Galatians 5

1. 5:1 What is the “yoke of slavery”?
   Class Answers: As a class member pointed out, the verse (in most versions) reads “a yoke of slavery,” so she answered (if I remember right) that this was any type of reliance on our ability to keep the law. In the context of Galatians, the particular “yoke of slavery” or “yoke of bondage” Paul is addressing is the Old Law. See also Acts 15:6-11, especially vs. 10, and Galatians 2:4.
         R. C. Bell compares it to a new master buying a slave and telling him, “I have bought you to set you free.” The slave wouldn’t think about going back to his former cruel master.
2. 5:2-4 Why does Paul condemn circumcision?
   Class Answers: He doesn’t condemn circumcision per se, but he does condemn having it done in order to gain approval from God. To be circumcised for religious reasons is to reinstate the Old Law, to subject oneself to the Old. Law. Circumcision is not part of the Law of Christ.
        Again, to quote R. C. Bell from his book Studies in Galatians (pg. 61-62): “Christian freedom has both a negative and positive aspect. Men are freed from some things and freed for other things…. God has worked out a unique plan by which Christ’s slave becomes his own master! Christ gets the essential law of life obeyed, human nature fulfilled, and his slave in possession of life abounding—all this without slavish drudgery or ‘dragging of feet’ on the part of the slave.”
3. 5:5-6 What two manifestations of faith are mentioned here?
   Class Answers:
   v. 5 – We eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. See Romans 8:23. John Stott (The Message of Galatians) points out that we wait for it, we don’t work for it; Bell compares this hope to the crown of righteousness Paul mentions in 2 Timothy 4:8.
   v. 6 – Faith works through love. See John 13:34,35. A motive of love means we go beyond what the Law would demand.
4. 5:7-8 What does it mean to “obey the truth”?
   Class Answers: Stott writes that it means applying belief to behavior. Obeying the truth means we subject ourselves to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. From Ed Wharton’s The Constitution of Christian Freedom: Legalism hinders submission: I have to do what is required, or commanded, nothing more.
5. 5:6-12 List 7 fallacies of legalism mentioned here. (Legalism: The effort to be justified through keeping the law.)
   Class Answers:
   v. 6 – In Christ, keeping the law means nothing. (NIV: It has no value.)
   v. 7 – It prevents us from obeying the truth, hinders our submission.
   v. 8 – It doesn’t come from Christ, the one who calls us.
   v. 9 – It affects others in the body. Wharton: It leavens the church with disobedience. Bell: This powerless form of religious would destroy the life of the church.
   v. 10 – It confuses us. Wharton: causes trouble.
   v. 11 – It abolishes (removes) the offense of the cross. The “offense of the cross” reflects back to Galatians 3:13 and the shame of the cross. How could we worship a God who was not only killed but went through a humiliating, excruciating death at the hands of lesser men?
   v. 12 – It agitates, unsettles new Christians. Wharton: It mutilates the body.
6. 5:13-15 Freedom in Christ gives us freedom to love one another and serve God. NOT to sin! It’s freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.
   Bell (pg. 66): “As the character of Christ proves, law itself and love are not incompatible; Pharisaic legalism, not law, is what contradicts gospel grace, truth, and love.”
7. 5:16-18 What conflict is described here?
   Class Answers: The conflict between the Spirit and the flesh (NIV – sinful nature). [I didn’t write down anyone else’s answer . Feel free to put a better explanation in the comment section.] Comment from Bell’s book: Flesh is not sinful; it’s just how Satan reaches us.
       We also had a discussion about whether or not we can be led by the Spirit without the Word. See Galatians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:17. The general consensus was that only the Word can reveal the will of God, but the indwelling Spirit helps us to carry out His will. When we follow our best impulses – which we can identify as “best” because of what the Spirit has revealed in the Word – we allow the Spirit to guide us.
8. 5:19-21 Below is the list of “acts of the sinful nature” from the NIV. Beside each word, write a synonym, either from another version or a dictionary.
   Class Answers:
   sexual immorality – fornication, adultery (NKJ)
   impurity – uncleanness
   debauchery – licentiousness, lewdness, indulgence
   Note: These first three are also condemned in the 7th of the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:14)
   idolatry – worship of an image or other material object representing a deity
   witchcraft – sorcery, magic
   Note: Idolatry and witchcraft also break the 1st of the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:2-3).
   hatred – enmities, hostility, animosity
   discord – strife, contentions, quarreling
   jealousy – resentment against a rival or against another’s success. It occurs when someone else wants to take something I own.
   fits of rage – anger, wrath, outbursts of anger
   selfish ambitions – quarrels, factions, disputes
   dissensions –strong disagreements, contentions or quarrels, discord
   factions – heresies, a party spirit (Stott), “a feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in your own little group” (New Living Translation)
   envy – a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to antoher’s advantages, success, possessions. Having to do with wanting other people’s things.
   Note: These have to do with our relationships with others, which would be covered in the 10th commandment (Exodus 20:17) and Leviticus 19:17-18 – “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
   drunkenness – given to intoxication
   orgies – carousing, revelries
   Note: Don’t overlook the “and the like” at the end of this passage. Legalism would say “If it’s not on the list, it’s not sin.” Wharton: We can make our own list. We know the difference between what is good and what is sin.
9. 5:21 What is the result of such a lifestyle?
   Class Answer: Loss of inheritance in the kingdom of God.
10. 5:22-25 Some would look at these verses as a to-do list as opposed to the “do-not” list in verses 19-21. How do we develop these attributes?
    Class Answers: By crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires, following the Spirit’s guide, not just by moral discipline. It is all based on love. Without love, the rest is not possible. Bell: The Holy Spirit is the only tree that produces this fruit.
         It is not a to-do list but is rather what we can reap when we follow the Spirit rather than our selfish desires.
11. 5:26 How does our opinion of ourselves affect the way we treat others?
    Class Answer: Being self-centered leads to competition and envy.

