Francis Schaeffer was unique, a Reformed theologian,
who, along with his wife, Edith,
formed L’abri (meaning shelter) in Switzerland:
a place where individuals could come and discuss truth, God, and the meaning of life.
This ministry has multiplied all over the world.
Schaeffer was considered a prophet in his time.
Though he lived before Roe vs Wade was a reality,
he looked ahead and predicted what most living then
could not even imagine: the coming holocaust for the unborn.
(60 million lives taken in the U. S. since Roe vs Wade:
10 times the number of lives lost in Hitler’s holocaust.)
A little book of his that impacted me profoundly was his:
It is based on Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17,
Schaeffer said that unless true believers
show unity, love, and grace to one another,
the world has a right to judge that they are not Christians.
For Jesus prayed:
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
John 17:20-21
This is also the message of Galatians 2.
Paul rebukes Peter for not eating with the believing but uncircumcised Gentiles,
telling him: “You are not walking in line with the truth of the gospel.”
What does that mean?
Peter is not walking in the grace he has been given
he is not walking in love toward other believers.
Peter, wanting the approval of the false teachers, is adding to the gospel,
telling the Gentiles they must be circumcised according to the law.
Furthermore, he won’t eat with them while they refuse to be circumcised.
This may sound strange to us, but the principle should be clear:
We are saved by faith alone — not faith plus…
Therefore we are one with those,
who though they may be different from us in many ways:
in race, culture, socioeconomic class, or preferences in peripheral issues,
are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
And we are to love them, give them grace,
as we have been loved and given grace.
If we don’t, the world has a right to judge us as not being Christian,
for we are not walking in line with the gospel.
Schaeffer clarified that it is possible to be a Christian and not walk in grace and love, but the world will then not be drawn to Christianity, will not believe that God sent Jesus. (John 17:21)
Schaeffer is one of those saints that has gone before that you should know.
Below, is a picture of the first L’abri, and then, Schaffer speaking from the alps
on how Christianity differs from manmade religions. (See Galatians 1:11-12)
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why?
2. Do you have any familiarity with the teaching of Francis Schaeffer or his wife Edith? If so, how has have they impacted you? Be specific.
Monday: Clarifying the Gospel
3. Read Galatians 2 slowly and:
- Note anything that stands out to you and why.
- Describe the incident that Paul describes happening in Antioch.
Tuesday: Grace means we accept anyone in Christ, regardless of other differences.
Read again Galatians 2:1-5.
4. What was Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7?
5. Who brought up the matter of circumcision and why? (verses 3-4)
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5)
People have different views on the many Christian denominations — some feel that having so many is not a good testimony. I actually think the diversity can be beautiful, like the beauty of different races, if we can give grace to those who have different preferences. I like, for example, a worship service that is sedate and orderly, but I think I do, in part, because that was my Scottish heritage and my family. A liturgical song like Is He Worthy? moves me to the core.
So though I may feel like a fish out of water in a rambunctious charismatic black church, I realize they are moved to the core by their kind of music — and that is so good. I love them and am so thankful for styles of worship that move each of us. I am speaking at just such a retreat in Pennsylvania next October, and I pray they will accept this sedate and orderly sister. And though I am not charismatic in my theology, I will often go to a charismatic sister or brother when I’m in need of prayer, for they are passionate in prayer.
And when we disagree on peripheral differences, can we just do as Romans 14 urges and let every man stand before God on his own and not judge one another? This doesn’t mean we don’t stand up for the core gospel, for we must, but on peripheral issues, let us give grace.
7. What is your view on our our many diverse denominations? How good are you at accepting those who have different preferences?
8. What is the danger of raising preferences or traditions to non-negotiables? (Such as preferences in music, dress, or Bible translations?)
9. How could speaking against another church over a negotiable cause listeners to dismiss Christianity? Have you done this?
10. Indeed, though we may have differences with other believers in the area of preference, Tim Keller makes the point that we have so much more in common with a Christian brother in Mongolia than we do with an unbeliever on our street who may live in a similar house, drive a similar car, and whose children go to the same school as ours. Can you share a story of experiencing deep fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who was quite different from you in many ways?
11. How might you better give grace to true believers who have different preferences than you in worship and lifestyle?
Wednesday: Within One Body, We Have Different Callings
12. Read Galatians 2:6-9
A. How was God’s calling to Paul and to Peter different?
B. How did God confirm that within the body?
C. Why is it important that we take hold of what Christ has taken hold for us,
and not take hold of what Christ has taken hold for another?
Have you experienced the freedom of realizing the need is not the call? I have. For our Christmas Tea this year a group of women, gifted at crafts, made little prayer journals and lanterns for every one of the one hundred guests. (See the cute lanterns below on the middle of plates.) I had a fleeting thought, “I should be helping,” but then a wiser thought that “the need is not the call.” I really am all thumbs at crafts and do not enjoy it — so I could let it go! And quite honestly, I am thankful when a believer realizes that teaching or mercy or whatever is not her gift, for I would rather have someone who has the gift teach my grandchildren or be my nurse when I’m hospitalized! Part of love is realizing where you are not gifted in an area, and humbly decline. Yet we all have gifts we must use for the body to be efficient.
13. How can you lovingly encourage someone right now who has a gift you appreciate with an e-mail or text?
14. What did both of them agree they should both do, according to verse 10? (For private reflection so I don’t make you lose your reward: How do you do this in your life?)
