALK in the Spirit? (verses 25-26; Colossians 3:10, 12-14)

We do not compete with others or be envious of them, instead we be nice, kind, polite, thoughtful, forgiving, loving and patient with people.

h.   Is verse 26 a picture of the old self or the new self?                

The old self that competes and shows off….it is not a nice picture!!

i.   What short sentence covers both verses 25-26?              

Let us BE what we ARE!!

 

Galatians   Six….(verses 1-18)

1.    Verses  1-3  

a.  What two sorts of Christians do we see in verse 1?    

One who has slipped of back slidden and one who is still “spiritual”.

b. What is a spiritual  “Christian”?      (verses 1-3; Psalm 37:4a; Colossians 3:12-13)

One who is delighting in the Lord and His ways; one who is loving and kind, patient and meek; one who accepts the whole Scripture as God’s Word.

c.   Why must one always be humble and meek?        (verse 1b)

Because one never knows when one might also slip up….no-one is ever immune from this danger.

d.   What weapon does Satan use most effectively on a believer?       (verse 3; Romans 12:3)

Pride….thinking we are better and know more than the next person.

e.   What does pride show?                      (verse 3)

That we aren’t as smart or as good  as we think we are! We are only fooling ourselves, no-one else.

f.   What is the law of Christ?       (verse 2; John 13:34)

The law of loving God and one another.

g.   How can we fulfil this law?                      (verse 2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14)

By sharing one another’s burdens (worries and fears) and sharing what we have others less fortunate.

2.    Verses  4-5  

a.   How are we to judge our capabilities?     (verses 3-4; Acts 13:1-3; Romans 12:3)

We are to do our very best for the Lord and let others be the judge to commend us if necessary.

b.  When we are told to not think too much of ourselves, what is the other side of the coin we have to be careful of?     (Exodus 4:10-12)

Saying that we aren’t good enough and refusing to do anything.

c.    What is a foolish thing to do?  Why?                     (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 ; 2 Corinthians 10:12)

To compare ourselves with each other, because we are all different with different capabilities, and we only have what we have been given anyway.

d.   Does this mean that some are useless?                (verse 4)

No! We are to complement  and compliment each other in our abilities….no one person is meant to do EVERYTHING!

e.   When the tabernacle was being erected, what held the tent sides firm? Could they be done without? Could they be seen?   (Exodus 39:33, 40)

It was the tent pegs that were the most crucial, and they were out of sight buried in the ground, and without them the whole thing would have fallen down.

f.   How can a person then evaluate himself? Whose commendation are we to look for?      (verse 4; Psalm 139: 23-24;  1 Corinthians 1:27-31)       

We are to do the very best we can as unto the Lord ,  glorying in and praising Him,  and then we will have His commendation. We are to ask Him to search our heart and show us where we fall short, and go from there.

3.    Verses  6-10

a.  What is verse 6 saying?    

That those who are taught by others must share what they have with them…a full time worker or pastor must be supported by those who they teach.

b. How would you put verse 7 into your own words?     

Don’t fool yourselves! God sees everything you do and you can’t fool Him! Whatever you sow, you will reap.

c.   What are the two areas we are sowing in?        (verse 8)

We can sow to (or feed) the flesh which leads to death and a wasted life, or we can sow to the Spirit and reap everlasting life.

d.   What is a believer to do?       (verse 9; Psalm 30:5b)

To not  faint, but to keep on keeping on, things will come right in the end.

e.   What opportunities are we to grasp?                      (verse 10; Mark 9:41 )

Helping everyone who comes our way, no matter in how small a way, especially other believers. God misses nothing that is done in His name.

4.    Verse  11

a.   Taking all these references together, what conclusion do we come to?     (verse 11; Romans 16:22; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18)

That Paul had someone else to write his letters while he dictated them. He usually added the last bit himself but he had to write with large letters to see it properly.

b.  What could have caused his poor eyesight? Why did God allow it?     (Acts 9:3-9; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

It could have been as a result of the bright shining light that struck him to the ground at his conversion leaving him blind for three days. God allowed his weakness to remain so Paul would depend more on Him. It is also an encouragement to others who are handicapped who God can use mightily in spite of their physical disabilities. God’s power can show through man’s weakness.

5.    Verses  12-18

a.   What was Paul’s final concern again?     (verses 12-13)

That the Galatians were not to consider going back to circumcision for salvation.

b.  What was the downfall of those who taught this?     (verses 12-13)

They were afraid of persecution for faith in Christ alone, and it made them look holy and good to be circumcised, even though they didn’t keep the rest of the law as they should..

c.    What did Paul glory in? What is the only thing a Christian should glory in?    (verse 14; Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31)

Paul gloried in the cross of Christ and what He had done for him; this is the only thing that a believer cannot spend too much time thinking and talking about….what Christ has done for him! Anything else that we spend too much time  taken up with can become idolatry.

d.   What are believers in Christ? Does circumcision do this for a person?   (verse 15; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Believers are totally new creatures when they turn to Christ, with new desires and attitudes…. circumcision does nothing like this, it just keeps people under bondage to the old ways.

e.   What is the Israel of God?   (verse 16; chap. 3:28-29)

All those who believe in Christ have come into the promises God gave to Abraham.

f.   What sort of marks would Paul have had on his body?      (verse 17;  2 Corinthians 11:24-25)       

He would have had scars from his beatings and floggings.

Ephesians Explained….

                               Book of Ephesians  (1-6)

 

Ephesians   One ….(verses 1-23)

1.  Verses  1-4 

a.  What is the dictionary definition of a “saint”?    

