Leading Question:

"On what basis can a God who is holy and just accept and forgive faulty humans?"

Key Passages:

Galatians 2:15-21 – Jesus' faithfulness is the means by which humans are made right with God.

Romans 3:10-20 – Paul explains that salvation is based on the work of Jesus for humans.

Key Points and Questions:

1. Justification: In this week's lesson we are introduced to Paul's favorite term to describe what Jesus did for the human race in His life, death, and resurrection: justification. Justification is a legal term used in a court of law, where a judge justifies the innocent and condemns the ...

Leading Question:

"Is the debate over circumcision in the early church relevant for Christians today?"

Key Passages:

Galatians 2:1-14 – Paul and the apostles agreed that circumcision was not necessary for Gentiles.

Galatians 5:2-6 – Circumcision is not a prerequisite for becoming a Christian.

Acts 16:1-7 – Paul is not opposed to circumcision in and of itself. Timothy is circumcised.

Key Points and Questions:

The Issue of Circumcision: Why were some Jewish believers so insistent that Gentiles be circumcised, while Paul and others strongly disagreed (cf. Acts 15:1-2, 5; Gal 5:2-3, Gal 5:12)? While this question may sound highly irrelevant to us today, understanding this issue is essential to appreciate ...

Leading Question:

"How do we relate to Scripture? And what authority does it have in our lives?"

Key Passages:

Galatians 1:1-24 – Paul defends his apostolic authority and the divine origin of his gospel.

2 Peter 3:15-16 – Paul's writings are classified as Scripture (and difficult to understand).

Galatians 5:12 – Paul desires that those who insist on circumcision would castrate themselves.

Key Points and Questions:

1. Galatians and the Pauline Corpus: Although Paul does not say when he wrote his letter to the Galatians, many scholars believe it is probably the earliest of all of his New Testament letters. If this is true, Paul's letter ...

Leading Question:

"Who was Saul of Tarsus? And why did God choose him as His apostle to the Gentiles?"

Key Passages:

Acts 6:8-7:60 – Arrest and Stoning of Stephen

Acts 8:1-3 – Saul's Persecution of the Church

Acts 9:1-31; 22:1-22; 26:12-18 – Paul's Conversion

Key Points:

1. This Quarter's Lessons: At the outset of this quarter's study on Galatians, I want to make a couple of confessions. First, I should note I am the principal writer behind each of the lessons in the Adult Bible Study Guide on Galatians. In addition, I have also authored the companion book that goes along with the lessons. That book is entitled Galatians: A Fiery Response ...

Opening Question

If Peter were alive today, what message might he have for us?

Introduction

After working through 1st and 2nd Peter, this lesson reviews the major themes of the letters. The author of the lesson suggests they are; (1) the centrality of Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice for our salvation, (2) godly conduct as the proper response to coming judgment, (3) the hope of Christ’s soon return, (4) God’s plan for order in society and the church, and (5) the role of Scripture in our lives.

Study Questions

As this study is more topical in nature, I will simply ask several questions about each ...

Opening Question

What leads people to be skeptical of the return of Jesus to this earth?

Introduction

Peter now takes on skepticism about the 2nd Coming. His conviction is rooted in God’s activities of the past, and the need for a world-wide re-creation and cleansing.

Skepticism in the Last Days

2 Peter 3:1-7 – This letter is intended to “stir up” his hearer’s minds. Once again, Peter turns to the “more sure word” of the O.T. Prophets, but now he adds the apostles who relate Jesus’ commandment.

Peter’s hearers no doubt faced mockers in their day, as we do today. Proclaiming the return of ...

Opening Question

How should a church address teachers who present false ideas?

Introduction

In previous verse, Peter spoke of prophets who pointed to Jesus. But there are false prophets as well. The early church was rather fluid and early on grew without much human “control” or regional hierarchy. This had advantages, certainly, but it was thus also susceptible to all kinds of heresy and false teachers. Peter warns his audience of their influence and behavior, their judgment, and their final end.

False Teachers

2 Peter 2:1-3 – The work of these false teachers was worrisome in many ways: they worked secretly not openly; they ...

Opening Question

What evidence would convince you that the Bible was inspired by God?

Introduction

For Peter, two strong pieces of evidence convicted him of God’s intersection with humanity: first was the Hebrew Prophetic Scriptures, and second was his experience with Jesus. These verses tie these two “proof” together.

The Transfiguration

2 Peter 1:16-18 – Opponents may have suggested Peter was just making up stories about Jesus, much the way some people today make up stories of 9-11. But Peter argues from personal testimony. He was there on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured, He heard the voice from heaven, saw Jesus’ visitors, and ...

Opening Question

What qualities would you most want to be known for after you die?

Introduction

The second epistle bearing Peter’s name is written in a different style of Greek, with differing vocabulary and some themes. This literary difference has been the focus of scholars who have concluded that different authors wrote the two letters. However, the employment of scribes (Silas/Sylvanus as scribe for 1 Peter) would explain this easily. There are a couple strong literary connections between the letters, such as 2 Peter 3:1 where he alludes to previous correspondence, that letter is a follow-up. There is also the need for ...

Opening Question

Is suffering a part of all human experience?

Introduction

Most of the lesson thus far has focused on the progression of Peter’s first letter. This lesson is more topical, reviewing the death, resurrection, and blessed hope of Christians in the return of Jesus.

Suffering and Death of Jesus

1 Peter 1:18, 19; 2:24; 3:18 – This lesson takes us through several verses that speak of Jesus’ suffering on the cross. There is no question that crucifixion was one of the harshest forms of torture, usually lasting up to three days as the victim slowly died of asphyxiation. But Jesus wasn’t on the ...