Thursday: Not Walking In Line with The Gospel
Tim Keller’s emphasis on the phrase “not walking in line with the gospel” has been profoundly impacting to me. Keller said that Paul could have said to Peter, “Don’t be a racist,” and that would be correct, but it digs into the root idol to say “You are not walking in line with the gospel.” We have been forgiven so much, so when we cannot give grace to another, as Peter was not, we are forgetting the love of Christ, and therefore prone to sin — to want the approval of others (as Peter wanted the approval of these false teachers.) Let’s see if we can truly grasp this for our hearts, for if we do, we will better bear the mark of a Christian.
15. Read Galatians 2:11-14
A. What motivated Peter to withdraw from his fellow Gentile believers? (v. 12)
B. How did Peter’s lack of grace spread? (v. 13)
C. How do you think this might have impacted the Gentiles who did not yet believe? And why?
16. Let’s see if we can flesh this out for our own lives.
A. There is a believer in your life who irritates you or has hurt you. How could you walk in line with the gospel with him/her? How could preaching the gospel to yourself help you?
B. You really don’t like praise choruses, preferring hymns, but a large portion of your church does. How could walk in line with the gospel concerning their preferences? How could you use the gospel to speak to your soul?
C. You, through the help of God, have overcome a bad habit of (over-spending, over-eating…) and you find, in your thoughts, you are judging those who are still stumbling over this sin. How could you preach the gospel to yourself and therefore show more grace?
Keller, in his study, “Galatians For You,” makes the point that there are non-negotiables, and we do need to stand firm concerning the gospel, which indeed, Paul is doing here. We do not need to show grace to those churches that have lost their grip on the gospel, but indeed, we need to pray for their blinders to be removed, and, if His Spirit leads, to confront them concerning their error. But if we confront out of anger and not love, it is for naught.
17. How would it look to engage in loving confrontation with someone who has lost his grip on the gospel? How do you think Paul shows love here?
Friday: I Am Crucified With Christ
18. Read Galatians 2:15-16. How would you explain justification to someone who thinks Christianity is behaving morally?
Galatians 2:20 can help us live the gospel throughout the day. Meditate on this from Francis Schaeffer:
The reality of living by Faith, as though we were already dead, of living by Faith in open communion with God, and then stepping back into the external world as though we already were raised from the dead, this is not once and for all, it is a matter of moment-by-moment faith, and living moment-by-moment. This morning’s Faith will never do for this noon. The Faith of this noon will never do for supper time…To believe Him, not just when I accepted Christ as Savior, but every moment, one moment at a time: this is the Christian life, and this is true spirituality.
19. After meditating on the above:
A. How would you summarize what Schaeffer is saying?
B. How would you tell your soul to apply Galatians 2:20 throughout the day?
20. Embrace living Galatians 2:20 this morning, this afternoon, and this evening — and report
back.
Saturday:
21. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
180 comments
Dee, I’m sorry if my post shows up more than once. When I attempt to post it tells me that it is spam ? I will try again now.
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why?
These words by Francis Schaeffer: “Jesus taught that the mark of the Christian is the observable love shown among all true believers.” How piercing this truth can be.
2. Do you have any familiarity with the teaching of Francis Schaeffer or his wife Edith? If so, how has have they impacted you? Be specific.
Yes, I have much familiarity with both Francis and Edith Schaeffer. My husband introduced me to Francis and Edith Schaeffer’s writings when we were first married over 43 years ago and he has his complete set of writings. In the late ’70s and early ’80s I began reading Edith Schaeffer’s writings. I started with L’Bri and also read Hidden Art, What is a Family and Affliction. But my favorite to this day is an autobiographical volume that Edith wrote entitled Tapestry in which she beautifully and carefully traces their heritage and the hand of God in their lives. (I have also read a couple of books written by two of their children: For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer McCauley and A Time for Anger written by Franky Schaeffer. My husband and I also got to hear Franky speak to a small crowd here in Billings, Mt about twenty years ago.)
We were in a small Wyoming church in the ’70s that showed the video series How Should We Then Live. So, Francis and Edith Schaeffer’s words have helped to shape my thinking over the past 40 years. Francis helped me to better understand the culture and to prepare me for what was to come culturally. Edith helped me to understand what hospitality could look like and to appreciate the sovereignty of God.
I received the monthly newsletters from L’Bri for several years, so in 1985 I knew that Edith was living for a time at the Rochester, Minnesota L’Bri. At this time I had become friends with my neighbor across the street. She too was a young mama (Donna) with two small children the same ages as my two children at the time (ages two and three). One Christmas-time, Dec. 23rd, we heard on the evening news that there had been a terrible car accident and that a father and two young children had been killed. Within a few hours my friend Donna called from a hospital asking for us to come. She knew that we had lost our first baby girl and she knew that we understood some of her pain. She was in absolute shock over the loss of her whole family. She eventually ended up at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. So, I wrote a letter to Edith Schaeffer and told her about my neighbor’s deep pain and loss. Edith reached out to Donna and Donna visited a meeting at L’Bri. I later received a kind and wise letter from Edith that I have kept.
Oh Nila, I had a physical reaction to the story of your friend’s loss, how remarkable that you were able to enter into her life in that way and then to connect her with Francis. Have you kept in contact with her? I wonder how she is now.
Chris, My friend and I continued to be neighbors for about a year. It was entirely too painful for her to be around my children – understandably. She eventually moved about two hours away. After about two years, she remarried and had a son. They visited us once. A few years later I attempted to go see she and her husband but her husband had become very protective of her and felt it best that I not maintain contact anymore. Just his way of protecting his wife from anything that might stir up painful memories. I often wonder how she is today – 34 years later.
