Author Archives: Michael W.

Acts 15; Galatians 2 – November 3, 2019

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Download discussion questions:  Acts 15; Galatians 2

Our group began studying the letter that James wrote by first looking at two other New Testament passages that mention him.

Acts 15 records a meeting of the early church held in Jerusalem, probably around AD48-49.[1]  The council was led by James and addressed the very real question of the relationship between the law practiced by Jews and the gospel being preached, especially by Paul.  “But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved’” (Acts 15:1). Continue reading →

A New Study of the Letter of James

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Sola Fides – Faith Alone – was and is one of the slogans summarizing the Reformation.  But then what do we do with the letter that James wrote, saying, among other things, “a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”?

Can we trust Scripture to provide us with a consistent, coherent message?  Or do we need to be selective in choosing the parts that we like best?  If we believe that all parts of the Bible are inspired by the Holy Spirit, how do we fit together such seemingly contrasting ideas?

Starting November 3, 2019, our study will be exploring the book that James wrote.  Join us as we discuss this book and all the questions it raises.  If God is telling a Larger Story throughout His Word, how are all the pieces of that Story woven seamlessly together?

Galatians 6:9-18 HANDOUT for January 27, 2019

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Download discussion questions:  Galatians 6:9-18
Calvary Institute – Index

Here is the passage for Sunday.  Click the “Download…” link above.

Before looking at the discussion questions on the right side of the page, read through the passage itself once or twice.

  • What questions do you have as you read?
  • What parts of the passage would you like our group to discuss when we meet on Sunday morning?
  • How does this passage follow what Paul has said before? What new ideas does he introduce?
  • What might the first-century Galatian Christians have been thinking after reading this conclusion of Paul’s letter to them?

 

Galatians 5:22 – 6:10 HANDOUT for January 20, 2019

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Download discussion questions:  Galatians 5:22 – 6:10
Calvary Institute – Index

Here is the passage for Sunday.  Click the “Download…” link above.

Before looking at the discussion questions on the right side of the page, read through the passage itself once or twice.

  • What questions do you have as you read?
  • What parts of the passage would you like our group to discuss when we meet on Sunday morning?
  • How does this passage follow what Paul has said before? What new ideas does he introduce?
  • How might Soul Care help you in the application of this passage?

Galatians 5:16-26 HANDOUT for January 13, 2019

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Download discussion questions:  Galatians 5:16-26
Calvary Institute – Fall 2018 Index

Here is the passage for Sunday.  Click the “Download…” link above.

Before looking at the discussion questions on the right side of the page, read through the passage itself once or twice.

  • What questions do you have as you read?
  • What parts of the passage would you like our group to discuss when we meet on Sunday morning?
  • How does this passage follow what Paul has said before? What new ideas does he introduce?

Galatians 5:13-18 January 6, 2019

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Download discussion questions:  Galatians 5:13-18
Calvary Institute Index

Freedom

In an earlier discussion we had considered the qualification Paul put on freedom in Galatians 5:13.  This week’s discussion began on that same topic of the freedom Christ calls us into – what it is and what it is not:

“God promised to make you free. He never promised to make you independent.”
We are most free when we are most willing to acknowledge our interdependence. Adam and Eve were free until they saw each other as separate and autonomous, and afraid of their Creator.[1]

Continue reading →

Galatians 5:13-18 HANDOUT for January 6, 2019

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Download discussion questions:  Galatians 5:13-18
Calvary Institute Index

Here is the passage for Sunday.  Click the “Download…” link above.

Before looking at the discussion questions on the right side of the page, read through the passage itself once or twice.

  • What questions do you have as you read?
  • What parts of the passage would you like our group to discuss when we meet on Sunday morning?
  • How does this passage follow what Paul has said before? What new ideas does he introduce?

Galatians 5:5-15 December 16, 2018

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Download discussion questions:  Galatians 5:5-15
Calvary Institute – Fall 2018 Index

Our group began with a quotation reminding us of the importance of diligent study of even difficult or uncomfortable ideas in Scripture and in theology:

If our religion is something objective, then we must never avert our eyes from those elements in it which seem puzzling or repellent; for it will be precisely the puzzling or the repellent which conceals what we do not yet know and need to know.[1]

The passage under study may not have been a particularly difficult section of Scripture, but the reminder is always appropriate. Continue reading →