Peace pt. 2

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does “vertical peace” lead to both “internal peace” and “horizontal peace?”

  2. Read Romans 12:14-21. How does the gospel shape the way we interact with both believers and nonbelievers?

  3. Why is it so difficult to bless our enemies?

  4. Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” What does the caveat “so far as it depends on you” mean for us today?

  5. Think about your relationship with your non-Christian friends, family, or co-workers. What are some ways that you can better live out what these verses are describing?

Galatians 3:23-29

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it important that we believe the bad news about ourselves before we believe the good news of the gospel?

  2. What emotions do you feel when you think about the fact that you are an adopted “son of God?”

  3. What does it mean to “put on Christ?”

  4. When it comes to the family of God, why is it important to understand that unity doesn’t equal uniformity?

Galatians 3:15-18

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. How would you seek to summarize Galatians 3:15-18? How do these verses offer you comfort?

  2. What point is Paul seeking to make in verse 16, and why is this point important?

  3. When do you find yourself most tempted to look to your own efforts to make yourself acceptable to God?

  4. Read Galatians 3:18, then read Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 Peter 1:3-5, and Hebrews 9:15. What emotions do you feel whenever you begin to realize that we have an eternal inheritance kept in heaven for us on the basis of a promise?

Galatians 3:10-14

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean that “all who rely on works of the law are under a curse?” How is it evident that “no one is justified before God by the law?”

  2. Read verse 13. How should this verse shape the way that we view ourselves and other Christians? How should it impact the way we interact with nonbelievers?

  3. How is the fact that we have received “the promised Spirit through faith” a blessing?

Galatians 3:6-9

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Discussion Questions:

  1. How does Paul’s reference to Abraham support the point that we are justified by hearing with faith and not by works of the law?

  2. How does Paul’s words in Galatians 3:7 shape the way we view the church?

  3. What does it mean that God “preached the gospel to Abraham?” Why is it important for us to understand that God preached the gospel to Abraham?

  4. In verses 8 and 9, Paul connects God’s blessing for the nations with justification by faith. In other words, justification = God’s blessing. How does this comfort us as we walk through life?

Galatians 3:1-5

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you summarize the point Paul is trying to make here?

  2. Take a few moments and share with one another your testimony. Specifically, when did you hear the gospel and choose to trust in Jesus for your salvation?

  3. How does the phrase “Jesus was publicly portrayed as crucified” impact our evangelism?

  4. Who is the Holy Spirit? Why is the fact that the church had already received the Holy Spirit important to the point Paul is trying to make?

Galatians 2:17-21

Discussion Questions:

  1. Spend a minute rehashing what it means to be justified by faith in Christ.

  2. How would you respond to someone who would argue that “justification by faith” is simply an excuse to continue living in sin?

  3. What does Paul mean in verse 20 when he says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

  4. How do we practically live a life of “faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us?

Galatians 2:15-16

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ? Seek to describe this doctrine in a way that a nonbeliever would understand.

  2. How is the doctrine of justification by faith good news? How is justification by works of the law unattainable?

  3. Why is it important for the church to be constantly be reminded of this doctrine?

  4. How should this doctrine shape the way we live?

Galatians 2:11-14

Discussion Questions:

  1. In looking at these verses, how would you define hypocrisy?

  2. What hypocrisy was Peter guilty of at this point and time? Why was this hypocrisy so dangerous?

  3. How does Paul handle this hypocrisy? As Christians, how should we handle hypocrisy within the church?

  4. How is hypocrisy within the [C]hurch never an excuse to leave the [C]hurch when we understand what the [C]hurch is?

Galatians 2:1-10

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does Paul’s encounter with the other apostles here give further validation to the fact that the gospel of grace is in fact God’s gospel?

  2. How would the demand for Titus to be circumcised be bondage (v.4)?

  3. Have there been times in your life when you have begun to think that your performance counts toward your salvation? What caused you to think this way?

  4. Do you ever feel guilty or insecure in your relationship with God? What might this be telling you about how you view your acceptance with Him?

Galatians 1:11-16, 24

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does Paul’s testimony give validation to the fact that the message he’s proclaiming is God’s message?

  2. Paul’s testimony teaches us that the message of the cross is full of power and grace. How should this shape the way we live our life on a day to day basis?

  3. Galatians 1:16 tells us that God revealed His Son to Paul so that he might preach Jesus among the Gentiles. How should the fact that the message of the cross is for the world shape the things we do as a church?

  4. In verse 24 we see the church in Judea “glorify God” because of Paul’s transformation. In our culture, when transformation takes place in a believers life, do you tend to see the Christian celebrated more than God? If so, how can we be better at “glorifying God” when God works in His people?

Galatians 1:10

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the dangers of living to please man over God?

  2. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9, talks about “becoming a servant to all, that he might win more of them.” What is the difference in becoming a “servant of others” and “living to please others?”

  3. How are you most tempted to fear men and seek their approval? What would change if, in those moments, you lived to please the God who is pleased with you?