Choose a verse from Chapter 5 to memorize (or to post in a prominent place).
Verses chosen were Galatians 5:13b,14; 5:22; and 5:25.

Galatians 4

1. 4:1-3 How is being under the Law like being an under-age heir?
   Class Answer: As members of the class pointed out, the Law isn’t mentioned in these verses, but in context, that’s the subject of Paul’s discourse and the aim of this comparison. Though an under-age heir will one day benefit from the inheritance, as long as he’s not of age, he has no freedom, being subject to guardians and trustees. Being under the Old Law is like having the promise of an inheritance, but not the reality of the inheritance. The heir has no control, no freedom.
   
   “Religious legal systems are for the moral immature.” Studies in Galatians, R.C. Bell, pg. 49.
   
   Just as during a child’s ministry his guardian may ill-treat and even tyrannize him in ways which his father never intended, so the devil has exploited God’s good law, in order to tyrannize men in ways God never intended. God intended the law to reveal sin and to drive men to Christ; Satan uses it to reveal sin and so drive men to despair. God meant the law as an interim step to man’s justification; Satan uses it as a final step to his condemnation. God meant the law to be a stepping-stone to liberty; Satan uses it as a cul-de-sac, deceiving his dupes into supposing that from its fearful bondage there is no escape. From The Message of Galatians, John Stott, page 105.
2. 4:4-7 Name four blessings we receive because God sent His Son.
   Class Answers:
   v. 5 – redemption (for those under the law)
   v. 5 – full rights of sons, or adoption as sons (for you Gentiles.)
   v. 6 – The Spirit of His Son (Given to us)
   v. 7 – We are no longer slaves, but children of God.
   Note: All three members of the Godhead are mentioned in verse 6: God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Also note the word Abba: The Aramaic word for Father – a personal, pet name. Now the Gentiles – for whom God was formerly far away – can address him personally, as their Father.
3. 4:8-11 How were the Galatians – who had been pagans – turning back to those principles by observing special days?
   Class Answers: They were being legalistic and ritualistic. They were superstitiously observing rituals as if the rituals saved them. They were enslaving themselves to those (Judaizing teachers) who were not gods. 
4. 4:10-11 Why is Paul condemning the observance of special days? (See Colossians 2:16-17)
   Class Answers: They were only shadows of things to come, according to Colossians 2:16-17. The observance of days does not bring salvation. They were judging and being judged by whether or not they observed days and by what they ate and drank.
5. 4:12-16 How had the Galatians welcomed Paul when he first preached to them? (See Acts 13:13 - 14:26)
   Class Answers: As if he were an angel of God or even Jesus himself. They would have torn their eyes out and given them to him if they could. Possible References: In Acts 14:11, those in Lystra at first wanted to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods. In Acts 14:20, after Paul was beaten and thought to be dead, he and Barnabas went to Galatian cities. Note on verse 12: Become like me – free – because I became like you when I was among you.
6. 4:17-18 Who were “those people”? (NIV) What motivated them?
   Class Answers: Judaizing teachers: In 1:7 – “some people.” In 1:9 – anyone who was preaching another gospel. In 3:1 – those trying to bewitch them. They were motivated by envy. They were trying to ruin Paul’s influence.
7. 4:19-20 What was Paul’s motivation?
   Class Answers: He wanted to “form Christ in them,” for them to be conformed to the image of Christ. Instead, it was like going through the pain of childbirth a second time.
8. 4:21-23 What was the difference between Ishmael and Isaac? (Old Testament reference: Genesis 16:1-2, 15; 21:1-3)
   Class Answers: Ishmael – born of a slave, in an ordinary way (NIV), or according to the flesh (NKJV), not an heir. Isaac – born of a free woman, a child of promise (Hebrews 11:11). His birth was not ordinary – Sarah was too old to conceive a child. (Historical Background)
9. 4:24-27 What symbols does Paul use for the two covenants? (OT reference: Exodus 19:1-6; 20:1-2)
   Class Answers: 1) Old Law – Mt. Sinai, Hagar, the present city of Jerusalem, slavery 2) New Law – Jerusalem above, free, children of promise. (Allegorical argument)
10. 4:28-31 How was the “physical” son persecuting the “spiritual” son? (OT reference: Genesis 21:8-10)
    Class Answers: Just as Ishmael taunted Isaac, those who were Jews physically were trying to persecute, or enslave, those who were born again spiritually. (Personal application)