A person recognised by the church as being exceptionally holy….one of the blessed dead, in other words you aren’t a saint until you’re dead!

b.  So would you think there are many saints around today?     

It would seem pretty impossible to ever be a saint.

c.   What is a “saint” in the Scriptures?        (verse 1)

Those who are faithful in Christ Jesus…. those who know Christ as their Saviour.

d.   Paul is writing to the saints….so they are a group of people still living. What should the characteristics of a “saint” be?    (chapter 2:19; 5:3-5; Colossians 1:12)

They are part of God’s household, and are  to live good moral lives above reproach being heirs of God.

e.   What is “grace” (God’s grace) to us?    (verse 2; chapter 2:8; Romans 5:15-21; 1 Corinthians 1:4)

It is something that God gives us that we don’t deserve….it is God’s gift of eternal life to sinful human beings through what Jesus Christ has done in paying sin’s debt. All we have to do is to accept it.

f.   We understand what a “blessing” to us is, but how can we “bless” God?  What does it mean?    (verse 3a; Psalm 34:1-3)       

It means to praise Him, to boast about Him and to magnify and exalt His Name

g.  What does it mean when God “blesses” us?         (verse 3b; Psalm 103:2)

It is when He gives us something that benefits us, something good.

h.    What sort of blessings is Paul referring to here?      (verse 3)

He is referring to “spiritual blessings”.

i.   What are some of these spiritual blessings?    (verses 4-6)

We are chosen in Him; He has made us holy and without blame in His sight; we are God’s children and accepted in Christ; we have forgiveness of sins.

j.  When were we chosen in Christ?   (verse 4a)       

From before the foundation of the world.

k.  When was God’s kingdom prepared?     (Matthew 25:34)

From before the foundation of the world.

l.   What was regarded as being finished from the foundation of the world?      (Hebrews 4:3b)

God’s work of salvation was conceived before the foundation of the world.

m.  When was the plan for Christ’s death put in place?        (1 Peter 1:19-20)

Before He even began creation.

n.  When were God’s books written up?         (Revelation 13:8; 17:8b)

From before the foundation of the world.

o.  What do all these references tell us?                    

That God had everything minutely planned down to the last detail before He even began to create the earth.

p. In the light of all this, do you think that anything bad that Satan has done has been a surprise to God?    

No, God knew before He began exactly all that would happen

q.  Stop and think about this….why would God want to do all this? Why bother doing it?   (Job 1:9,11; Revelation 12:10b; John 3:16) 

We know that Satan is the accuser of God’s people. We can hear him jeering at God….”You say You are a God of love, what proof can You give us of this?” John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He gave His only well loved Son (His Treasure) to come to earth and pay the price of man’s sin and disobedience, so man could have everlasting life with Him. What greater proof of love is there than this?

2.  Verses  5-8  

a.   What does “predestine” and  “predestinated” mean?   (Acts 13:48)       

To have ordained or chosen a certain thing before ever starting to do it, to have it printed into the plan.

b.  What is special about an adopted child?  (verse 5)

They are specially chosen by the parents and are very much wanted and loved.

c.    What is special about a child that is born into a family?      (Isaiah 43:7a)

They bear the family name and have the family characteristics and nature.

d.   So how can we describe believers?       (verse 5; 1 John 3:1-2)

They are both born into God’s family and chosen as well….they have the nature of God implanted in them.

e.   How did God feel about this plan of His? (verse 6; Revelation 4:11)

He was very pleased with every aspect of it.

f.     What is the end result of this plan?      (verse 6; Isaiah 43:7; Revelation 4:9-11 )

It is all to the glory of God….endless praise, honour, thanksgiving by all creation. They have all seen God’s love in action! God has always been a God of Love, but until it was seen put against evil, it could never  be displayed.

g.     What makes the believer to be accepted by God?     (verses 6-7)

It is only because we are redeemed through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (He paid sin’s penalty and we accepted that) and now we have forgiveness of sins.

h.   How much grace has God extended towards believers?      (verses 7b-8)

He has an abundance of grace for those who trust in Him….He knows just how much we need and there is more than enough.

i.   What is it that God has graciously available for us?       (verse 7b)

Forgiveness of sins.

3.  Verses  9-14  

a.   We have already studied the “mystery of God” in other places, but what is it that was hidden so long from mankind?           (Colossians 1:26-27)       

It is the fact of Christ being able to live in a believer’s heart, both Jew and  Gentile.

b.  How does God view this plan of His?  (verse 9b; Isaiah 53:10-11)

With great pleasure…..it will have been worth all the pain and He will be satisfied with the result.

c.    What is the end result of His plan?      (verse10; John 10:16)

When the time is right and all have come who will come, His people will be gathered together as one unit in Christ. There will be but ONE flock with ONE  shepherd.

d.   What are we told again in verses 11-13?              (Romans 8:17)        

That the Gentiles who were naturally without hope of ever knowing God believers have been predestinated to have an inheritance according to God’s eternal plan, being heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.

e.   What is the believer’s part in God’s plan?                (verse 13a)

To hear God’s message, to trust and to believe it.

f.     What is God’s part in it?     (verse 13b )

He has supplied the answer to man’s sin, and when a person believes and accepts it, He seals them with His Holy Spirit….it is His promise and guarantee  that they are His and His alone.

g.     Do believers have to beg and plead with God to give them the Holy Spirit?     (Acts 11:12-18)

No, as soon as we turn to God and ask for forgiveness of sins, His Spirit lives within us and gives the strength to live for Him.

h.   When we hear of someone going on well for the Lord, what does it do for us? (verse 15-16;  3 John 1:3-4)       

It gives us great joy and stimulates thanksgiving and praise to God.

i.  What is Paul’s prayer for these Ephesian believers?   (verses 16-18)

He could give thanks to God for them and pray that they would have the wisdom (and desire) to see Christ clearly and really understand all that He had done for them, and that their hearts and minds would appreciate something of the future He had called them to share; that they would understand how great God’s power is towards those who believe.

j.    Can we pray this sort of prayer for each other today?     

