Good News - Moses, Mothers, & the Message

OUTLINE:

1. Review: The Historical Account (Galatians 4:21-23)

2. Rejoice: The Allegorical Interpretation (Galatians 4:24-27)

3. Repent: The Practical Application (Galatians 4:28-31)

QUESTIONS:

1. (Galatians 4:21-23) What insights can we gain about the role of the Law in light of Abraham's story? What lessons can we draw from Paul's discussion of Abraham's two sons regarding the nature of spiritual inheritance, freedom, and the relationship between law and promise?

2. (Galatians 4:24-27) Paul identifies Hagar with Mount Sinai and the present Jerusalem, associating her with slavery. How does this connection shed light on Paul's understanding of the role of the Law and its relationship to the New Covenant established through Christ? The Jerusalem “above” is described as free and is identified as "our mother." What significance does this have with the understanding of our identity and relationship to God? Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1, which speaks of the barren woman (Sarah) rejoicing because her children will be more numerous than (Hagar’s) the married woman's. How does Paul use this Old Testament prophecy to reinforce his argument about the superiority of the Jerusalem above and the freedom it represents?

3. (Galatians 4:28-31) Paul asserts that believers, like Isaac, are children of promise. What are the contrasts between our Christian identity and inheritance, and that of Hagar and Sarah? Verse 29 compares the persecution of Isaac by Ishmael to the persecution of believers born according to the Spirit by those born according to the flesh. What parallels can we draw between the historical account of Isaac and Ishmael and the experiences of believers today? How does understanding ourselves as children of promise impact our faith and subsequent response?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

Galatians 4:21-31

Genesis 16-18

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