Choose a verse from Chapter 4 to memorize (or to post in a prominent place).

Verses chosen were 4:4-5, 4:6, 4:7, and 4:18.

Galatians 3

1. 3:1-2 What are the answers to the questions Paul asks: “Who has bewitched you?” and “Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?” (NIV)
   Class Answers: 1) The Judaizers – the ones insisting that Gentile Christians should also obey the Old Law; Satan – through Jewish Christians. 2) They received the Spirit through faith.
2. 3:3-5 How were the Galatians trying to attain their goal?
   Class Answers: verse 3 – by human effort. From verse 2 – by works of the law.
3. 3:6 Why does Paul mention Abraham? Why was Abraham considered righteous?
   Class Answers: 1) Because he was their physical father. They were “sons of Abraham.” He lived before the law was enacted. 2) Because he believed God. Our works are proof of our faith as opposed to trying to prove our faith.
4. 3:7-9 Who are the true children of Abraham?
   Class Answers: Those who are his spiritual children, those who believe the promises of God. See verse 16: those who are of faith.
5. 3:10 What are the results of obeying the law? (CB Note: This question should have read: “What are the results of relying on obedience to the law?) What law is Paul talking about?
   Class Answers: 1) Being cursed, for no one can keep the law perfectly (Deuteronomy 27:26). The law can only condemn, it cannot save. 2) The Old Law – the “Book of the Law” – the Law of Moses.
6. 3:11-13 How did Christ become a curse for us?
   Class Answers: He hung on the cross – the sign of a man who has been condemned. See Leviticus 18:5; Habakkuk 2:4; Deuteronomy 21:23; Romans 8:3.
7. 3:14-18 To whom did God give these promises? What were the promises? (See Genesis 12:1-3)
   Class Answers: 1) To Abraham and his seed: Christ and all who are in Christ; 2) God will make him a great nation; He will make his name great; He will bless them that bless Abraham; all families of the earth will be blessed.
8. 3:19-20 What was the purpose of the law? How long would it last?
   Class Answers: From John Stott: “The function of the law was not to bestow salvation but to convince men of their need for it.” See Romans 7:7-10 – The purpose of the law was to define sin. 2) It would last until the Seed (Christ) came.
9. 3:21-23 Did the Old Law stand in the way of God’s promises? What was its limitation?
   Class Answers: 1) No. It reminded us of our sins, which only Christ could remove. 2) It held us prisoners to sin. It can not give life but is the antithesis of life. It couldn’t save, it revealed the sin that alienates God from man.
   Stott’s explanation of “But God is one”: In Christ, both Abraham and Moses come together, because God is one. To Abraham he gave a promise (Genesis 12:1,2), and to Moses he gave a law (Exodus 20). In Christ, both the promise and the law are fulfilled.
10. 3:24-25 What was the purpose of the Law?
    Class Answers: To act as a tutor (ASV), disciplinarian (NRSV), someone put in charge (NIV) to bring us to Christ. The Greek is paidagogus – a custodian, guide, guardian of boys, disciplinarian, like a strict governess. When a man is mature, he doesn’t go back to boarding school.
11. 3:26 How do we become “sons” of God?
    Class Answers: Through faith in Christ Jesus (not by physical birth). Ed Wharton: “full grown sons.” Stott: …who obey their father out of love, not coercion. By adoption, being made full heirs.
12. 3:27 How do we “clothe” ourselves in Christ? What does that mean?
    Class Answers: Through baptism, raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-4). It means we make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14). We envelope ourselves in Christ so that we look like him.
13. 3:28-29 In what ways does belonging to Christ unify us?
    Class Answers: We are one body. Our backgrounds no longer matter; we are all children of God, spiritual brothers and sisters.

Choose a verse from Chapter 3 to memorize (or to post in a prominent place).
Class choices: Galatians 3:21, 3:28, 3:29.