Oh Nila — what a wealth you bring because of being so familiar with the teachings and love of the Schaeffers. Such a story about your friend Donna — and you have great grace and understanding toward her. The mark of a Christian!
Your information and touching story really brings this message home, to be a loving neighbor. We never know what circumstances we will be in, but you were there in her time of great need. Thanks.
Is anyone else having trouble posting this morning? I have attempted to post three times and it seems to initially show up and then disappears ?
What stands out to you from the above, and why?
The ideas of love and unity being the outward evidence of a true community of Christ followers. I keep going back to this:
“Schaeffer said that unless true believers
show unity, love, and grace to one another,
the world has a right to judge that they are not Christians.”
The HS has been bringing the theme of unity and community to me from different directions.
I grieve deeply as I read this morning for the lack of love our elder board has shown to my friend. I really don’t know how to rightly react.
My knee jerk reaction is to withdraw my membership, to show my lack of faith in their leadership, but I know part of that is my bent towards isolation and withdrawing from conflict.
I also don’t want to be bitter or to engage in divisive things because I am angry. Sometimes preserving unity means speaking truth in love, I suspect that is what I ought to do, but immediately I wonder if I am qualified or clear headed enough to do that in any way that would be helpful :/
2. Do you have any familiarity with the teaching of Francis Schaeffer or his wife Edith? If so, how has have they impacted you? Be specific.
I have never read any of the Schaeffer’s books but I have been impacted by hearing quotes and ideas from their work over the years.
Chris,
Have you considered attempting to write a letter to your elder board? Sometimes it helps me to measure my words more carefully if I put them to paper and make a clear, calm, measured appeal…… (even then, we can be misunderstood but sometimes its worth a try)
Nila, could it be your browser? Sometimes if I use a browser other than Google Chrome it does weird things but I could be mistaken. Sometimes it has been the computer or laptop I was using, or sometimes the blog. I am not having any issues posting yet.
Thanks Rebecca 🙂
My posts seem to be showing up now. Not sure why. 🙂
Oh Chris — I do think if anyone is qualified to go speak the truth in love it would be you. I will pray for wisdom, courage, love — and that they might receive it. They may not, but you will will have attempted to be at peace with them. I think you could share your knee-jerk reaction with them but also your desire to speak the truth as you see it in love – -and then to be willing too also listen. So hard, my friend, but I am covering you in prayer. How the enemy loves to divide.
Thank you for your input Nila & Dee…I am cogitating and praying.
I too am praying for you, Chris, that God will use you in some powerful way as you navigate these deep troubled waters of church division. I do not have any advice except listen carefully to the Lord. So hard!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why?
“Schaeffer said that unless true believers
show unity, love, and grace to one another,
the world has a right to judge that they are not Christians.
Schaeffer clarified that it is possible to be a Christian and not walk in grace and love, but the world will then not be drawn to Christianity, will not believe that God sent Jesus.”
What a powerful and humbling reminder-to walk in grace and love. How many times have I not be gracious and loving to a Christian brother or sister in my thought life? I may not have expressed it in words, but my heart has been full of judgment and condescension.
2. Do you have any familiarity with the teaching of Francis Schaeffer or his wife Edith? If so, how has have they impacted you? Be specific.
When I met my husband, Richard 30+ years ago, he was a missionary with the Navigators. He had many books that he shared with me. As a Christian who was not discipled very well but who loved to read, I would eagerly wait till he loaned me the next book. I do not remember the title now but one of the books was written by Edith Schaeffer-I believe it was one on hospitality. Then that led me to looking up L’Abri. When I came to the US later, I got reacquainted with their writings once more through a friend. My memory is kind of vague but I know that I valued what they had to say about community and how to flesh out the gospel. I just pulled out one of the Schaeffer’s books from the shelf titled Escape from Reason and read “ …there is nothing man can do;no autonomous or humanistic, religious or moral effort of man can help. One is saved only on the basis of the finished work of Christ…and the only way to be saved is to raise the empty hands of faith and, by God’s grace, to accept God’s free gift-Faith alone.”
Beautiful quote, Bing!
I love that quote, too, Bing, at the end of your post. I think I will share that with my adopted daughter at the opportune time. She does not understand salvation, coming from a Muslim/agnostic background. The quote also gives me rest and hope. I cannot save her, no matter how hard I try. Only God can do the work of true regeneration in the heart.
Miriam, having an adopted daughter that you obviously love so much who does not understand about your salvation, coming from a Muslim/agnostic background. But, yes, it is God who saves. I will pray for her.
Thank you so much, Diane! I would like to hear more about your background sometime since you mentioned that you grew up in India and then lived in Africa. I assume missionary?
Miriam, yes. My parents were missionaries in India and then we went to Kenya with our family for a few years as missionaries. My husband taught at a Bible school. Message me on Facebook if you want to ask questions.
Bing, when Dee asked us a couple of weeks ago about a besetting sin I spent a lot of time reflecting and came to realize that my thought life against other people is really unbiblical and the worst part about it is it is only God who knows about it and it’s very easy to hide from the people around me.
Ernema, I love what you say here, “What a powerful and humbling reminder-to walk in grace and love. How many times have I not be gracious and loving to a Christian brother or sister in my thought life? I may not have expressed it in words, but my heart has been full of judgment and condescension.”
