Dead to the Law (Galatians 2:17-21)

17 But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! 18 Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. 19 For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law--I stopped trying to meet all its requirements--so that I might live for God. 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) How are we made right with God? (v.17a)
2) What does the Apostle Paul ask those who have sinned after being saved and what is his conclusion? (v.17b-17c)
3) What does Paul tell us that we are if we attempt to keep the law? Why? (v.18-19a) 
4) What happened when we tried to keep the law before we were justified by faith in God and how do we live the Christ life instead? Why? (v.19b)
5) What happened to our "old self"? (v.20a)
6) Who lives within every believer instead? (v.20b)
7) How are we to live the Christ life in these mortal bodies? (v.20c-d)
8) What does the apostle say about the "grace of God" and what makes Christ's death meaningless? (v.21)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) Are you dead to religious traditions (legalism) and alive to the leading of the Holy Spirit?

LIFE LESSONS
10) Christ kept the law perfectly, so that all who believe on Him would no longer have to.

Justified by Faith (Galatians 2:11-16 KJV)

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) How did the Apostle Peter demonstrate his hypocrisy toward Gentile believers and what did the Apostle Paul do about it? (v.11-14)
2) How are Christians justified and what were the Jewish believers reminded of concerning their ability to keep the law? (v.15-16) 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) How do you believe that were you justified as righteous before God?
4) Have you, or anyone you know, ever insisted that other believers work to earn their salvation? If so, briefly describe what happened?

LIFE LESSONS
5) Christians are justified by the grace of God, through faith in the Son of God (Jesus), alone.
6) A "works" oriented gospel is a false gospel.
7) No one can be justified (saved) by "works of the flesh." 
8) We are only justified by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

The Truth of the Gospel (Galatians 2:1-10 KJV)

1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with [me] also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed [to be somewhat] in conference added nothing to me: 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as [the gospel] of the circumcision [was] unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only [they would] that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) How many years passed before Paul went to Jerusalem again and who did he take with him? (v.1)
2) Why did Paul go a second time to Jerusalem? (v.2)
3) What does Paul write about Titus and about the Jewish believers? (v.3-6)
4) What did the Jewish believers come to understand about Paul's divine assignment? (v.7-8)
5) Who extended the right hand of fellowship to Paul and Barnabus? (v.9)
6) What did the Jewish believers want those assigned to the Gentiles to do? (v.10)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Has the Lord assigned you to share the Gospel with any specific group of people (e.g., senior citizens, the homeless, etc.)?

LIFE LESSONS
8) Christians are to share Christ with whomever the Lord sends our way.
9) The Lord often gives certain believers a burden to share the gospel with a specific group of people.

Paul's Reputation Spreads (Galatians 1:18-24 KJV)

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) When did the Paul finally go to Jerusalem, who did he spend time with after his arrival, and how long did he stay? (v.18-19)
2)What was Paul insistent about concerning this epistle? (v.20)
3) Where did the he go after leaving Jerusalem and who did he know in that region? (v.21-22)
4) What did the Jewish disciples hear about Paul and how did they respond to what they heard? (v.23-24)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Have you experienced, or do you know of any individual(s) who can testify to, a dramatic conversion experience, such as the Apostle Paul?
6) If you answered affirmatively to the previous question, how did other believers respond to the individual(s) after their conversion?

LIFE LESSONS
7) At times, the conversion experience can be so dramatic that it changes every aspect of the believer's life.
8) More often than not, the conversion experience is progressive, rather than instantaneous.

Paul's Revelation (Galatians 1:11-17 KJV)

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who revealed the gospel to the Apostle Paul? (v.11-12)
2) What did the apostle do against the church of God, prior to his conversion? Why? (v.13-14)
3) When was Paul separated unto the gospel and with whom did he consult concerning the revelation he received? (v.15-17)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What is your understanding of what the gospel of our Lord Jesus is and who shared it with you?

LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord is able to reveal or illuminate His word to whomever He pleases.

Only One Gospel (Galatians 1:6-10 KJV)

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Why did the Apostle Paul marvel about his brethren at the churches of Galatia? (v.6-7)
2) What did the apostle say about anyone who taught a gospel that differed from the gospel of grace? (v.8-9)
3) Who did Paul seek to please? (v.10)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you, or anyone else you know, strayed from the gospel of grace? If so, what if anything did you do to correct the erroneous belief.

LIFE LESSONS
5) The only true protection from deception in this last hour is to know the Truth of God's word and what the gospel really is.

Greeting! (Galatians 1:1-5 KJV)

1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace [be] to you and peace from God the Father, and [from] our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who commissioned or ordained Paul to be an apostle? (v.1)
2) Who else is credited with writing this epistle and who was it written to? (v.2)
3) What does the Apostle Paul write concerning our Lord Jesus and God the Father? (v.4-5)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) How do you know that an apostle is commissioned or ordained by God? (v.1)
5) How do you encourage and/or edify Christians within your local church, your denomination, or the body of Christ? (v.2)
6) What do you do to glorify the Father and our Lord Jesus in this present evil world? (v.4-5)

LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord ordains those who will serve Him to advance His kingdom on this earth.
8) The Lord commissions those who will minister to and edify the members of His body.