Galatians 2

1. 2:1-3 Who were Barnabas and Titus? What ethnicity were they? (See Acts 4:36,37; 9:26,27; 2 Corinthians 2:13; Titus 1:4,5)
   Class Answers: Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus, who introduced Paul to the apostles in Jerusalem. He was a companion of Paul. Titus was a Greek (Gentile), who also traveled with Paul and later preached for the church in Crete. Even though Titus was a Gentile, he was not “compelled” to be circumcised, even though that’s what the Judaizing teachers would have desired.
2. 2:2 What was the gospel Paul preached among the Gentiles? (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
   Class Answer: The gospel of salvation: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
3. 2:3-5 Why did Paul want a private meeting with the church leaders? Who was trying to interfere?
   Class Answer: He didn’t want to be running “in vain,” to have his ministry rendered fruitless by the false teachers. He wanted to be able to speak to the leaders without the disruption of those were trying to take away freedom in Christ and impose slavery to the Law.
4. 2:6-10 What were the leaders’ responses to Paul’s
   Message - v. 6 – They added nothing to it. As far as they were concerned, the gospel Paul preached lacked nothing.
   Ministry - v. 7 – They saw he had been entrusted with the gospel to the Gentiles.
   Mission - vv. 9-10 – They gave him the right hand of fellowship, asking him only that he and Barnabas continue to remember the poor.
   Comment by John Stott: The meeting proved there was no rift among the apostles.
5. 2:11-14 How was Peter “clearly in the wrong”? What caused him to act this way?
   Answer: When men came from Jerusalem (or James), Peter withdrew from socializing with the Gentiles. In doing so, he was trying to force the Gentiles to live by Jewish customs. Why? He was afraid of those who came from Jerusalem – afraid of crossing them.
6. 2:15-16 By what are we justified? (Romans 4:1-3) Does this mean we’re not subject to any law? (See James 2:8)
   Answer: Not by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. James 2:8 states that we are subject to the “Royal” law of Christ: to love our neighbors as ourselves. Obedience to commandments of Christ by itself doesn’t save us, but it’s evidence of our faith. How can God know we believe unless we obey, as Abraham did?
7. 2:17 In what way would Christ promote sin?
   Answer: If, while claiming to be justified in Christ, we willfully sin. But that’s not the case. Justification in Christ doesn’t give us license to sin (Romans 6:1,2). Trying to follow the law will make us lawbreakers, because it is impossible to keep perfectly.
8. 2:18 What had Paul destroyed?
   Answer: His old way of life, his allegiance to the Old Law. Why bring that back again? 1:23 – In the past, Paul had tried to destroy the church. So he had destroyed that life of destruction.
9. 2:19-20 How had Paul been “crucified with Christ”?
   Answer: Paul’s identity was gone; he was now living by faith. The old Paul/Saul was gone. We are spirits in a body, not merely bodies with spirits. If our will – our spirit – has been replaced with the Spirit of Christ, then that renewed spirit will be manifest in what we do with our physical bodies.
10. 2:21 How could Christ “die for nothing”?
    Answer: If we can be righteous through the law, then Christ’s death was in vain. Commentary: To mingle legalism with grace makes grace a mockery.

Choose a verse from Chapter 2 to memorize (or to post in a prominent place).

Verses chosen: Galatians 2:16 and 2:20.