The Holy Spirit has been showing me much of the same. Sometimes I have thoughts about others that are less than stellar, but I have rested in the fact that just because I haven’t voiced it to anyone else it is okay. Hey, I am not a gossip! Well it is good that I am not gossiping but it falls so short of what God desires from us. It is wrong though because God’s word says, “As a man thinks in his heart so is He.”. The New Testament say “to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” I have even felt God whisper to me, “Don’t judge”. I have been moving my heart to this place of a neutral zone, where me mind is empty and I look for ways to encourage and lift up others.
Sunday
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why?
If I don’t love my brother and sisters in Christ, give them grace as I have been loved and given grace, the world has a right to judge me, as not being Christian, for I am not walking in line with the gospel. Schaeffer clarified that it is possible to be a Christian and not walk in grace and love, but the world will not be drawn to Christianity, will not believe that God sent Jesus. I don’t want to be a stumbling block to unbelievers…search my heart God and may I see my fellow believers as You see me, with love and grace!
2. Do you have familiarity with the teaching of Francis Schaeffer or his wife Edith? If so, how have they impacted you? Be specific.
I really am not familiar with him or his wife. I have heard a few of his quotes but that’s the extent of it.
P.S. I have followed along in the study, enjoyed all your comments. Hope to be more available this week as this study has been so rich…thanks Dee.
You got the heart of The Mark of a Christian, Sharon!
1. What stood out to me. I noticed that in both quotes from Schaeffer, he said ‘true’ Christians. How do I know if they are true or not? Yet, my role in both cases is to extend the love and grace of God, that which has been given to me. Part of that is sharing the gospel with them. If they are believers, they will respond in such a way that our spirits will rejoice together that we’ve found each other. Which reminds me of early Christians, who would casually draw a curved line in the dirt with their food. If the other was a believer, they would draw the corresponding line that then made a complete fish. That is how they knew. If the one I’m talking to is not a believer, they may tell me they go to this or that church, or politely move the conversation away. I have seen all three. The one that grieves me is the one where they cling to their church membership to save them, or to a ritual there. Like the Israelites did with circumcision.
2. The Schaeffers and their work with L’Abri are big names in Christianity, but I’ve not read any of their things.
Mary — I hadn’t heard that complete the fish story!
I hadn’t heard that either…loved it! Thanks for sharing Mary.
My father was a missionary to the foreign ships that come into the ports of Virginia. Consequently, we had many people from all over the world as guests in our home frequently. I was always in awe of those who turned out to be true believers in Jesus. We could hardly speak a few words in each other’s language, but it was an instant bond with a brother or sister. It was so evident, and such a blessing from our Father. I can only imagine the scene in Revelation 5 when we stand hand in hand with brothers and sisters from around the world, worshiping our Lord Jesus.
So, I have a deep spiritual problem, and I know it. I do not always love the brethren. I find it easier to love the ‘down and out’ than people in my own church. I was raised in a strict Independent Baptist Church and school. The legalism and lack of love and misrepresentation of the grace of our Lord Jesus caused a lot of damage to me and to those whom I care about. When I am around these type of people (which is often), I find myself full of bitterness and lack of love toward them. I joined an online Reformed Women’s group on Face Book (not our loving Dee’s Bible Study face book page), longing for grace amongst sisters. Sadly, I’ve also found the same judgmental attitude among them, at times verbalizing themselves to be better than those who do not espouse the Reformed doctrine, though there is some good to be gleaned for sure. I’ve seen people I grew up with spewing out vitriol against the Independent Baptists. I want to do the same, believe me. I hold so much bitterness and sometimes hatred in my heart. Yet, I know many of these people I despise at times are true believers. I MUST love them. It is beyond my human capacity. Like Corrie ten Boom, I must cry out for the love of Jesus to pour through me, an empty vessel devoid of love in and of myself. I guess it’s no different from anyone who must forgive another who has wronged them. Jesus said, if your enemy hungers, give him food. So we must love our brothers, and love our ‘enemies’ also, allowing for no excuses to not love. I need You, Lord, Oooohhhhh I need You!
I have the “Letters of Francis Schaeffer” and see that he wrote to some younger women, advising and counseling them in the Lord. I like to read them and imagine that I am hearing a loving Father speaking to me, his daughter, and helping me, in tender tones, to grow closer to Jesus You have piqued my interest, Dee, to learn more about this man and his wife.
Oh Miriam — what a poignant testimony. I hope everyone reads it. This is exactly what Schaeffer was addressing. Help us, O Lord!
Miriam, wow this blew me away just now..This post made His Spirit leap inside! Yes, Help us O Lord!!
Thanks for your honesty, Miriam. A lot of us are struggling in much the same way.
Great post Miriam! Thank you ♥️
Yes, Miriam, your sharing touches me, also. The sin of judgmentalism is so prevalent and is hard to weed out. Though I hate to hear it from Christians, I know my thoughts follow the attitude. I have also been drawn to those who are true believers from other parts. The words Dee shared of Francis Schaeffer are a reminder daily to me to love believers so I may have a witness to others.
1. What stands it to you from the above and why? The same as Nila and Chris…it brings to mind the song (based off of scripture):
”We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christian by our love.” (There are more verses but I’ll stop there.)
2. I have never heard of Francis Schaefer or his wife Edith. My curiousity is piqued, especially after hearing his logical approach in the video. God is not in my head He is objective, real, and observable!
I thought of that same song when meditating on Schaeffer’s words, Jill.
I am familiar with the Schaefers in name only and I’m looking forward to learning about and from them.
Although after reading some comments above I do remember reading the book on hospitality, it let me feeling dreadfully inadequate.
Dawn — they did have a revolving door! We are all to be hospitable, but to all it is not a gift.