Yes, we can and we should.

k.   God has done so much for all His people….what is this prayer really asking God to do?    (verse 18)     

To open their eyes and make His people aware of these things and appreciative of them.

l.   When Christians are aware of these things, what does it stimulate them to do?  (verse 6; Psalm 34:1-3)

To praise and glorify God for all He has done for them…to exalt His name and rejoice together.

4.  Verses  19-23  

a.   This power of God that is available to us….what is it the same as? (verses 19-20a)

It is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

b.  How do we see this power of God working in believers today? (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We see it in the change in a person’s life, desires and habits when they turn to the Lord….they become a different person with new ways.

c.   Where is Christ now?        (verses 20b-21a; Colossians 3:1)

He is raised from the dead and is sitting at God’s right hand.

d.   What is His position now?         (verse 21-22; 1 Timothy 6:14b-15)

He is the highest authority in both heaven and earth, with all things under His feet…..the only Potentate and absolute Sovereign of all things.

e.   What relation is Christ to His church?  (verses 22b-23)

Christ alone is the Head of the church which is His body…..there is no earthly or human head, not even in local church groups.

5.  Overview………..  

a.   What have we seen that God is rich in?      (verses 6-8, 18)

Mercy               Keeping us from what we deserve, God’s judgement.

Grace               Giving us what we don’t deserve, all God’s blessings.

Wisdom and knowledge,           more than we can understand.

Glory…            what He has done for His people and the inheritance He has given them.

b.  There are said to be fourteen blessings of God for his people (verse 3) in this chapter….how many can you find?    

v.4…Chosen in Him                                           v.4… Made holy and blameless

v.5…Adopted into  God’s family                          v. 6…Accepted in Jesus Christ

v.7…Redeemed and forgiven                              v.8… Been given wisdom and prudence

v.9…Been shown His will and plan                      v.10…Knowing they will all be one in Him v.11…Being  an heir of God                               v. 12.  Being praised as part of His glory.

v.13…Being given the seal of God’s Holy Spirit .            v.19…Having access to God’s great power.

v.22…Having Christ as our Head                        v. 23…Being  part of His body, the church!

c.   Does  the term “in heavenly places” refer to now or to the future?     (verses 3, 20b)

It refers to our position before God NOW, even though our bodies are still on earth. Christ is in these “heavenly places” now.

Ephesians   Two ….(verses 1-22)

Read through the chapter at one sitting, in a couple of different versions if possible…..

1.     Verses  1-22 

a.  What are some of the contrasts in this chapter?  (verses 1, 5, 8-9, 11, 13, 16-17, 19)    

Dead in sins                             Alive to God

Saved by grace                        Not our works

Uncircumcision                         Circumcision

Far away from God                   Made near in Christ

Being enemies of God               Having peace with God

Strangers and foreigners           Fellow citizens with the other saints.

2.     Verses  1-3 

a.  What makes people sin?         (verse 2; 6:12)     

Satan, the prince of the power of the air.

b.  What were we once dead in?    (verse 1)

Sin and deliberate disobedience.

c.   What does  “natural” man (the way we were born) do?    (verse 3)

We did our own thing, what we wanted to do, we followed our own desires and pleased only ourselves.

d.   Have you ever been guilty of saying, “No-one is going to tell ME what to do”?  What sort of attitude does this display?      (Isaiah 14:12-14)

It shows pride and arrogance and is the spirit of disobedience which leads to sin….it is the same attitude that Satan displayed at his fall.

e.   What is natural man’s end result?    (verse 3c)

They die under God’s anger and judgement.

f.   What does natural man deserve?   ( Habakkuk 1:12-13; Hebrews 9:27)       

God’s judgment and eternal separation from Him.

g.  What did God feel towards man in this natural state of disobedience?  Does this mean we can do what we like and God will overlook it?  (verse 4; John 3:16)

He felt a great love that was full of mercy and was prepared to do something about it. God’s holiness CANNOT overlook sin.

h.    Did Christ wait until we were good enough to die for us?      (verse 5; Romans 5:8)

No! He died while we were still sinners; He paid the price of sin and is now offering us forgiveness if we will accept it.

i.   What is the believer’s position now?    (verse 6)

We are alive to God and raised up to sit with Christ in heavenly places.

j.    How can we be aware of this and live in the enjoyment of it when we are surrounded by the hassles of daily living?      (Colossians 3:1-2, 16-17)

We must set our minds on the things above and surround ourselves with spiritual songs and hymns whenever possible.

k.   Does this happen naturally or automatically?    (Colossians 3:8-9)

No, we have to make a conscious effort to do it and “put off” everything that displeases God.

3.  Verses 7-10   

a.   What glimpse do we have of the future here?       (verse 7)       

It will be a time of continual learning of  the riches of God’s grace

b.  Why haven’t we been told more about what God has prepared for us?    (1 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 [modern translation])

Because we wouldn’t be able to understand what we were reading anyway….human words would be unable to describe it!

c.    Read Ezekiel 1:5-14….how much of that can one really understand?       