Studies in Acts–Lesson 9

Read Acts 14:21 – 15:41

1. In Derbe Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel and converted many. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. (14:21)
2. Upon the return visit to the churches, Paul and Barnabas:
   a. Preached and gave the Lord's Supper
   b. Preached and appointed elders (14:22-23) Note: Although it doesn’t specifically say they preached, general consensus was that it was probably involved in the encouragement.
   c. Encouraged the brethren (14:22)
3. Pisidia and Pamphylia were
   a. Cities
   b. Villages
   c. Provinces (14:24)
4. Upon the second visit to Perga, they
   a. Passed through
   b. Preached and appointed elders
   c. Just preached (14:25) Note: There’s no record that they preached there earlier (Acts 13:13-14).
5. Attalia was
   a. A seaport (14:25,26)
   b. A town in the journey where they preached
   c. A province
6. Back at Antioch, Paul and Barnabas spoke about the Gentiles, saying:
   a. God gave them a great opportunity
   b. God had baptized them in the Holy Spirit also
   c. God had opened a door of faith unto them (14:27)
7. What was taught by certain men from Judea that caused such a stir?
   Answer: They taught that Gentile Christians should be circumcised. (15:1)
8. Why go to the apostles and elders about the trouble?
   Answer: 1) The apostles had authority (Matthew 28:18-20); 2) The troublemakers had come from Jerusalem, so they were going to the source. 3) They couldn’t come to an agreement among themselves. (15:2)
9. What encouragement did Paul and Barnabas have on their way to Jerusalem?
   Answer: When they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, the believers in Phoenicia and Samaria rejoiced. (15:3)
10. Who especially objected to uncircumcised Christians? What sect?
    Answer: Believers from the sect of the Pharisees (14:5). They not only wanted to bind circumcision, but the whole law of Moses. Note: Verse 4 tells us that the whole church was present when Paul and Barnabas gave their report. Verse 6 says that only the apostles and elders met to “consider the matter.”
11. Who said that God had chosen him that by his mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe?
    Answer: Peter (15:8). Note: In Acts 10:34-35, Peter states that he realizes that God is not partial to one group of people over another.
12. What was the “yoke” which neither the fathers nor the Jews of Peter’s day could bear?
    Answer: The law of Moses (15:10). They were “putting God to the test” – disclaiming that God had opened the gospel to the Gentiles. V. 11 – “On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
13. What was the point of argument in the speeches of Paul and Barnabas?
    Answer: God had performed signs and wonders among the Gentiles, indicating His approval. (15:12)
14. What did James add that had not been said before?
    Answers: 1) 15:15 - This was a fulfillment of prophecy (Amos 9:11,12); 2) That they write the Gentiles not to be troubled by the Judaizing teachers. (15:19)
15. Why ask the Gentiles to abstain from “what is strangled, and from blood”?
    Answer: So the Gentiles and Jews could eat together in clear conscience. Not eating of these meats was part of the Jewish culture (Leviticus 17:10-14), a thing Jews couldn’t do in good conscience – so it was a matter of respect for their Jewish brethren. See 1 Corinthians 8 for Paul’s in-depth discussion of this principle.
    Here’s what Lenski (Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles) writes about this attitude (pg. 616)
    [Paul’s] prime consideration was love….Many who today deem themselves strong are impotent in this application of love. They scorn the idea that they should consider their brethren, they hurt and stagger the weak without a qualm, and they offend where they are themselves often wrong in fact and where the offense is gratuitous and wholly uncalled for. Go to school to James and take a full course with Paul. One thing that made them so great was this considerate love for the brethren.
16. What purpose did Paul have in making a second journey?
    Answer: To see how the believers were doing. (15:36)
17. What was the disagreement over John Mark?
    Answer: He had deserted them in Perga, Pamphylia (15:38). Note: Barnabas and John Mark were cousins (Colossians 4:10). Also, Barnabas was a “native of Cyprus” (Acts 4:36), so it appears that Barnabas and Mark were going home. Later, Paul and John Mark became reconciled, because in Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 1:24, Mark was with him, and he asked for Mark at the end of his life (2 Timothy 4:11).

Luke 5 and 6

1. 5:1-11 What was Peter’s reaction when they caught all the fish?
   Comments: He fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Jesus’ response? “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” Peter became conscious of his sinfulness in the presence of a man he perceived must be God and therefore holy. Discussion: If they had not let down the nets, would they have caught any fish? Their obedience in letting down their nets demonstrated their trust in His ability to give them success in their endeavor. This is especially true if we want to be “fishers of men.”
2. 5:12-16 What instruction did Christ give to the man after He had healed him from leprosy?
   Comments: He told him to tell no one. However, according to Mark’s version (1:45),  the man “went out and proclaimed it freely.” Jesus also told him to show himself to a priest and to make an offering, according to the Law (Leviticus 14:1-4). This allowed him to regain his social standing in the community.
3. 5:17-26 How did Jesus prove to the crowd that He could forgive sins?
   Comments: This was actually a proof to the Pharisees and Scribes who had come from all over to challenge Jesus. In order to prove to them He had the power to forgive sins, He healed the paralytic.
   William Hendriksen breaks up the incident into five segments:
   1) Battle brewing (v. 17)
   2) Challenge (vv. 18-20)
   3) Attack (v. 21)
   4) Victory (vv. 22-25)
   5) Celebration (v. 26)
4. 5:27-32 Why did Jesus eat with Levi, knowing who he was and knowing He would be criticized for it? Comments: The purpose for which Christ came was to seek and save the lost. Levi (aka Matthew) had recognized his own sin. He had left all (v. 28), and he was giving his friends an opportunity to eat with his savior. Note that the Pharisees and scribes complained against the disciples. Perhaps they thought they would be vulnerable to the criticism. However, Jesus answered them. He knew who they were really criticizing.
5. 5:33-39 Why didn’t Jesus’ disciples fast? Comments: Fasting was (is) done when there’s a need, when one is mourning, or seeking to be more spiritual, or seeking an answer through prayer and fasting. When Jesus was with the disciples, they lacked nothing. When the bridegroom is with the wedding guests, it is a time of rejoicing, not mourning. William Hendriksen: “Jesus is bringing a message of faith and freedom, not fear and fasting.”
6. 6:1-11 What was Jesus’ attitude toward the Sabbath?
   Comments: He is Lord of the Sabbath. Using David’s eating of the showbread as an example, He teaches that necessity is more important than ceremonial law. Doing good is what is important. Note: Again, the Pharisees’ criticism was against the disciples, and again, Jesus answers them.
7. 6:12-16 What did Jesus do the night before He called twelve disciples to be His apostles?
   Comments: He prayed all night. No one understood Jesus like the Father did. In this example, He teaches us how important prayer is before we make important decisions.
8. 6:17-19 Out of all who came to Jesus to be healed, what percentage were healed?
   Comments: 100%. All some had to do was to touch Him. Healing power emanated from His body.
9. 6:20-26 Why would a person rejoice for being persecuted?
   Comments: Because they’re pleasing God, and they know that their reward will be much greater than their sacrifice. They have passed the testing of their faith! See also Romans 8:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:17,18.
10. 6:27-38 What is the reward for showing the proper love toward others?
    Comments: You will be children of the Most High. v. 38: “Give, and it will be given you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap.”
11. 6:39-45 What is the true measure of a man’s life?
    Comments: The fruit he bears. Know your shortcomings. Eventually, in periods of stress, your true heart will be displayed. If you “think on the things” listed in Philippians 4:8, you will not be ashamed of what is displayed.
12. 6:46-49 A person who hears the words of Christ and does them is compared to what?
    Comments: A house built on a rock. This follows naturally on verse 45. If we build our faith on what’s good, we are building on a rock which cannot be shaken. Consider: What value does “doing” have, practically speaking? Doing does not save us – the blood of Christ saves us. But doing shows our trust and strengthens our faith.