3. It has always interested me that Paul and the other apostles struggled with the issue of circumcision and grace. Titus, a Greek, is not compelled to be circumcised. Yet Paul, after this matter had been settled, circumcised Timothy. Motives have such a sway in our actions. And motives matter more to God that the actual action. The whole thing in Antioch was about who believers should have fellowship with. Should it be only those who keep the same outward actions as I do? Paul calls Peter out on being fine with Gentiles until strict Jewish believers came, and then he changed his behaviors. That is convicting to me. I need for my behavioral choices to be true regardless of who I am with. And to let others have theirs for the same reason. If I have a scriptural reason for what I do, I can share that in love. If someone else is going directly against what scripture says, again, I can share that in love. But it is up to God to do conviction.
Read agalatians 2 slowly and;
Note anything that stands out to y and why. The thing that most stands out to me is that sin chapter 1 Paul is asserting that what he preaches is not from man but from Christ, and indeed he didnt even have apostles “approve” it before he embraced his God-given mission to the gentiles. In chapter 2, however, he is assuring his audience that after 14 years he was convicted to go to the influential apostles and secure their ‘approval’ … “to make sure I was not running nor had not run in vain…” … this seems to be a bit contradictory…perhaps he had hit a desert in his ministry and was seeking assurance and encouragement? my goal today is to read in a few different translations to see if I can better understand…
Describe the incident that Paul describes happening in Antioch. Peter had been eating with gentiles, but when certain men came to town (the same ‘false brothers?’) he had a change of heart and insisted that circumcision was necessary for s follower of Christ, apparently to the point of salvation. Peter (according to verse 14) had not been keeping all the laws either so how could he impose such standards on others – “live like a gentile” …I do not think this was referring to circumsicions as he would have been circumsiced as a baby?
Read again Galatians 2:1-5.
4. What as Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7? To take the Gospel to the gentiles.
5. Who brought up the matter of circumsicion and why? (Verses 3-4) False brothers who had slipped in to observe their freedom and try to convict them again to live under the law.
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5) He (and those with him, “we”) did not allow them to sway or distort what they knew to be Truth, saved by faith alone. They did this to keep the Gospel message pure and not allow addendums and caveats to rob the true Grace and Mercy of the Gospel “for you.”
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Is “L’abri” (one of the locations) where Henri Nouwen spent some of his life, or am I thinking of someplace else? It was in his book about The Prodigal. I, too, am struck by the quote about unless true believers show their love for one another, the world has a right to question us. I would add, though, it is also important the love we show to the unbeliever, like the love, or lack of love, I show to my unbelieving husband. I haven’t done a great job at that, overall. I’m sure I haven’t made Christianity look very compelling or attractive to him. I remember also once when my daughter was in a small group at church of junior high students. She told me that the subject of homosexuality came up and some of the student’s remarks really turned her off because they were so condemning and judgmental.
2. I have heard of Francis Shaeffer from this blog, but I’m really not familiar with any of his writings, nor of his wife, Edith.
Hi Susan…yes…it was Henri Nouwen! I have been wracking my Brian to remember his name! That is who I was trying to think of in my post below…I read of his experience with life at L’abri. Thanks for that prompting!
Lucy, I went back and looked….the community for the disabled where Nouwen spent several years was “L’Arche”. I am sure that your brother who had Down’s taught you so much about the truth that we are all truly the same, and how to love!
Thanks for looking that up! My brother taught me more about unconditional love a a sense of humor that anyone else!
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why?
The prayer from John 17…I needed the reminder that it is not enough for Christ to be in me but that true unity can only come about when I am also in Him!
2. Do you have any familiarity with the teaching of Francis Schaeffer or his wife Edith? If so, how has have they impacted you? Be specific.
I’m not sure that I have read any of Schaeffer’s Work directly. But I have read of L’abri. I seem to remember that it developed into a community for the disabled and the able to live together. I had a brother with Down Syndrome and loved reading about the value that was placed on all life at L’abri. So often, our culture dictates who is and isn’t capable of experiencing a “quality life”! As if we know what that means! I have wondered if perhaps from God’s perspective, if those of us deemed “normal” here aren’t really handicapped.
Like this “As if we knew what quality of life means”
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why?
The Mark of a Christian is to love one another-loving my brothers and sisters in Christ showing them the Grace and Mercy Jesus shows me. Our differences shouldn’t matter at all..whether we have any thing in common or not we have Him in common, and He binds us deeper together than any common earthly bind can.
2. Do you have any familiarity with the teaching of Francis Schaeffer or his wife Edith? If so, how has have they impacted you? Be specific.
Back in the day in the late 80’s early 90’s as a young believer and single, I read a few of His books and pretty much read a lot more than I can read now. I read, The Mark of The Christian, True Spirituality, and How Should We Then Live.
Hmmm…True Spirituality impacted me specifically this way. I have to go back in order to share how: So my honeymoon phase as a new believer was so beautiful as He put in me a desire to love and serve others that wasn’t there before, (HUGE change in me). I spent an hour a day and 3-4 hours on the weekend studying Scripture with an exhaustive concordance but in communion with Him as well. I told everyone about Him and how He has changed my life – not with a motive or outcome in mind, but just because I loved Him and He loved me and He made me whole-and I was thrilled, and He was flowing out of me and I wanted everyone to know Him!!