It sounds grotesque, with all those eyes and wheels!

d.   How much are we capable of understanding now? What is the contrast between now and then?    (1 Corinthians 13:12)

We can only see it all dimly now like through a smoky glass, but then we will see it all clearly and understand what we are looking at.

e.   What DO we know about God’s grace now?     (verses 7-8)

We know that God has it in abundance, it is due to His kindness to us through Christ Jesus; it is a gift freely available to those who are saved.

f.  Why can it not be earned?  (verse 9; 2 Timothy 1:9)         

Because then man would boast that it was his doing, and his eyes would be taken off God’s grace and mercy.

g. Why can’t we boast in our own goodness?     (Romans 3:27; 11:6)

Because we haven’t anything that hasn’t come from God in the first place….we are only created beings, both naturally and spiritually. We only have what we’ve been given!

h. What does God expect His people to do after they’ve been saved? Why?    (verse 10) 

He expects us to do the good works which we’ve been made for….this is what He ordained and planned for His people.

i. So what conclusion do we come to about doing good works?      (John 6:28-29; Titus 3:8; James 2:14-26)

The first good work we are to do is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ ….good works are only acceptable from those who have already believed in God, and the works show the faith that they have in God. We all know the saying to “put your money where your mouth is” and preaching is no good without the good works to prove it. We must practice what we preach.

4.   Verses 11-22   

a.  What was the state of the Ephesians before they believed on Jesus Christ?  (verses 11-12)       

They were classed as uncircumcised Gentiles by the Jews; they were without Christ and had no part in God’s people or promises; they were without God and had no hope whatsoever.

b.  What is the difference now? How were the Ephesians made near to God? (verse 13)

They were now near to the Lord because of the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed on the cross.

c.    What are these two that are united as one? What made the difference?  (verses 14-16; John 10:16)

Both Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ Jesus because of His death on the cross….there is but ONE flock and ONE shepherd.

d.    What was the contrast between the Jews and the Gentiles?    (verse 17)

The Jews were nearer to God having His promises, while the Gentiles were far away in idolatry.

e.   What do they both need?  (verse 18)

They need access to God which is only possible through the Holy Spirit by what Jesus Christ has done.

f.  What do you notice about God’s “one” people in verses 15-18?   

Both Jews and Gentiles make one “new body” in Christ; “both” needed to be reconciled to God in the same way through the cross of Christ and now they “both have access”  by the same Spirit to the Father.

a.   What status can the Gentiles now have?      (verse 19; 1 Peter 2:9-10)       

They have become fellow citizens with the saints and part of God’s family.

b.  What is this section a picture of?    (verses 20-22)

It is the picture of a house that is being built for God to live in.

c.    How is this building described and what are the foundations?        (verses 20-21; 1 Peter 2:5-7)

It is a holy temple in the Lord , with the foundations being the apostles (God’s Word in the New Testament) and the prophets (God’s Word in  the Old Testament), and Jesus Christ Himself being the main stone of the building.

d.    What is a temple used for?        (1 Samuel 1:3)

It is used for the worship of God, or whatever deity the people acknowledged.

e.   What does Paul tell us about this?                   (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 )

That our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which the Spirit of God lives in.

f.  How are we to treat this temple of God?    ( 1 Corinthians 6: 15-18)        

We are to keep it holy and undefiled (clean) in behaviour and we are to glorify God with it.

g. Who do our bodies belong to? Why?     (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

We belong to God, body, soul and spirit because He has bought us with the death of His beloved Son.

h. What else does Peter bring out about this temple of God?    (1 Peter 2:5 ) 

We are not only part of this building, but we are also the priests who offer spiritual sacrifices to God continually.

i.    What is one spiritual sacrifice that we can all offer to God?      (Hebrews 13:15-16)

The sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving and worship to God, as well as doing good to others in sharing what we have.

Ephesians   Three ….(verses 1-21)

1.     Verses  1-8 

a.  What was Paul’s status at the time he wrote this letter?      (verse 1)    

He was in prison for Christ’s sake, because he had been preaching.

b.  What teaching was Paul especially given by God?          (verses 2-3)

All about God’s grace and the “mystery” of the church.

c.   How did Paul come to know the in-depth teaching of this “mystery of God”?  (verse 3; Galatians 1:13-17)

It was revealed to Him by God Himself when he was in the desert on his own after his conversion.

d.   Why was Paul specially fitted for this revelation?      (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:5-6)

He had the right natural ability of being staunch and steadfast, as well as being brought up in a strict Jewish household and then having the highest education in the Jewish law (Old Testament scriptures) possible. He had a natural zeal for God, even if it was misplaced.

e.   What do you think might have been one of the hardest things for Paul to accept in this revelation from God?    (Romans 2:28-29; 9:30-32; Galatians 3:26-29)

The fact that the Jews were no longer the only ones to receive God’s righteousness….the message was now open to all people (uncircumcised Gentiles) everywhere through faith in Jesus Christ , and all were one in Him.

f.    Briefly describe this “mystery”…what exactly is it?   (verses 5-6;  Colossians 1:26-27)       

It is the mystery of the Gentiles also being able to be God’s children and have Christ living in them as well as the Jews, through faith in the death of Christ.

g.  What did Paul consider his calling was?     (verse 7; Galatians 1:15-16)

He was to minister and preach the word of God to all the heathen Gentiles who would listen.

h. Why did Paul see himself in such a poor light?      (verse 8; 1 Corinthians 15:9)

Because he had been such a great persecutor of the people in the church before his conversion.

i.   What is the gist of all Paul’s teaching?    (verses 8-9; 1 Corinthians 2:2)

Jesus Christ and the reason He was crucified, and the wonderful things that God has prepared for all who believe in Him.

j.  What does Paul call these things?  Why are they unsearchable?    (verse 8c; Colossians 2:3)

Paul calls them unsearchable riches and unending treasures, because there is no end to them…eternity will never come to an end of them!

k.   Are they tangible things? What does the world think of them?    (1 Corinthians 2:14)

No, they aren’t able to be seen naturally….to people in the world they are just a waste of time to think about.