Mark 7 and 8 Class Comments

1. 7:1-13    In the scribes’ and Pharisees’ minds, what was the benefit of keeping their traditions? What was at least one tradition that resulted in neglect of family responsibilities? Comments: They believed that by keeping certain external laws, they were pleasing God, even if their hearts weren’t right. Traditions are a source of comfort – the reason so many enjoy keeping family traditions. It helps you know where you’ve come from. In naming possessions as “Corban” (dedicating them to God while still retaining their use), they neglected one of the Ten Commandments, which was to honor their parents. “Corban” couldn’t be used to help their parents.
2. 7:14-23    Does verse 15 mean that there can be no harm from eating with unwashed hands? Comments: Jesus is talking about the heart being defiled, not the physical body. Unwashed hands can lead to the spread of disease, but the Pharisees and scribes were religious leaders, not doctors. Yet they seemed to be more concerned about physical than spiritual defilement. Complaining, gossiping, and negative talk harm both ourselves and those who listen to us.
3. 7:24-30    After debating with Jewish leaders about their traditions, where did Jesus go? Can you estimate by the map how far he traveled? Was it primarily a Jewish or Gentile region? [See Appendix 1, Geographical Notes.] Comments: Tyre was about 35 miles away, and Sidon a further 20 miles. When Jesus went back to the Sea of Galilee, He made a circuitous route, going southeast from Sidon down into Decapolis (region of 10 cities). Tyre and Sidon were primarily Gentile. He went up there, not wishing to be discovered, but the SyroPhoenician woman found Him anyway.
4. 7:31-37    What did Jesus do before he spoke the words that healed the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment? Comments: He 1) took the man aside, 2) put his fingers in the man’s ears, 3) spat [on his finger?], 4) touched the man’s tongue, 5) look up into heaven, and 6) sighed. Again, He instructed witnesses not to tell anyone, but “the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.” They were all astonished.
5. 8:1-10    What were the only circumstances under which the crowd would leave? Comments: My original thought on this was that He had to send them away before they would go (verses 3,9), that physical food was not on their minds. Other comments were that they had to eat before they could leave, and Jesus provided that. Also, they stayed for healing, and maybe because they didn’t want to miss anything!
6. 8:13-21    With what tone of voice do you hear Jesus saying the words recorded in verses 17 through 21? What did the disciples not understand? Comments: He chided them, with the tone of voice that might say, “Just how dumb are you"? As their Savior, He was sad and exasperated. He was thinking about the bad influence of the Pharisees, and they were thinking about physical bread. Even though they had been eager to follow Jesus, they still had a cultural tradition of keeping the physical laws required by the Mosaic law, especially as it was taught by the religious leaders of the day..
7. 8:22-26    What is unique about the healing of the blind man of Bethsaida? Comments: It appears to happen gradually, unlike the deaf man in 7:31-37, who was immediately healed. One suggestion was that maybe the man’s faith needed to be increased gradually, since it was his friends that brought him to Jesus. Did the word steadfastly used in the American Standard Version have any bearing on this? Other translations translate it “looked intently,” “looked up,” and “his eyes were opened.” According to Strong’s Dictionary, the transliterated Greek word is diablepō, which means “to look through, penetrate by vision, to look fixedly, stare straight before one, to see clearly.”
8. 8:27-33    What connection might there be between verses 29 (Peter’s confession) and his rebuke (verse 32)? Comments: Peter was confused – and maybe also a little over-confident. How could someone he had just confessed as the Messiah be subject to the humiliation Jesus described? The side note in the Women’s Study Bible suggests that the reason Jesus cautioned His disciples not to tell anyone exactly who He was is because they still didn’t understand His mission..
9. 8:34-9:1    What does it mean to take up your cross? How do the verses that follow explain what it means? Comments: To take up a cross is to deny oneself, to be willing to give our lives, to not be ashamed of the gospel. To the people living at that time, the cross meant death. To take up your cross was to be on the road to crucifixion.
   