Sadly, over the years my idols reared and my spiritual disciplines became a god in my life. It turned into duty somehow. My thirst for knowledge-what he was saying and being accurate about it- grew more than my thirst for communing..I grew frustrated with other believers who weren’t memorizing or discipling others. I even couldn’t imagine why a Christian would suffer financially or walk in depression if they were walking in obedience..oh my..I cringed just now thinking I used to think that! Meeting with God grew more dutiful than doing so out of delight like it was at first. At work I was taking unbelievers, who were asking me questions about God, through the romans road diagram but I wasn’t really engaging or listening or loving in conversation..just felt I was on a mission and needed to accomplish it-like I had to earn favor with God which is not where I was in the beginning. I even started reading books on how to effectively witness chalked full of examples and conversations I could use. OH MY. :-/
So God brought me to my senses through other believers and turned me around but it was slow, and True Spirituality helped. It is hard to say exactly what helped in this book because it is so full of wisdom but God used it to help bring me to my senses and turn.
I also read a book by their son Franky Schaeffer called Addicted to Mediocrity that was eye-opening.
Rebecca, I can identify with your story….I remember as a new believer maybe not so much praying, but talking to God, and telling Him how I couldn’t imagine ever running out of things to talk about with Him! Then, prayer became hard…..distracted, little time for it, harder to talk to Him. I remember being in a Bible study on Idol Lies and getting frustrated with a woman because she didn’t get what Dee was saying….yes, OH MY.
Susan, yep, 🙂 SO glad God isn’t as impatient with me as I can be with others.
3. Read Galatians 2 slowly and: Note anything that stands out to you and why.
There is a time to confront someone in private (vs. 2) and a time to confront publicly (vs. 14). Those who are regarded as having a larger than life reputation can cause the sin of many! In this chapter, we do not see the firebrand preaching of the gospel that Peter had exhibited early in Acts but we see a Peter who was tiptoeing around being especially careful not to offend those to whom and with whom he ministered.
Describe the incident that Paul describes happening in Antioch.
When Peter first arrived at Antioch he entered in to full fellowship with the believers there. Then when “certain men came from James” he (Peter) withdrew and separated himself because he was afraid of what they would think. That act caused “the rest of the Jews” including even Barnabas to play the hypocrite. To place myself I. I tried to imagine myself in a similar story which might go something like this…I do have some close friends of color…what if I began to worship (or work) in a place where such friendships were not welcomed and I began to withdraw from that friend…how abosolutely devastating that pain would be. Not only for my friend but also to the integrity of my soul! I have experienced being with my brother in the presence of those who make fun of those who have disabilities and use the R word…that sparked a righteous anger in me even as a young child…this helps me better understand Paul’s anger.
Lucy,
I love your comments for number number 3. Interesting, that Peter was on fire preaching the gospel and then tiptoeing around being careful not to offend certain people! You give a great analogy regarding withholding fellowship. Cliques in churches cause so much harm. Recently, we relocated back to ATL attending a church with deep relationships. My daughter had to work 3 years to gain the leader’s kids respect and get accepted. She is popular, well liked in all other circles. We finally made a decision to leave the church due to key elements of church structure. While, my daughter was initially hesitant to leave, she was blown away about how the new church (youth) received her. She gets hellos, high-fives, come sit with us and she is blown away at how the are receiving her without even knowing her. I believe this will mark her forever and shape how she receives others. It is also a message for my husband and I to step up our game.
Monday
3. Read Galatians 2 slowly and:
Note anything that stands out to you and why?
Verse 5b stood out to me…”We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you (in its purity).” This seems to be the whole theme of this chapter. Paul wanted to “preserve the truth of the gospel message” against the false believers who were trying to take away the freedom they had in Christ and then he had to “preserve the truth of the gospel message” when he confronted Peter at Antioch. Titus was physical proof of what the gospel message was…he didn’t feel compelled to be circumcised as he understood the freedom he had in Christ.
Describe the incident that Paul describes happening in Antioch.
Paul had to confront Peter in his hypocrisy of not following the truth of the gospel message. Peter had been eating with Gentile believers who had not been circumcised (freedom in Christ), which according to Jewish law was a big no, no as it was considered dirty, but then friends of James came who wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles because they insisted on the necessity of circumcision (slaves to the law). Peter being afraid of criticism stopped eating with the Gentiles and even Barnabas got caught up in the hypocrisy. Peter got caught up in peer pressure rather than standing strong and following the truth of the gospel message.
3. Read Galatians 2 slowly and:
Note anything that stands out to you and why.
At first there seems to be this issue of making different groups for missionary work; the circumcised and uncircumcised. Why this distinction is a puzzle to me, however maybe it had something to do with being accepted and trusted by the one doing the preaching? The one point that differs is that they both should remember the poor.
Describe the incident that Paul describes happening in Antioch.
Apparently Cephas, a Jew, and other Jews were being hypocritical by eating with and following along with Gentile rituals versus Jewish law. When Paul and his team arrive in Antioch they pretended they weren’t doing these things. Not sure I get it, since they had been given the go ahead that being circumcised was not necessary after Jesus came. Maybe it was discrimination? Paul was angry and confronted Cephas; I not sure why he called him a “condemned man” though?
BTW…is Peter Cephas??? So confusing.
Yes, Peter is Cephas…see John 1:42
Thanks Sharon!
Yeah, Laura. I believe Cephas is Peter. john 1:42. Jesus calls Peter Cephas and both names mean rock. I looked it up since I couldn’t remember where the verse was in John.
Thanks Bing!