2.     Verses  9-11 

a.  What does Paul go on to explain?              (verses 9-11; 6:12)    

That there are other forces and dimensions in life which are beyond physical sight….there are spiritual beings everywhere which we are unaware of but which observe God’s dealings with people and which try to influence people. He also tells how the mystery of God (which is Christ in His people, the church) shows all the spirit beings (both good and bad) His eternal love and grace.

b.  What spiritual force influences non-Christians? What else is he known as?   (Matthew 12:24; Ephesians 2:2)

The prince of the power of the air (or the prince of this world), otherwise known as Beelzebub or Satan.

c.   What is another description of Satan and his cohorts?  (Ephesians 6:12b)

They are the rulers of darkness.

d.   What else do these spiritual beings and powers observe and do?      (Job 1:7-11; 1 Corinthians 4: 9; 11:10; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:10)

They watch all men, particularly believers and their behaviour, and accuse them to God continually. This is why it is so important for us to behave in such a way as to not discredit God. We are to be a good example to everything that may be watching us.

e.   What is the believer’s protection and overcoming power in this? (chapter  6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:7-9)

To actively oppose these things with God’s armour of truth, righteousness (remembering that two wrongs don’t make a right), faith, thanking God for His salvation, using the sword of God’s Word  (immersing yourself in the Scripture, memorising and quoting it) . Most of all don’t allow yourself to get depressed about your situation, but  stand fast in the things of the Lord.

f.    Read verse 10 in a modern translation….what do we see there?     (John 3:16a; Romans 5:8)       

That the church (and individual believers) are to show these heavenly beings how great God’s grace, mercy and love are….human beings are the proof of God’s love.

g.  What is all this part of?                  (verse 11)

God’s wonderful and eternal plan.

3.     Verses  12-21 

a.  What attitude can the believer come to God with?       (verse 12)    

With boldness and confidence ( not with brashness or demands)  but with reverence and awe knowing that we only have what we have been given.

b.  What was Paul concerned about?      (verse 13)

That the Christians might become discouraged because of  Paul’s afflictions.

c.   What does Paul break into now? Who was he praying to?       (verse 14)

He now writes down his prayer to God the Father, for the people he is writing to.

d.   What was his prayer for them?      (verses 14-21)

That the believers would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in their spiritual life, and that they would be conscious of Christ’s presence with them

e.   What are two things that a person needs to know more than anything in the time of trouble? (verse 19; Philippians 4:7)

God’s love and peace which is totally  unable to be comprehended by a non-Christian.

f.    How can a person activate the peace of God?     (Philippians 4:6-8)       

By praying about the problem, and not dwelling on it, but filling one’s mind with good things like spiritual songs and music….in other words, positive thinking. True, the problem will keep pushing itself to the fore again, but deal with what you can and leave the rest to the Lord.

g.  What is unable to be totally understood and yet can be known?        (verse 19a)

God’s wonderful love can be known and experienced but never come to an end of.

h.  What is possible for a believer to be filled with? How do you think this happens?  (verse 19b; John 15:5, 10; Galatians 2:20)

It is possible for a believer to be filled with the fullness of God Himself, but this will only come within the guidelines laid down in Scripture of holy living in family life, meditation of the Scriptures and prayer with self control in every facet of life. It is as much as we yield ourselves to God, that we will be filled with His fullness. Fill a cup with stones and water, then take out the stones one by one and keep the cup full of water….the more stones that are taken out, the more water can fit in…when the stones are all gone, the cup will be full of water alone.

i.   Who gives us the power to be like this?    (verse 20; Colossians 1:27)

Jesus Christ  Himself.

j.    How did Paul finish off his prayer?      (verse 21)

Glory be to God forever! This is shown in Jesus Christ and in  His people.

Ephesians   Four….(verses 1-32)

1.    Verses  1-12

a.  What is Paul begging the believers to do?       (verse 1;  Colossians 1:10-11)    

To walk worthy of the Lord….to BE  in practice what we ARE in position.

b.  What are the hallmarks of a godly person?    (verses 2-3)

Humbleness, meekness, patience, love and joy with unity.

c.  What do we see in these verses?     (verses 4-6; John 17:21-23)    

The unity of the God-Head, and the unity of believers in the Holy Spirit ; the unity of the faith with only one baptism.

d.  What are we told in verse 6?    (verses 2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6)

That God is over all and pervades His people by living in them.

e.   What will show  that God lives in His people?      (1 John 4: 15-21)

Love (and obedience)  for Him and love for other believers.

f.  What is given to every believer?     (chapter 2:8-9)    

Grace is given to even become a believer.

g.  What sort of person do we have to be to receive this grace?    (1 Peter5:5b)

We have to be humble to receive God’s grace.

h.  What was God’s grace sufficient for in Paul’s case?   (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

Paul’s physical problem which he wanted God to remove.

i.   What other things does God’s grace do for us?   (2 Thessalonians 1:12; Titus 2:11 )

God’s grace gives us something to praise and worship Him for, and it gives us salvation in the first place.

j.  What is Paul writing in verse 8?     (Psalm 68:18-19)    

He is quoting from the book of Psalms which refers to man’s salvation.

k.  What is Paul referring to with this quotation?         

