Off the Shelf Sunday School--Galatians

The Bondage of Religious Works (4:8-14)

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even thought my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

?1.????Who are the false gods to whom the Galatian believers were formerly in bondage? Worshipping false gods required making sacrifices, observing certain rules and holy days. Paul calls this a form of slavery. How are observing the commands of Christ such as making disciples, the sacraments and Sunday worship different? ?

2. ??Paul says Christians not only know God but are known by him. What does this mean? Doesn’t God know everyone? This difference has to do with the calling or choice of God (predestination). (Rom 11:5-6; 2 Th 2:13)

3.??Paul shifts from an intellectual to an emotional appeal. He goes from rebuking to embracing them as brothers assuring them that he holds no grudges against them. What does Paul mean when he says that he wants them to become like him because he became like them? (Hint: This has to do with living in grace versus living as a Jew). (1 Cor 9:19-23)

4.??Paul reminds them that the illness that afflicted him during his first preaching to them did not hinder them from accepting his message. On the contrary, they accepted him as though he was an angel or Jesus himself. Why do you think Paul added this?