Galatians 2:11-21

Review

Review Galatians 2:1-10

1.     What was the conclusion that all of the apostles came to about Gentiles and the gospel?  Who all was listed as in agreement?

2.      How did Paul choose to handle and discuss the decisive and sensitive issue of Jews and the gospel?

Explore the Passage

Read the Passage.  

The Confrontation at Antioch: 11-14

Peter

3.      Read Mark 14:66-72.  Why do you think Peter denied Jesus here?

4.      Read Acts 10:9-16, 34-48.  What does Peter learn about the Gentiles and the gospel? (see vs. 15, 24, 47 specifically)

5.      Back to Galatians 2:11-14.  What does Peter do in this situation? (12-13)

Why does he do it?  (12)

What is the result? (13)

Paul

6.      What does Paul do in response to Peter and the other Jews’ actions?

7.       The discussion in Jerusalem had started as private.  Why do you think that Paul doesn’t seek a private audience here?

The First Description of Justification: 15-21

8.       What is Paul’s tone in this passage?

9.      There are many cause/effect relationships in these verses.  Let’s take a look at them.

Vs. 16:  If we believe in Jesus, then:

Vs. 16:  By works of the law:

Vs. 17:  If we say we are in Christ and still need works to be justified, then we are saying:

Vs. 18:  If Paul reinstates the law after saying we don’t need it, then he is:

Vs. 19:  If we die to the law, we:

10.   One common objection to salvation by grace alone is that it encourages people to sin because there are no consequences.  How do Paul’s statements in 19-20 address this faulty objection?

11.   What is the big point of this passage?

Application

Take the Fear of Rejection test.  

12.   Read Romans 5:8-11.

a.       Who initiated restoring your relationship with God?

b.       How did God reconcile you to Himself?

c.       What is your response to God?

13.  What is wrong with the statement, “Thank you, Lord, for accepting me even though I am so unacceptable”?

a.        Are you currently acceptable?

b.       To what degree are you acceptable?

c.       To whom are you acceptable?

d.      Why are you acceptable?

14.  If you are completely and fully acceptable to the perfect Creator of the universe, why do you fear the rejection of others?

15.   Think of a recent situation in which you felt rejected or disapproval (or in which you bended just to avoid these things).

a.       Situation:

b.       Your response:

c.       How believing the truth would have changed your response:

Pray for God to open your eyes to anytime you experience fear of rejection, to remind you of the truth, and to give you the courage to walk in it. 

  

Fear of Rejection Test

Always (1)      Very Often (2)     Often (3)    Sometimes (4)     Seldom (5)    Very Seldom (6)    Never (7)   

_____ 1.  I avoid certain people.

_____ 2. When I sense that someone might reject me, I become nervous and anxious.

_____ 3.  I am uncomfortable around those who are different from me.

_____ 4.  It bothers me when someone is unfriendly to me.

_____ 5.  I am basically shy and unsocial.

_____ 6.  I am critical of others.

_____ 7.  I find myself trying to impress others.

_____ 8.  I become depressed when someone criticizes me.

_____ 9.  I always try to determine what other people think of me.

_____ 10. I don’t understand people and what motivates them.

_____ Total

If your score is:

57-70:  God has apparently given you a very strong appreciation for His love and unconditional acceptance.  You seem to be freed from the fear of rejection that plagues most people.  (Some people who score this high either are greatly deceived of have become callous to their emotions as a way to suppress pain.)

47-54:  The fear of rejection controls your response rarely or only in certain situations.  Again, the only major exceptions are those who are not honest with themselves. 

37-46:  When you experience emotional problems, they may relation to a sense of rejection.  Upon reflection, you will probably relation many of your previous decision to this fear.  Many of your future decision will also be affected by the fear of rejection unless you take direct action to overcome it. 

27-36:  The fear of rejection forms a general backdrop to your life.  There are probably few days that you are not affected in some way by this fear.  Unfortunately, this robs you of the joy and peace your salvation is meant to bring.

0-26:  Experiences of rejection dominate your memory and have probably resulted in a great deal of depression.  These problems will remain until some definitive action is taken.  In other words, this condition will not simply disappear; time alone cannot heal your pain.  You need to experience deep healing in your self-concept, in your relationship with God, and in you relationships with others. 

-taken from The Search for Significance by Robert McGee