Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

spirit"
am"
principles,'
sons,'
converts."
QUESTIONS
Lesson Helps for the Week of July 10, 1955
CYPU TOPIC
for July 10
Second Study in Galatians
Chapters 3 and 4
by Alvin W. Smith D.D.
Psalms:
25:1-6, page 57
32:1-6, page 74
Prayers:
1. For spiritual perception of the
apostle's teaching.
2. For faithful and true preaching of
the gospel.
3. For Vacation Bible Schools.
REVIEW QUESTIONS BY THE
LEADER
Who were the Galatians Where did
they live
What were some of their characteris
tics
What shocking news
reached Paul
concerning the Galatians
What charges had the Judaizers made
concerning Paul With what success
How did Paul meet those charges
How had the Judaizers made neces
sary the Council at Jerusalem
To what extent did they comply with
its settlement
Was Paul's rebuke to Peter personal
or strictly on principle 2:11.
How did Paul back up his doctrinal
teaching with the personal testimony of
his life
Recite the memory verses: Ch. 1:3,
4; 2:20 (Tell where found).
READ ALOUD 3rd and 4th Chapters.
Note the content of their teachings.
By this time you have observed doubt
less, that the subjects treated by the
apostle overlap
chapter boundaries. As
you can see from ch. 1:11 through 2:14
Paul has well answered the first charge
of his enemies that it was not from
man that he had received the gospel,
but from Christ. From ch. 2:15 through
5:12 Paul answers the second charge
concerning the way of salvation, (posi
tively) THAT SALVATION IS BY
FAITH ALONE AND NOT BY
WORKS.
Visualize The Situation
Endeavor to imagine yourself in
Paul's position, undertaking by appeal
and reason and scripture to bring back
the Galatians gone astray. Read care
fully that series of questions one after
another in 3:1-5. Note the contrasts:
"works of the law" vs. "hearing of
faith" v. 2.
"begun in the
vs.
"made perfect by the flesh," v. 3.
"works of the law" vs. "the hearing of
faith,"
v. 5.
June 22, 1955
That is, the Galatians themselves had Abraham's two sons. Note how the
Here we are treated to the allegory of way God commanded them to observe
been saved by faith, not works. parts of the allegory are identified:
bond-maid free-woman
Abraham likewise was justified by faith
(3:6-9).
mount Sinai
Agar Jerusalem above (free)
"That is God's perpetual and unvary after the flesh by promises
ing method. The gospel as preached to Ishmael Isaac
Abraham announced blessings for all
"So then, brethren, we are not chil
nations, and that through faith."
dren of the bond- woman (flesh law)
but of the free (Spirit promise), v. 31.
The Curse and the Blessing (3:10-14). Why then relinquish freedom in Christ
"Those who remain under the law can
to go back into the bondage of the law
expect only the law's curse. Christ died
This leads right on to the exhortation in
in order to redeem us from that curse,
the next verse . . . (next week) "Stand
so that, instead of the curse, the bless
fast therefore in the liberty wherewith
ing promised to Abraham, the blessing Christ hath made us free . .
of the promised Holy Spirit might come
to all nations through faith."
SECOND DEPOSIT IN MEMORY'S
BANK. 3:22. 4:4,5.
The Real Function of the Law (3:15-23).
"The law as only a temporary pro
1. Wherein had the Galatians made
vision: it is not contrary to faith but
themselves foolish
was given in order to prepare men for
2. What
the era of faith." similar teachings of 'justifi
Read carefully in this
light, verses 22-26.
In This Era of Faith We Are Sons of
cation by faith' are found in Paul's
other epistles (Romans, Ephesians,
Titus).
God (3:24-4:7).
3. Why does Satan (through false
"The law led us to Christ, in whom
teachers) attack this truth so violently
today
we found justification by faith." We
4. Wherein is Abraham the father of
have come of age and have attained to
all Christian believers 3:7, 29.
the stature of sons and heirs of God."
5. What is meant by 'the fulness of
Note these expressions : all one in
the time' 4:4.
Christ Jesus (3:28), elements (rudi
6. Contrast the status of the son-heir
ments) of
12, 'first
time."
. . . see Hebrews 5:
"the fulness of the
with that of the bond-servant; the sta
tus of the minor under-age with that of
the world
(4:4) Here is emphasized the
the mature come-of-age son. Apply to
reality of the incarnation, so needed to
law and grace and their privilege.
day. Note also the expression 'the adop 7. Explain
tion of v. 5.
allegory of Ishmael and
Isaac.
The Foolishness of
Wishing to be Again
JUNIOR TOPIC
in Bondage (4:8-11).
July 10, 1955
Had Paul's labor been all in vain by
THE SCAPEGOAT
their retrogression v. 9. See 3:4. What
Mrs. Robert Russell, Walton, N. Y.
do you think of the observance of days
Scripture Text: Lev. 16:1-10; 20-28
on the Church Calendar in 1955
Memory Verse John 3:16.
Memory Psalm for July Psalm 44:1-4,
A Call to Remember Their First
page 112.
Reception of the Gospel (4:12-20). Psalm 22:1,2,3, page 49
A strong personal appeal is made. v. Psalm 40:13, 18, 19, page 104
12, "Brethren, I beseech you, be ye as Psalm 71:1,2, page 170.
I (free from Jewish ordinances). Last week we learned how God taught
"7 threw off the yoke of the Jewish law His people that they must worship Him
in order to bring myself to the level of in the way and manner He had com
my Gentile Write out a para manded. You remember how Nadab and
phrase of verses 13-15. What may have Abihu were killed because they dis
been Paul's thorn in the flesh How had obeyed God and came into God's holy
it become the occasion of their having place in a drunken state, and for taking
received him and the gospel
fire which was not from the great altar
as God had commanded.
Another Appeal to the Scriptures To-day we are going to study about
(4:2-31).
the Great Day of Atonement and the
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