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In Galatians 3 Paul identifies one of the greatest issues we face. Paul is talking about when the Galatians first heard the gospel and became believers by faith. The power of the Holy Spirit was clearly at work in their lives. Paul then asks, “Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” The answer of course was, “No.” What Paul is saying is that we are to continue in the Christian life the same way you started: by grace, not performance. Anything else would be ridiculous. Seems easy enough but we are inclined to look to ourselves and trust in our own achievements rather than relying solely on the cross of Christ and the grace of God. Let's not make the mistake of the Galatians.
Read Galatians 3:1-9
1. Why would Paul call the Galatians foolish? What had they done?
2. Read Proverbs 12:15. How does this proverb relate to being foolish?
3. This has been an ongoing theme in Galatians. What is it and why is it so important?
4, What are some ways we are “bewitched” today?
5. How would you answer verse 2?
6. What areas of your life though you “began by the Spirit,” are now trying to perfect by the flesh?
7. What are things that you struggle with thinking you must do, or not do, in order for God to love and be pleased with you?
8. What are the implications of verse 3?
9. In verse five what is the source of the Spirits work? What is Paul’s point?
10. What is the significance of Paul’s quote of Genesis 15:6 in Galatians 3:6-8?
11. What made Abraham righteous?
12. What is the importance of the doctrine that peace with God requires faith alone?