Grace Series #4, “The Necessity of Grace” (The Power of Grace)

THE NECESSITY OF GRACE

Galatians 2:15-21: select verses (keep the whole letter open)

Galatians 2:20-21, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”

1. What do you notice about Paul’s words regarding himself and his greeting to the Christians in Galatia (1:1-3)? What rebuke and strong warning does he unusually open this letter with? (1:6-9)
2. Why did Paul retell them about God’s calling to him (1:11-16)? How was Paul’s conversion regarded by the early Christians (1:24) and Jesus’ apostles (2:9)?
3. What hypocrisy did Paul challenge that he saw Cephas (Peter) falling into in Antioch (2:11-16)? What mistake were the Galatians making that Paul called them foolish (3:1-3)? What was wrong with what they were trying to do (5:2-4)?
4. Read 2:20. Contrast Paul’s former life with his new life in Christ. Meditate on what this verse means for you personally. What does 2:21 tell us about the necessity of God’s grace in Christ in everyone’s life?
5. What does living by the flesh without Christ look like (5:19-21)? How does this contrast living for Christ following the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power (5:16,22-24)? Note a few ways Paul urges to live by the Spirit: 6:1,2,6,9,10,18. Why is grace necessary in our Christian lives?