Matthew 17-19 Class Comments

1. 17:1-13 Which disciples did Jesus choose to take with Him to the high mountain? What was Peter’s reaction when he witnessed the transfiguration? Class Answers: Peter, James, and John, the same men Jesus requested to accompany him in the raising up of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37) and for prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). Peter wanted to build three tabernacles, three tents. Apparently, he wanted Moses and Elijah to stay a while. CB note: We didn’t bring this up, but I’ve often wondered how Peter recognized Moses and Elijah. At this reading, I noticed that Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus. It would be easy from their conversation for Peter to determine who they were.
2. 17:14-21 Why couldn’t the disciples cure the epileptic boy? [Consider: How does our lack of faith limit our ability to do God’s will?] Class Answers: They couldn’t cure the epileptic boy because of their lack of faith. We often demonstrate our lack of faith when we know God’s will in a matter, but can’t believe that He will help us carry it out. An example: A lack of funds is all there is to keep us from going into a foreign mission field. Rather than making a commitment, we give up before we even try.
3. 17:22-23  What distressed the disciples? Class Answers: Jesus’ statement that the Son of Man would be killed. They obviously identified Him as the Son of Man, but didn’t seem to hear the part about His being raised up. Peter had a similar reaction back in 16:22. When you examine that verse, you realize that when Peter told Jesus, “this shall not happen to You!” he was also referring to the resurrection.
4. 17:24-27  Besides being amazed at Jesus' reading Peter's mind and the fish with a coin in its mouth, what lesson can we learn from Jesus here? Class Answers: 1) That we should pay taxes to whom taxes are due; 2) Even the King obeys earthly ordinances; 3) Jesus did not want to offend the tax collector needlessly; 4) Jesus considered that He and the disciples were “sons” of the temple. In fact, as God, the temple was His; 5) Jesus didn’t conjure up any money, though he could have. Rather, Peter had to go find it.
5. 18:1-5 What is a characteristic of those who want to be part of the kingdom of heaven? Class Answers: Humility. Be converted and become humble; be humble like a little child; use humility in accepting children.
6. 18:6-9 What would a person deserve who would cause a little child to stumble in his belief? Class Answers: A millstone hung around the person’s neck and drowned in a deep sea. Short answer: death. This would include  stifling a child’s growth in God intentionally or unintentionally, by not giving the child a good example of trust in God.
7. 18:10-20 How does Jesus’ story of the lost sheep relate to His instruction about restoring a church member who sins against another member? Class Answers: 1) It’s worse for a believer to fall than never have to believed; 2) We must do everything we can to restore a brother. This is not a list of legal steps we must take before we can legally “oust” someone from the church. They are steps we take to restore someone to the fold, the fellowship of his or her brothers and sisters.
8. 18:21-35 What recognition will help us forgive others? Class Answer: That we have more to be forgiven for than we need to forgive. We owe much more to God than anyone owes us.
9. 19:1-12 What was the motive for the question about marriage? In the beginning, what was God’s plan for marriage? Class Answers: The Pharisees were again trying to trap Him. When He answered from the passage in Genesis 2:24, they were hoping He would either condemn Moses or excuse divorce. Instead, He explained Moses’ permitting certificates of divorce on the hardness of their hearts, referring to the Pharisees’ ancestors. God’s original plan for marriage was always one man married to one woman for life. Any other arrangement involves adultery and sin.
10. 19:13-15  Why would Jesus' disciples respond to the children in this way? How can we be guilty of the same thing? Class Answers: Because they misunderstood the importance of children. Teaching children while they’re young is important to their spiritual growth. We can become like Jesus’ disciples when we think we have nothing to learn from children.
11. 19:16-30 How hard is it for the rich to enter heaven? [Consider: How does Jesus’ response in verse 26 answer the young man’s question in verse 16?] Class Answers: It’s impossible, if he thinks he has to do something to enter heaven, or if he values his riches more than he does the kingdom. In verse 16, the young man asked what he could do, what law he could follow that would make him perfect. In verse 26 Jesus teaches that only God can save; we can do nothing to earn salvation.