He is referring to the Lord Jesus Christ who came down to earth, who died and rose again and then ascended back to heaven. Because of all this, He is now able to bring people to Himself out of the captivity of sin, and give them gifts which will build  others up in their faith.

l.   What are some of these gifts that God gives to His people?     (Romans 12:6-13)

To be teachers, evangelists, pastors; to be able to give money for the Lord’s work, to be able to lead and organise, to be kind and to have discernment and wisdom.

m. What is the purpose of these gifts that the Lord has given His people?  (verses 11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:12 )

That His people will be built up and become mature Christians, and that the ministry may continue with the believers being edified and encouraged in all things.

2.     Verses   13-32

a.  What are we to aim for in doing this building up?     (verse 13a; John 17:21-23)    

We are to aim for unity in our faith, not arguing or splitting up as so many believers do. Just as the God-head is united as One, so believers are to aim for this

b.  What is the contrast between a mature Christian and one who is immature?   (verses 13b-15; Psalm 119:165)      

A mature believer will stand firm and understand and experience the fullness of Christ; will not be easily offended but will take the knocks of life; they love God’s Word and read it constantly. An immature believer is, and has, none of these things.

c.   Who is our example and standard?     (verses 20-21; 1 Peter 2:21-22; John 13:14-15)

We are to follow the example of our Lord Jesus who served others and suffered for it.

d.   What is Christ the Head of?   (verses 15-16a; chapter 5:23 )

He is the head of all believers as the church,  which is His Body.

e.  How does one expect their body to function?    (verse 16b)

In perfect unity, each part looking after one that hurts, and training to perform even better.

f.  What are the characteristics of a non-believer? (verses 17-19; Psalm 53:1; Romans 1:21-22)    

They think they have all the answers but in actual fact have none, as their understanding of God is nil and they are separated from Him; they are greedy and selfish, and think only of themselves; in plain words, they are fools.

g.  How is a Christian to live? Where does this start?  (verses 20-21,23; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-2)      

It starts with our mind and heart….we are to make up our minds to honour Christ and follow Him, acting as He would act.

h.   How is a  believer NOT to behave?    ( verses 22, 25-29, 31)

Not to lie or stay angry; not to steal or talk dirty talk, not to be bitter or a stirrer, gossip or be malicious.

i.   Which is YOUR hardest thing to do in this list?        

It could be one of any of these, but to stick to whole truth when passing on a piece of news without exaggerating is very hard indeed; or it could be to not be glad when someone you don’t like has a bit of misfortune (“serve them right” attitude!) One can appear to be holy and godly and yet have these wrong attitudes which are all sinful!

j.  What are the two things a believer is to do in verses 22 and 24 ?   

He is to PUT OFF the old man and evil ways, and PUT ON the new man with new ways in holiness.

k.    What is the believer to always remember?       (verses 30, 32)        

To not behave in such a way as to grieve the Holy Spirit who has sealed their salvation and lives in them, and to be kind and forgiving to those they come in contact with.

l.  What should a believer not be known for?      (verse 31)    

A believer should not be known for being a hard person, dishonest or one who says one thing and does another.

m.  What does God look for in His people?      (verse 32; Micah 6:8)           .

God looks for His people to be reasonable, kind, and  helpful, and walking  humbly with Him. Many non-Christian people can fulfil the first part of this, but in refusing to do the latter part, have missed out on the most important thing in life.

Ephesians   Five….(verses 1-33)

1.     Verses  1-7

a.  Who are believers to follow?              (verse 1)    

They are to follow God and His ways.

b.  What are we told to do in verse 2a?   Why?       ( 1 John 4:7-11, 19-20)

We are to walk in love towards God and towards others…if we don’t love other people who we can see,  how can we love God who we can’t see? We can only love because of God’s love towards us….He loved us first.

c.  How did Jesus Christ show His love for us?     (verse 2b)    

By giving Himself for us when He died on the cross and paid for our sins.

d.  How did God regard Christ’s sacrifice?       ( verse 2c)

As a sweet smelling incense offered to Him, as something beautiful.

e.  Why did this mean so much to God?       ( Hebrews 9:11-14, 22, 27-28)

For several reasons…..it was part of God’s plan from before He began creation;  it showed Christ’s uttermost obedience to His Father to go through with this sacrifice; a blood sacrifice was the only way to pay sin’s penalty, and it had to be paid by Someone who had never been tainted with sin. In the Old Testament times animal sacrifices were required, but they had to be offered continually; even today tribes in uncivilized places seem to know that blood is required and they sacrifice things like pigs and hens to the spirit beings they live in fear of. Christ’s sacrifice was a complete once for all sacrifice and all we have to do is to acknowledge this and accept it.

f. This shows how seriously God regards sin….we are so tainted with it and think nothing of it. What does God say about it?       ( Ezekiel 18:20a; Romans 3:23; 6:23)

The soul that sins will die, and there is not a single soul that has reached God’s standard, all have sinned and come short of it. So we will all reap the wages of sin which is death unless we take God’s gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.

g.  What is in this list of things that a Christian is not to do?     (verses 3-4)    

Any form of immorality, unclean living, dirty jokes or silly talk.

h.  What sort of person will NOT be part of God’s kingdom?  (verse  5; Revelation 21:8)

One who is immoral, or schemes to get others’  belongings or who idolises anything other than God.

i.   What comes on those who practice such things?   (verse 6)

God’s anger and judgement.

j.  This is serious stuff in this day and age where loose living is the normal thing….do you think it is really as bad as that?   Who is speaking in  Revelation 21:5-8?

