June 6-11
Galatians 3-Ephesians 3
GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.
Monday, June 6 Galatians 3 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Refer to Galatians 3:2-3. The Law did not bring saving faith to the Galatians. Read Acts 8:14-17; 19:1-7; and John 7:37-39. What did “receiv[ing] the Spirit” mean to the believers? See also 1 Corinthians 6:11.
Tuesday, June 7 Galatians 4 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. What changes in the Galatian Christians does Galatians 4:15 indicate? What has caused this change? Review the purpose of the Law and its accompanying result in Galatians 3:10-11; 4:8-10; Romans 2:14-15; 3:20; and James 2:10. What are the characteristics of a person who lives by the Law? What has happened to the Galatian Christians’ joy? What kinds of things can rob you of your joy in Christ?
Wednesday, June 8 Galatians 5-6 Read & Listen Online Galatians 5 Read & Listen Online Galatians 6 (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. Read Galatians 5:7-12. After summarizing his arguments, Paul interjects a strong exhortation. Summarize in your own words Paul’s exhortation. Why do you suppose Paul inserted an exhortation at this place in his letter?
Thursday, June 9 Ephesians 1 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
4. Look at Ephesians 1:3-14. In which words does Paul emphasize the work of the Father and the Holy Spirit in choosing us and saving us?
Friday, June 10 Ephesians 2 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
5. Review Ephesians 2:8–10. What is the relationship between grace and works in the life of a believer? (Look back also to 1 Corinthians 13:1–13.)
Saturday, June 11 Ephesians 3 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
6. In Ephesians 3:1-12, St. Paul describes the actions of God for our salvation as a “mystery hidden for ages” (3:9 RSV). Paul says that God’s plan of salvation can be compared to a mystery story. God’s plan was clear to Him from the very beginning, but if you didn’t know the ending, you wouldn’t understand the individual elements in the plan—the intricacies of the plot, so to speak. God’s plan and purpose are not clear to us, therefore, unless we know the solution to the mystery. That solution is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. Once we know the solution, however, we can understand all the intricacies of God’s action. Even Jesus’ disciples did not at first understand the mystery of God’s plan, even though Christ made some sweeping statements about the reason for His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Some of these statements are found in John 3:14-17; Matthew 8:5-12; 21:33-41; 28:18-20. What do these passages say about the purpose of Jesus’ work on earth?
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