Laura, I think you missed the nuance of what was happening in Galatia. Jesus had revealed to Paul and the early church that whether or not you were circumcised makes no difference to their salvation. All Jews were circumcised at birth and believed that there circumcision saved them. (Both Paul and Peter, called Cephas here, were Jews and had been circumcised at birth). Gentiles were not circumcised and therefore Jews did not associate or eat with them. The Jews considered themselves superior. Now Jesus had revealed that it is only faith that saved.
After realizing that circumcision (and following other Jewish practices) did NOT save anyone, Peter started freely associating with the Gentiles, eating with them and so on. Then some other Jewish people who were calling themselves Christians (not Paul) came to where Peter was staying in Antioch and persuaded Peter that perhaps he should not be eating with the Gentiles. So Peter started eating with only the Jews again.
Paul arrived and realized that some people (Paul calls them the circumcision party, Gal. 2:12) were teaching that Christians should adopt the Jewish ways in order to be “good” Christians. Paul confronted them clearly, calling out Peter in particular. Paul is calling it a false gospel. God is telling us that faith in God’s grace saves us – not following certain rules or practices! Peter was wrong! We don’t know for sure why Peter and even Barnabas bowed to the pressure of the group of Jews advocating circumcision as part of salvation, however.
Does that help to clarify the issue? It is complicated.
· Note anything that stands out to you and why.
After 14 years…that is good amount of time for the Galatians to know more about Paul and what he has been preaching.
Paul made it a point to mention names of the leaders to authenticate his being accepted by them.
His rebuke of Peter stands as an example to me of how to speak out and not be afraid of offending anybody when truth is being compromised.
That the gospel is the same both for Jews and Gentiles.
Faith alone and not Faith plus.
· Describe the incident that Paul describes happening in Antioch.
Peter drew away from the Gentiles he used to eat with when a group of the circumcised came to visit. He was afraid of being misunderstood. He had the idol of approval.
Others followed Peter’s example. In the process, Peter led others astray from the truth, including Barnabas.
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why? – …Though he lived before Roe vs Wade was a reality, he looked ahead and predicted what most living then could not even imagine: the coming holocaust for the unborn. (60 million lives taken in the U. S. since Roe vs Wade: (10 times the number of lives lost in Hitler’s holocaust.) and this Schaeffer said that unless true believers show unity, love, and grace to one another, the world has a right to judge that they are not Christians. I never thought of abortions as the holocaust but in reality it certainly is. WOW how sad to see this number and some don’t or won’t even blink and eye to it. And if we don’t come together as One Body, we will not win others to the Gospel. How could they believe in what we believe in, The One True Father, that he is there for us and will help us and love us, when they don’t see Christians loving other Christians, or even being open to others who may be on the fence of Christianity. The world we live in today is getting to be a sad place to be. As an individual you can’t have an opinion or think differently about non essential matters without the name calling starting up against you. It’s a wonder any ‘new’ people believe in Jesus and his Works at all. We have to stop this and UNITE!
2. Do you have any familiarity with the teaching of Francis Schaeffer or his wife Edith? If so, how has have they impacted you? Be specific. – I can’t say that I know about him or his wife, but the book above sounds interesting. I may have to add this to my list to find out more.
Read again Galatians 2:1-5.
4. What was Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7?
He went to preach the Gospel.
5. Who brought up the matter of circumcision and why? (verses 3-4)
I think it was the church leaders and spies? They wanted Titus (a Greek) to be circumcised. So weird; all this talk of a very private part of your body!
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5)
He said no, and that they wanted to preserve the Gospel as it was given to them.
7. What is your view on our our many diverse denominations? How good are you at accepting those who have different preferences?
I guess it’s good to have a variety of outlooks, however, I don’t like entities that live a lie. I quit the Methodist church after being a life long member because they decided to not follow their doctrine. I couldn’t continue to go to a church where they just ignore what the Bible says and do their own thing because of cultural pressures. I don’t respect those who make the church into something it isn’t all in the name of “inclusion.” I respect Paul for standing up for teaching the Gospel no matter who you are or where you come from. So, the Gospel unites us all regardless of those cultural things that are offensive. Yay! And, having different churches means we can associate on a day to day basis with like minded believers, I suppose. You say potato and I say potahto, right?
8. What is the danger of raising preferences or traditions to non-negotiables? (Such as preferences in music, dress, or Bible translations?)
It might mean people leave the church because they don’t feel they can live up to that standard. I go to a church that “dresses down.” I grew up in a more formal church where you dressed “up.” I usually dress fairly well and have gotten used to the less formal attire. Sometimes I even wear jeans now (heavens to Betsy!). However there was a time I might have left a church because it was too casual…
9. How could speaking against another church over a negotiable cause listeners to dismiss Christianity? Have you done this?
Well, to me, the doctrine issue is a “non negotiable.” These church nuances (negotiables) are somewhat silly; you find a church that is your preference; how you like to worship. However I can see where a non believer would think these things are trivial. I even thought that as I wrote the answer above!
I will say we left a church a few years back because they closed their Christian school with hardly any consideration, after 40 years. I had enrolled two of my children (Sarah being one), and it was an awesome place for her. Her life declined after leaving that school. I could never go back because they had no idea what they did to my child. I have had a hard time forgiving them, especially considering where we are today with her 😔. I think of the way it might have turned out had they stayed open and she was able to excel in her life. I’m sad just writing this.
Laura — I am advocating condoning those who reject the gospel, the central message. Many Methodist churches have — though there are exceptions, especially in the south. i’m filming The Jesus Who Surprises next month at a strong Methodist church in Georgia!
I often refer to the southeast as my “homeland!” My brother still lives in Atlanta, my mom and dad both worked in southern Georgia and I grew up in northern Florida. I suspect my home Methodist church is still a good one too.
