IBC Richmond

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What are the two metaphors for bondage in this passage? In what way does the law restrict? • Who is the “faith” in Galatians 3:25? Why is faith personified here? • How should the unity of "you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28) influence the membership and ministry of a local church? • Is the resurrection necessary for Paul’s view of justification?

**OUR APOLOGIES FOR THE TECHNICAL PROBLEM CAUSING US TO MISS THE FIRST MINUTE OF THIS MESSAGE. Application Questions: • What was God’s promise to Abraham? Where would you find it in the Old Testament? • Since covenants cannot be changed after being ratified (vs. 15), how does this affirm God’s promise to Abraham? • What is the purpose of the law? Does the law oppose God’s promise? • If “the Script...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What assumption does Paul make with the words "now it is evident" in Gal. 3:11? What does it say about OT saints? • What is the curse? How did Jesus become a curse for you? • What is the blessing of Abraham evidenced by the coming of the Spirit? • Discuss double imputation in Gal. 3:13-14 (see also 1 Peter 3:18). Sing a hymn of the faith that affirms the doctrine of imputa...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Define faith. How do you know that you believe? • Why does Paul use Abraham as an example of faith? • How does Scripture “foresee” and “preach” the Gospel? • What does it mean to be a “Son of Abraham” in Galatians 3:7?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What is assurance of salvation? • How does the Spirit minister to a believer? What other New Testament texts speak of this? • What does "perfected" mean in Galatians 3:3? What evidences of this do you find in your own life? • Define "hearing of faith." How is it different from works of the law?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Is the “first day of the week” referring to Sunday? How important is it for Christians to worship on the first day of the week? • Where in the Gospels can you find the “remember how he told you” (Lk 24:6) conversation to which the angels refer? • Do you believe Luke 24:6, “He is not here, but has risen”? What are the implications of this belief for you? • How can a Christi...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • How had Peter erred? Why did Paul rebuking Peter publicly? • What lessons are learned from Paul about giving a rebuke? • What lessons are learned from Peter about receiving a rebuke? • Who do you trust enough to receive a rebuke in love?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: » Why did Paul, Barnabas, and Titus travel to Jerusalem? » Who are the false brothers in Galatians 2:4? Were they Christians? How would you spot one in a church today? » Describe the meaning and purpose of the “right hand of fellowship” (Gal. 2:9). » What is a Christian's responsibility to the poor (Gal 2:10)?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Christians talk about life before salvation as “my former life” (vs. 13). Describe your life before the Gospel. What has changed about you? • A new life comes with a new purpose (vs. 16). What is God’s purpose for you? How did you discern his purpose? • What role does the church play in receiving and discipling new believers? • The churches of Judea glorified God because o...

An introduction to Galatians on Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and the Christian life!

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: » How does Jesus' statement, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" influence your willingness to forgive and willingness to trust God's purposes? » What is ironic about the scoffing comment, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God"? » Considering that the same circumstance led two criminals to different response, what will influenc...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Compare the genealogy in Ruth 4:18-22 to the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-5. What is significant about the similarities? • Does God love bitter people? How does Naomi's story serve as an example? • What does "May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah" (vs. 11) mean? • Why do the neighborhood women say, "A son has been born to Naomi" (vs....

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Was Naomi's plan a risk worth taking? How do you vet a risky decision in your own life? • Why doesn't Boaz pursue Ruth? • What is Ruth asking from Boaz when she says, "Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer" (vs. 9)? Hint: see Ruth 2:12. • Naomi and Ruth trusted God through trusting Boaz (vs. 18). How do you trust God through another person?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What does Ruth 2 teach about living within your financial means? • Is God's provision for Naomi and Ruth miraculous or providence? Distinguish the two. • What does Ruth do with her leftovers (vs. 14, 18)? What does this reveal about Ruth's relationship to Naomi? • What is a kinsman redeemer (vs. 20) in light of Leviticus 25:24-28, 47-55?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Naomi and Ruth deal with the same emptiness and loss. They are both widows in poverty. How do they react differently to their circumstances? • Is Naomi bitter or discouraged? How would you know the difference? • How will you protect your heart against bitterness as you age? • What does Ruth's opportunity to glean the field tell you about Boaz's business ethics according to...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Have you ever lost something to economic or natural disaster? How did it affect you? • What similarities and differences do you notice between Orpah and Ruth's relationship with their mother-in-law, Naomi? • How does your view of God affect your view of hard times (Ruth 1:13)? • If you feel hopeless who are you seeking out for help?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Compare and contrast Mordecai's edict (8:9-12) from Haman's edict (3:12-15)? What are the similarities and differences? • Why couldn't King Ahasuerus "revoke" (vs. 5) Haman's edict? • Is redemption a simple undoing of evil already done? Why or why not? • According to Esther 8:9 how many months remain until the final resolution? What possible reason explain divinely purpose...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What lessons can be learned from Esther 7 about living as a believer in a secular environment? • In what ways do you feel unchristian if you have enemies? How can you determine if your enemy is God’s enemy or one of your own creation? • How does King Ahasuerus respond in verse 5? What does the king’s reaction show about Haman’s plot? • Consider the relationship between Est...

The goal we are presenting is to be a church ruled by Christ, governed by members, led by elders, served by deacons.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • In light of Mordecai's public mourning, how has someone else's grief influenced your reaction to suffering? • Who can counsel you like Mordecai counseled Esther? Why do you need counselors? • Name all the emotions in Esther 4. How do you understand and identify with these emotions? • Is it faith or fatalistic to say with Esther "If I perish, I perish"?