Besober Be Vigilant

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:KJV

Part of our Christian walk is to be alert to danger that is around us. The Scriptures are filled with warnings. This lion cub was one of five that surrounded us in the bush safari. We were in a open land rover with the ability to move away from the lions. We were curious but aware of the danger. Christians need to be alert to the many dangers that surround us as we move through this life. One of the dangers that we face is that of allowing ourselves to be shacked by religion rather than living in God's Grace.
For those interested I am attaching our next study in Galatians.

Galatians
Adult/Bible Study Lesson 7 September 13, 2009
Shackled or Unshackled?– Galatians 5:1-12

“Watch Out!” “Stop!” We are all familiar with words of warning shouted at times of impending danger. Remember the concerned cry of a parent who protected us by a warning to be careful? Sometimes we wisely responded and we were spared an injury. Other times we refused to listen and suffered the hurtful consequences. Galatians is Paul’s warning to the Gentile believers. If they heed his warning, they will be spared the dangers of legalism.
Galatians 5:1 is both a summary and a transition – a transition from Paul’s doctrine of liberty (chapters 3 & 4)to his life of liberty (chapters 5 & 6). The Gentile Christians had been set free from sin by faith in Christ, but they were making themselves dependent upon a system of regulations and rules. Paul speaks out: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” He is warning them not to allow their Christian liberty to be endangered by legalism. Keep in focus the liberty that is in Christ Jesus!
KEY VERSE: “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. ” Galatians 5:5
I. Stand in Your Freedom – Gal. 5:1
1. What command did Paul set before the Galatians? (5:1)
2. Why did Paul challenge the Christians to be resolute? (5:1)
3. What implications come along with the picture of a “yoke of bondage”?
4. What did Jesus say about His yoke in Matthew 11:29-30?

II. A Strong Warning – Gal. 5:2-6
5. Paul is very concerned and warns them about becoming entangled in legalism. What four consequences does he indicate could happen if they follow circumcision and the law? (5:2-5)
a. V.2______________________________________________
b. V.3______________________________________________
c. V.4______________________________________________
d. V.5______________________________________________

6. How did Paul sum up the significance of circumcision? (5:6)
7. What really matters? (5:6)
8. What does “falling from grace” mean in this context? (5:4)
9. Up to verse 5 Paul has been addressing the Galatians as “you”, what change does he make in verse 5? What is he emphasizing in this verse?

III. Severe Condemnation – Gal. 5:7-12
10. How did Paul describe the Galatians’ early Christian experience? (5:7)
11. What question does Paul ask them? What is being referred to by the word “truth”?
12. Did this hindrance come from God? (5:8)
13. How had false teaching affected the Galatian church? (5:8-9) See also Matthew 16:6 & 12
14. What is the cure for the problem of the leaven? See 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7.
15. Why was Paul optimistic about the Galatians? (5:10)
16. What was Paul’s desire regarding the one who was troubling them with false doctrine? (5:10)
17. Reading between the lines, it seems that these Judaizers were accusing Paul of preaching circumcision when it worked for him. How does he refute such accusations? (5:11)
18. What is true about the cross? (5:11) See 1 Corinthians 1:23.
19. What strong words did Paul have for the Judaizers? (5:12)