Matthew 11-13 Class Comments

1. 11:1-19 How did Jesus answer John’s question? Where was John at the time? Class Answers: vv. 5-6: “Go and tell John the things that you hear and see.” Jesus didn’t answer the question directly; he apparently knew that identifying his works would be enough for John. We didn’t come to a satisfactory conclusion as to why John asked the question. Hadn’t he prophesied of Christ? Didn’t he know Jesus was the Messiah? We concluded that either John didn’t know the full extent of Jesus’ identity, or that he sent his disciples to Jesus for their benefit. v. 2 – John was in prison at the time, for telling Herod his marriage to Herodias was illegal (Matthew 14:1-5).
   
2. 11:20-24 Why was Jesus so angry with Chorazin and Bethsaida? Class Answer: Because they wouldn’t repent, even after seeing the mighty works Jesus did. They would be judged more harshly than Tyre and Sidon (condemned in extreme terms in Ezekiel 26-28) and Sodom, which was burned to the ground for its depravity (Genesis 19).
   
3. 11:25-28 To whom do the teachings of Jesus appeal? (verses 25, 28) Class Answers: Little children, and those who labor and are heavy-laden. When we are feeling too “wise and prudent” is when we should remember to accept Jesus’ teachings as if we were little children.
   
4. 12:1-21 What did the Pharisees criticize Jesus for? Class Answers: vv. 1-2 -for plucking heads of grain and eating them on the Sabbath and vv. 9-10 - for healing a man on the Sabbath. We discussed at length whether or not Jesus really was breaking the Sabbath and decided He was not. The Pharisees knew His disciples were not “harvesting”; they were just trying to find something to accuse Him of. Our strongest motivation is to do what’s good for other people, not to be bound by our own interpretation of law.
   
5. 12:22-37 What did the Pharisees accuse Jesus of after He cured the blind and mute demoniac? What does Jesus call them in response? Class Answers: v. 24 – That he cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub. v. 34 – He calls them a brood of vipers. If we take the whole passage in context, after they glibly accuse him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, he accuses them of 1) hypocrisy (v. 27); 2) blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (31); and 3) being evil, as demonstrated by their words (35)
   
6. 12:38-45 Who would “rise up” and condemn the scribes and Pharisees for their disbelief? To what does He compare them in verses 43-45? Class Answers: v. 41 – The men of Nineveh, who repented when Jonah preached; v. 42 – The Queen of Sheba (the South), who came from far away to hear Solomon. v. 45 – He compares them to a man who is filled with eight wicked spirits.
   
7. 12:46-50 Who does Jesus consider as his family? Class Answer: Those who do the Father’s will. This wasn’t a rejection of His physical family, but a teaching moment: All those who do His Father’s will are His family. (Luke 8:21)
   
8. 13:1-23 What is at least one lesson you learn from the Parable of the Sower? Class Answers: 1) If our faith is shallow, it will be difficult to sustain. 2) Good soil reproduces. 3) Acceptance of God indicates the state of our heart. 4) When I receive a “nugget” of truth, I can do four things with it: a) reject what I don’t understand; b) like what I hear, but give in to peer pressure and not pursue it any further; c) pursue it for a little while, and then become distracted by other things; or d) study it, understand it, make it a part of my life and tell others about it. (Hope I represented that last point okay, Beverly!)
   
9. 13:10-17, 34-35 Why did Jesus speak in parables? Class Answer: To reveal his will only to those who wanted to see, hear, and understand. To hide it from those who didn’t want to understand.
   
10. 13:24-30, 36-43 What is the lesson of the Parable of the Weeds (Tares)? Class Answer: That God allows followers of Satan and followers of God to live beside each other until the time of judgment. The wicked are allowed to live because of the righteous. [We were not completely satisfied with this answer.]
    
11. 13:31-33 What are the lessons of the Parable of the Mustard Seed and Parable of the Yeast (Leaven)? Class Answers: Like a mustard seed, the kingdom of heaven starts very small and increases in size to cover the whole earth; like leaven, it permeates – influences – everything around it.
    
12. 13:44-53 What other things does Jesus compare with the kingdom of heaven? Class Answer: 44 – hidden treasure; 45 – a pearl of great price; 47 – a dragnet, separating the good from the bad, when gathered. One man just stumbles on his hidden treasure; the other man actively seeks it. In both cases, they realize its value. We liked verse 52, which reminds us that we find new “nuggets” of truth even in scriptures we may have studied again and again.
    
13. 13:54-58 How was Jesus treated in his hometown? Class answer: With disdain. Had he been from another town, they might have admired him, but they knew him too well. They had seen him as a child. They thought he was elevating himself above what he should.