►Recognize that Paul is not hostile to the law of God but opposes the view that you can be saved by keeping the law (Gal. 2:16).

►Know that the promises made to Abraham of righteousness by faith are not contradicted or nullified by the law. ►Appreciate the nature of the law – that it is holy, just, and good (Rom. 7:12).

The Priority of the Promise

Surveying the Source

The students will:

Plotting the Course

Preparing to Lead

Getting Started

A. Write the words “law” and “promise” on the whiteboard. Have the group brainstorm definitions, examples, feelings, and ideas associated with these words and to share personal reflections on each. Then introduce the week's les-son.

B. Say: “John Bunyan once said, ‘Run, John, run, the law commands But gives us neither feet nor hands, Far better news the gospel brings, It bids us fly and gives us wings." Ask: What do you think of this quote? What does it tell us about the law and the gospel? In what way does this reflect or differ from your experience? Why do we so often talk negatively about the law and lovingly about the gospel?

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LESSON 6 / July 29 — August 4, 2017

No matter how much we might like to think otherwise, society tends to define us by what we achieve. Good grades? Excel-lent work! Promotion? Very well done! You have a doctorate and are a profes-sional pianist in your spare time? Awe-some!

Now, don’t misunderstand me, there's nothing wrong with excellence. But often this “earn by achievement” mindset can seep into our Christian walk, too. This week's lesson looks at the relationship between what we do and what is prom-ised to us aside from our works, through faith in Christ.

Gen. 9:11–17; 15:6; 22:17, 18; Matt. 5:17, 18; Rom. 3:20; 4:15; 5:20; Gal. 2:16

Teacher’s

Guide

Materials pens, paper, whiteboard/flipboard, Reproducible Activity

class members to pray in pairs about how they can live by faith in the promise.

Print and hand out the Reproducible Activity. Challenge the class to memorize the verses for next Sabbath. Encourage

Copyright 2017 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®

B. Read the story of the Phar isee and the tax collector: Luke 18:9–14 and Galatians 3:15–18. Divide the class into two groups and discuss the following questions (Group 1: Pharisee; Group 2: Tax Collector): a. What characteristics dominated the heart of the Pharisee/tax collector? b. What do you think his understanding of the law and the promise (salvation by faith) was? c. How was this understanding reflected in his behavior? d. Do you identify with the tax collector/Pharisee? Why/why not? e. How does this story relate back to what Paul talks about in Galatians 3:15–18? Bring the groups back together and encourage them to feedback and discuss their answers together.

A. Divide the class into small groups and give each an area to discuss and re-search. The Law: Purpose and Nature of the Law (both positive and negative): Rom. 3:20; 4:15; 5:20; 7:12; Gal. 3:21, 24 Our Relationship to the Law: Deut. 30:16; Ps. 1:2–3; John 15:10; Gal. 2:16; 3:24 The Promise: Purpose and Nature of the Promise: Rom. 4:13; Gal. 3:16. Our Relationship to the Promise: Gen. 15:6; Gal. 3:6, 29; Rom. 9:8 Get the class to share their findings and then discuss how the law and the promise relate to each other given what they have studied. Ask: “Do they compliment or contra-dict each other? Why do you think Paul was so intent on making sure that the Ga-latians understood the relationship of the law to the promise? (cf. Gal. 1:6, 15, 3:15–18) Do you think a clear understanding is still important to us today? Why/why not?”

Discussing the Ideas

Closing the Activity

Alex Browne, St. Albans, United Kingdom

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3. What are some ways in which we can act like the Galatians – seeking to earn God's favor through our actions? How can we take steps to transform our thinking and to emphasize the superiority of the promise in our lives?

1. Why does it matter that the law does not alter the promise? 2. Can a wrong understanding of the relationship between the law and the promise affect our lives and walk with Christ? If not, why? If yes, how?

Delving Into the Word

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General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®

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Lesson 6

Memorization Challenge

Take up the memorization (or memorisation if you use British English!) challenge of Galatians 2:16 (NIV) and

Romans 5:20 (KJV)!