It is God who is speaking and He is meaning every word that He says…..after all, it is for man’s sin that His Son died on the cross.

k.   What positive thought comes through in all these verses we have just looked at?  (Psalm 119:160; Revelation 22:17)            

What God says is true….He is offering the water of life to anyone who will accept it and then they will be fit for heaven. If they ignore it or deliberately refuse it, then judgment is inevitable.

l.   What positive thought is there in these verses for believers? What are they told to do?  (verses 3b, 7)

They are called saints and are told  to not  take part in this sort of talk or behaviour. Don’t listen to their dirty stories or laugh at their suggestive jokes….it isn’t fitting for believers to do so.

2.     Verses 8-21

a.  What are the contrasts in verse 8?              (1 John 1:7)    

Those who once walked in the darkness of sin and unbelief,  now have God’s light in their soul and are to walk in that light.

b.  What are the characteristics of those who walk in the light?   (verses 9-10; Galatians 5:22-23)

They exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives which is all truth, goodness and what is right.

c.   Why do people like to walk in the darkness of sin rather than come to God’s light?   (verse 11; John 3: 19-20)

When their deeds are evil, they are frightened of being exposed….this is why thieves work at night.

d.   What was Paul telling the Ephesians in verse 8?  Why?   

You were once in darkness but now have God’s light, so make sure you are living truthful and honest lives.

e.   What IS the fruit of the Holy Spirit?         (verse 9; Galatians 5:22-23)

It is our attitudes and manner of life, being joyful, loving, patient, making peace and thankful for everything that is good, true and right.

f.   How does God feel about a believer when they live like this? What if they don’t?   (verse 10; 4:30)

He is well pleased when people respond to Him positively, and grieved if they don’t.

g.  How is a believer to regard evil ways?     (verses 11-12)    

They are to have nothing to do with them; to reprove them; to not even speak of them or mention them.

h.  How does this affect us in our everyday life today?    (Psalm 101:3; Philippians 4:8)

We are to be very selective what we watch on TV and the internet, and what we read. We are to avoid programmes and magazines that report on and promote loose living, and we are not to attend places where they are entertained or promoted. We are only to fill our minds with what is good and lovely.

i.   What shows these things up?   (verse 13; Matthew 5:16)

The light of a believer’s life.

j.   Where does this Light come from?    (John 8:12; 1 John 1:5-7)

It comes from God Himself and we get it from reading and following His Word; the Lord Jesus Christ could say, “I am the Light of the world, and those who follow My ways will have the light of life.”

k.  How is the believer to live?     (verses 15-17)    

He is to live wisely and carefully,  making the most of every minute and understanding what God’s will is.

l.    Read verse 18 carefully….what is it telling us? What happens when one is drunk?

It is telling us we are not to allow ourselves to be controlled by drink (or drugs), but to be controlled by the Holy Spirit instead.

m.   What are the parallels? The contrasts?          (Romans 13:13-14)

The contrasts are being drunk and being filled with God’s Spirit. The parallels are that both these can control a person….just as a person can be full of drink, so a person can be full of God’s Spirit

n.   What shows which spirit  is controlling a person?      (verse 19)

The spirit of drink shows itself in lack of self control and in stupid behaviour while the being filled with the Holy Spirit  shows by a person’s full self control and their cheerfulness in spite of adverse situations. People say they need a drink to unwind or get a lift, but a believer can get his lift from thinking positive thoughts from the Scripture and giving God thanks for it!

3.     Verses 22-29

a.  Where do people show their true selves?     (Psalm 101:2)    

At home where they relax and don’t have to put on a front.

b.   What sort of spirit is a believer to show at all times?  (verses 20-21;1 Thessalonians 5:18)

A thankful and uncomplaining spirit, fitting in with those around you.

c.   How is a wife to relate to her husband?  Why?        (verses 22-24)

A wife is to regard her husband as the head of the family and therefore to have the last say. This is because true marriage is a picture of Christ and His church….as He is the Head of the church and believers are to submit to Him, so wives are to submit to their own husbands and fit in with their plans.

d.   Why is the wife not to be the boss in a marriage? (Genesis 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:12-14)

It was Eve’s punishment for being disobedient in the Garden….she took the lead there with disastrous results.

e.   Who has decreed this order for marriage?    (Matthew19: 4-6; 1 Corinthians 14:37)

It is God’s order, not Paul’s idea….he is merely passing it on.

f.   When a wife submits to her husband, who is she really obeying and pleasing?   (1 Peter 3: 1-6)

She is obeying the Lord’s command which pleases Him immensely because He knows it has to be worked on and doesn’t come naturally.

g.  If the wife thinks she has it hard to do her part, what is the husband’s  part?     (verses 25, 28-29)    

He is to love his wife and look after and cherish her just as Christ does with the church….he is to love her as much as he loves his own body.

h.  In the light of all this, what does marriage represent to God?     (verses 23-27)

It is a representation of the relationship between Christ and His church.

i.   What happens to this picture in a  marriage breakdown?  

It breaks down the symbolism and  shatters the picture for that couple.

j.   When is a second marriage permitted with God’s blessing ?    (1 Corinthians 7:39)

Only God Himself can break the marriage bond by taking one of the couple in death.

