Day One: Read Galatians 5:16 18; Walking in the Spirit
Fall 2010
Lesson7: Galatians 5:16–26
Study Tip:
- Before you begin, pray and ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you through this lesson.
Just as Jesus Christ is the primary Person behind justification, the Holy Spirit is the primary Person behind sanctification. A believer can no more sanctify himself than he could have saved himself in the first place. He cannot live the Christian life by his own resources any more than he could have saved himself by his own resources...
Paul’s argument is that the Holy Spirit makes the life of faith work. Were it not for the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, the life of faith would be no more spiritually productive or acceptable to God than the law of life.
—John MacArthur(Galatians: The Wondrous Grace of God, p. 99)
Day One: Read Galatians 5:16–18; Walking in the Spirit
1.What is implied by the use of the word “walk” in verse 16?
2.Define “the flesh”in your own words.
3.How do the following passages describe different aspects of the flesh?
a.Matthew 26:41
b.Romans 7:18–23
c.Romans 8:5–9
4.How does 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 encourage you in your battle against sin?
5.According to John 14:26, what does the Holy Spirit do in the life of a believer?
6.Can a believer live under the control of the law and the Spirit at the same time? Explain your answer.
Day Two:Read Galatians 5:19–21; Walking in the Flesh
1.In these verses, Paul separates the works of the flesh into three general categories—sexual sin (verse 19), religious sin (verse 20), and interpersonal/relationship sin (verses 20–21). Is this a partial or complete list of sins? Support your answer from this text.
2.What is Paul’s warning in verse 21, and to whom is it addressed?
3.What practical steps can you take this week to fight against the sinsyou battle?Ask the Lord to help you recognize and confess sin in your life.
Day Three: Read Galatians 5:22–23;The Fruit of the Spirit, Part One
1.Why do you think the fruit of the Spirit is described singularly, even though it is demonstrated through nine different characteristics?
2.What do the following passages teach about LOVE?
a.1 John 4:7–8, 20–21
b.Romans 5:5, 8
c.John 15:13
3.How is a Christian’s JOY different from finding one’s happiness in circumstances? See 1 Peter 1:6–8 and Philippians 4:4.
a.From John 15:9–11, how is this kind of joy possible?
b.Does your life reflect this kind of joy? Why or why not?
4.What do the following passages teach about PEACE?
a.John 14:26–27
b.Romans 8:28
c.Philippians 4:6–7,9
Day Four:Re-read Galatians 5:22–23; The Fruit of the Spirit, Part Two
1.In 2 Peter 3:9, how is God’s PATIENCE evident towards men?
a.According to Colossians 3:12–13, how dobelievers evidence patience toward each other?
2.In Matthew 11:28–30, the Greek word for “easy” can also be translated as “kind.” Contrast God’s KINDNESSwith the yoke of the law.
a.How does Romans 2:4deepen your understanding of God’s kindness?
b.How would practicing Ephesians 4:32 and 2 Timothy 2:24 demonstrate God’s kindness to others?
3.What do the following texts reveal about GOODNESS?
a.Romans 3:10–12
b.Ephesians 2:8–10
c.2 Thessalonians 1:11–12
4.What do you learn about God’sFAITHFULNESS in Deuteronomy 32:4, Lamentations 3:22, and
1 Thessalonians 5:24?
a.According to Colossians 3:23, to whom are we being faithful when we serve others?
Day Five:Read Galatians 5:22–26; The Fruit of the Spirit, Part Three
1.In this context, GENTLENESScan be described asstrength under controland submission under pressure. According to1 Peter 2:21–23 and Psalm 60:12,how is this possible?
2.SELF-CONTROL is Spirit-empowered will power.According to Hebrews 12:11,1 Timothy 4:7b–8, and 1 Corinthians 9:25–27 tell us are the difficulties and rewards of self-control in the life of a believer?
3.How has the fruit of the Spirit been evident in your life this week?
a.How do you need grow?
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Luedke/Peters November 3, 2010
NOTES