Our Legacy

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February 22, 2009 - Galatians 3:26-4:7

Open It

  1. What would be the advantages of growing up in a multiethnic neighborhood?

  2. If you could become part of another family, which family would you choose?

Explore It

  1. What was the family status of the Galatian believers? (3:26)

  2. How are Christians joined to Christ? (3:27)

  3. What new garments did the Galatians put on? (3:27)

  4. How does God cut across cultural and human distinctions in the family of faith? (3:28)

  5. How were the Galatians heirs of the promise to Abraham? (3:29)

  6. How are those who live under the Law immature? (4:1-2)

  7. Before the Galatians became Christians, how were they like slaves? (4:3)

  8. How did the coming of Jesus perfectly satisfy the requirements of the Law? (4:4-5)

  9. How did the believers benefit by becoming part of God's family? (4:5)

  10. Whom did God send into the lives of the Galatian Christians? (4:6)

  11. How did the Spirit move the believers to address God? (4:6)

  12. Since the Galatians were no longer slaves, what had they become? (4:7)

Get It

  1. How would you describe your spiritual clothing?

  2. What is your favorite way to address God?

  3. If you were a Galatian Christian, how would you feel after learning of your position in God's family?

  4. As a child of God, do you behave like a slave or more like an heir?

  5. In what ways do even Christians discriminate or value some types of people over others?

  6. How do many churches hold on to cultural barriers even as they represent Christ?

  7. In what ways should churches work to break down barriers between groups?

Apply It

  1. How can you take action to step beyond your cultural boundaries in befriending Christians who are different from you?

  2. How can you develop more intimacy with and trust in your heavenly Father during the coming days?

Notes

Galatians 3:26-27: In Roman society, a youth coming of age laid aside the robe of childhood and put on a new toga. This represented his move into adult citizenship with full rights and responsibilities. Paul combined this cultural understanding with the concept of baptism. By becoming Christians and being baptized, the Galatian believers were becoming spiritually grown up and ready to take on the privileges and responsibilities of the more mature. Paul was saying that they had laid aside the old clothes of the law, and were putting on Christ's new robe of righteousness (see 2 Cor. 5:21; Ephes. 4:23-24).

Galatians 3:28: Some Jewish males greeted each new day by praying, "Lord, I thank you that I am not a Gentile, a slave, or a woman." The role of women was enhanced by Christianity. Faith in Christ transcends these differences and makes all believers one in Christ. Make sure you do not impose distinctions that Christ has removed. Because all believers are his heirs, no one is more privileged than or superior to anyone else.

3:28 It's our natural inclination to feel uncomfortable around people who are different from us and to gravitate toward those who are similar to us. But when we allow our differences to separate us from our fellow believers, we are disregarding clear Biblical teaching. Make a point to seek out and appreciate people who are not just like you and your friends. You may find that you have a lot in common with them.

Galatians 3:29: The original promise to Abraham was intended for the whole world, not just for Abraham's descendants (see Genesis 12:3). All believers participate in this promise and are blessed as children of Abraham.

See Chart Judiazers VS Paul at the end of this study guide.

Galatians 4:3-7: The "basic principles of the world" are the elementary stages of religious practice, whether in the Jewish or pagan religion. Paul uses the illustration of slavery to show that before Christ came and died for sins, people were in bondage to the law. Thinking they could be saved by it, they became enslaved to trying-and failing-to keep it. But we who were once slaves are now God's very own children who have an intimate relationship with him. Because of Christ, there is no reason to be afraid of God. We can come boldly into his presence, knowing that he will welcome us as his family members.

4:4 "When the time had fully come," God sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins. For centuries the Jews had been wondering when their Messiah would come-but God's timing was perfect. We may sometimes wonder if God will ever respond to our prayers. But we must never doubt him or give up hope. At the right time he will respond. Are you waiting for God's timing? Trust his judgment and trust that he has your best interests in mind.

4:4-5 Jesus was born of a woman-he was human. He was born as a Jew-he was subject to God's law and fulfilled it perfectly. Thus Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because, although he was fully human, he never sinned. His death bought freedom for us who were enslaved to sin so that we could be adopted into God's family.

4:5-7 Under Roman law, an adopted child was guaranteed all legal rights to his father's property, even if he was formerly a slave. He was not a second-class son; he was equal to all other sons, biological or adopted, in his father's family. Abba is an Aramaic word for father. It was used by Christ in his prayer in Mark 14:36. As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God's resources. As God's heirs, we can claim what he has provided for us-our full identity as his children (see Romans 8:15-17).

CHART: JUDAIZERS VERSUS PAUL

As the debate raged between the Gentile Christians and the Judaizers, Paul found it necessary to write to the churches in Galatia. The Judaizers were trying to undermine Pauls authority, and they taught a false gospel. In reply, Paul defended his authority as an apostle and the truth of his message. The debate over Jewish laws and Gentile Christians was officially resolved at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15), yet it continued to be a point of contention after that time.