4.     Verses 30-33

a.  How does this physical picture tie in with the spiritual truth?    (verses 30-32)    

As a man and woman unite in marriage, so it is a picture of the unity between Christ and His people.

b.    We know that in a marriage breakdown  the symbolism is broken….does Christ ever break down with His people? Can we depend on Him totally?           (Hebrews 13:5b; Jeremiah 31:3)

Christ is utterly dependable and has promised He will never leave His people….He loves them with an everlasting love!

c.   What is God’s order in marriage then?        (Matthew 19:5-6)

One man and one woman united for life (nothing and no-one is to come between them) , with God as the Head.

d.   What are the final instructions concerning marriage?      (verse 33)

The husband is to love his wife, and the wife is to “reverence” her husband.

e.   What connotations are there in this word “reverence”?        

To respect, to think highly of; to honour and praise up, to encourage and build up; to not tear him down in public.

f.   When a wife shows “reverence”  to her husband, who is she really serving?   (1 Peter 3: 1-6)

She is serving the Lord  when she does this.

g.  What is the husband’s duty to his wife?     (verse 30)    

To love his wife as much as Christ loves the church, even to giving himself to her (not necessarily physically, but in time and recreation, and in listening to her).

h.  What does Peter add to this?          (1 Peter 3:7)

The husband is to honour his wife and treat her like a precious fragile ornament, if he doesn’t,  he can’t expect his prayers to get through to God.

i.   If a husband doesn’t show this sort of love to his wife, does this let her off? Can she pay him back?  ( 1 Corinthians 7:3-5; Colossians 3: 18-19)

No! This achieves nothing except further bitterness.

j.  What can be the hardest thing for a wife to do?   (verse 33c)    

To reverence and respect her husband’s decisions when she disagrees.

Ephesians   Six….(verses 1-24)

1.     Verses  1-9

a.  What is this section dealing with?              (verses 1-4)    

Family life….children and parents.

b.  What is the children’s responsibility?      (Deuteronomy 5:16)

To honour their parents

c.  How does God feel when this is done?       (verse  3)    

He is very pleased and gives the promise of long life to those who obey it.

d.  How are fathers to bring up their children?  ( verse 4; Deuteronomy 4:9; Colossians 3:21)

They are to know the way of the Lord and show this by example to their children, to be fair with them,  teaching them the way of the Lord, and not being harsh with them.

e.  What is the responsibility of the believing servant and employee?   (verses 5-8; 1 Peter 2:18; Colossians 3:22-23 )    

To be obedient, quick and quiet in their work, doing it as to the Lord.

f.  What is one to remember when doing menial or repetitious tasks?      (verses 5b-8)

That one is doing it for the Lord and that He is taking notice of our attitudes and actions and is very pleased with a good job well done; to remember that He will help us have the right attitude in our work.

g.  What is the responsibility of believing employers?      (verse  9)    

To be just and fair, not taking advantage of them; to remember that God is YOUR master and how you would like to be treated if you were in their place!

3.     Verses 10-17

a.  What does Paul encourage believers to be?     (verse 10)    

To be strong in the Lord and in utilising His power….it’s there for us, use it!

b.  What are we to put on? Why?     (verse 11)

We are to put on the whole armour of God so we can stand against Satan and his schemes.

c.   What does armour suggest?     (verse 11, 13)

That there is a battle to be fought.

d.   What is this battle against?      (verse 12)

Spiritual powers and Satan himself.

e.   Does Satan always only work in the minds of believers? What happened to Job?     (Job 1:6-22)

Sometimes God allows him to work in physical ways with believers, but always for a good purpose. In Job’s case Satan was allowed to take away all Job’s possessions to prove that Job wouldn’t let God down in the face of disaster.

f. What are we to realise when tragedies and dramas occur in our lives?  (1 Corinthians 4:9)    

That there are unseen hosts out there which are watching us to see how we react in times of distress and trial….lets always remember this and behave in such a way as to not let God down.

g.   Who supplies the armour that we need?       (verses 11a, 13a)

It is God’s armour and He freely gives it.

h.  How much of it are we to take?       (verses 11a-13a)    

We are to take it ALL, the WHOLE armour of God.

i.  What does God’s armour consist of?          (verses 14-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8)

Truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith and salvation, and above all using  the sword, Word of God.

j.   What does God’s armour enable one to do?      (verses 13c, 16b)

It enables one to stand firm against Satan  and put out his fiery darts….he cannot stand against God’s Word.

k.   What makes Satan flee from one?    (James 4:7)

Resist him and his subtle suggestions; surround your mind with the Word of God, and don’t even listen a second time to his ideas….remember how Eve was caught….she LISTENED,  LOOKED and  was HOOKED.

4.     Verses 18-24

a.  What must go with taking and using the armour of God?    (verse 18)    

Constant prayer for help and strength….we CANNOT do it on our own.

b.  Who was Paul asking prayer for? Why?          (verses 18-19)

Prayer for all the believers and especially for him that he would continue to be able to preach the Gospel boldly where he was.

c.   Where was he when he was writing this letter?    (verse 20)

He was chained up in prison for the sake of the Gospel….thrown into prison because he was preaching.

d.   How were the Ephesians  going to know how Paul was doing?  (verses 21-22)

Tychicus would take this letter to them and tell them all the news.

e.   How did Paul describe Tychicus?     (verse 21)

As a faithful and much loved brother in the Lord.

f.   What did Paul want for the Ephesians ?     (verses 23-24; Ephesians 1:15-18)

That they would be at peace and show love and faith to each other and to God, having  peace in doing so.

g.  Do you think this is how we should all be living today?                  

Yes!

h.  What does it take to become like this? If you aren’t like this, what is the hindrance?   (Daniel 1:8a; Psalm 139:23-24; Romans 12:2)     

It takes time, self discipline and purpose of heart! It all starts in our mind….we have to make our minds up to take time to do this.One must also seek God in prayer being honest before Him, and searching His Word.