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why? This little teaching is so rich; first, don’t fear your enemies present or future. How many of us are in fear or worry regarding our present circumstances…loss of a job, wayward children, age, wanting work a promotion or dissatisfaction with our present circumstances instead of having a living hope. I would say almost anything that is currently troubling or removing you from the position of rest and peace is your is your enemy. We let these things dictate life to us and remove us from the abundant life God so generously provides. To obey God is to not FEAR. Secondly, this trust and obedience to God is open to observation. How many of us can say when hit with a major problem that the unsaved around us can observe our Christianity? I live in the Bible belt and the people voice they are Christians like they say they are American, but they live like the devil. Currently, I had a upfront view of the life of woman in our church that has had multiple marriages, currently has a lover (her words), relationships with adult children and parents are riddled with years of problems etc but she would call herself a Christian. I am not pointing fingers but her Christianity is not observable. I am also looking at myself under a microscope, what do others see in me that would make them discount my faith in God. Our Christianity should be an outward experience that can be seen and heard. When God delivers us from an enemy, it can be seen. This is our testimony. Like the children of Israel, we should have testimony after testimony because He takes us from glory to glory.
2. Do you have any familiarity with the teaching of Francis Schaeffer or his wife Edith? If so, how has have they impacted you? Be specific. I have never been exposed to his teaching.
Tami, this is so true: “How many of us can say when hit with a major problem that the unsaved around us can observe our Christianity?”
3. Read Galatians 2 slowly and:
Note anything that stands out to you and why.
Paul had said in Galatians 1:4 that Jesus gave himself for our sins to RESCUE us from the present evil age; in Galatians 2:4-5, Paul describes a threat to this rescue: some “had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.” Paul says that they didn’t give in to them because of the truth of the gospel. I see that we are always in danger of becoming slaves again, after our rescue – when we believe lies and forget the truth of the gospel, when we turn to idols that enslave us, when we listen to false teaching, when we fear loss of approval of others and rejection and so go along with the crowd.
Peter demonstrated this fear in verse 12, when he began to separate himself from the Gentiles that he had been fellowshipping with because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. Peter was forgetting his rescue.
Describe the incident that Paul describes happening in Antioch.
When Peter first came to Antioch, he ate with the Gentiles. But when men who were sent by James who belonged to the “circumcision group” arrived, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles and separated himself from them because he was afraid. Paul called him out on his behavior, in front of everyone. Paul was upset because Peter’s hypocrisy was leading others, including Barnabas, astray.
Susan — you always look at the text so carefully.
Read again Galatians 2:1-5
4. What was Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7?
In verse 2:2 Paul says he went to Jerusalem in response to a revelation (I am assuming he received a revelation from the Lord Jesus) and he explained the gospel that he was preaching to the Gentiles. In 2:7, it appears that those with whom Paul met recognized that he had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.
5. Who brought up the matter of circumcision and why? (verses 3-4)
Paul brought it up, saying that some false brothers had joined them (Paul says they infiltrated their ranks) to spy on the freedom that was theirs in Christ. Pressuring the Gentiles to be circumcised would have made them slaves again. The message of the gospel, the message of freedom, that Paul was preaching, was at stake.
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5)
Paul refused to give in to their demands in order to preserve the truth of the gospel. Had he given in, it would have negated the message he had been preaching all along.
7. What is your view on our many diverse denominations? How good are you at accepting those who have different preferences?
I have always wondered this about the Reformation: I have heard sermons and read a few articles on Martin Luther, but how I wish I really knew (as if I was there) the historical account in detail. It is my understanding that initially, Luther only sought to reform the church of certain wrong practices, such as selling indulgences. So, it was not his first intention to split the church? That would mean that Luther believed in the church’s core doctrines, such as the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. While I can appreciate the diversity of the different traditions and styles of worship, it concerns and dismays me that we have so many different denominations and there can be very heated disagreements on “who is right”. There is a real lack of unity, finger-pointing, and I’ve heard judgmental statements such as “the ____church is demonic….they’re leading people to hell….”. That makes me very sad and sometimes, confused. How do we really know who is “right”?
8. What is the danger of raising preferences or traditions to non-negotiables? (Such as preferences in music, dress, and Bible translations?)
I believe the dangers are pride, lack of love, being judgmental, legalism, overemphasizing conformity and likely distorting the truth of the gospel so that people believe that by conforming to their way, traditions, and rules, they are being saved.
You make a very good point about churches splitting because of hard hearts. Yes, Luther meant to Reform the Catholic church. Good case in point.
9. How could speaking against another church over a negotiable cause listeners to dismiss Christianity? Have you done this?
I think it makes us look laughable – argumentative, quibbling, self-righteous, and yes, easily dismissed by unbelievers. I have found that in conversations with unbelievers, they often turn the conversation to things like this: styles of worship, etc….it detracts from talking about the real issue, which is the gospel! Have I done this? Well, I am ashamed to say that I have. I had converted to the same denomination as my husband after we were married, and then several years later, left that church for a non-denominational church. We had many arguments because I would argue that I was “right”, which made it all look very unattractive to my husband, who, when I began to understand what it really meant to be a Christian myself, I realized that he was not a believer after all. I have learned that you can never argue someone into believing anything.
10. Can you share a story of experiencing deep fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who was quite different from you in many ways?
I really haven’t had the opportunity to meet and have fellowship with a man or woman from a different culture or country….we’ve had missionaries visit at our church, but I’ve only listened to them speak to us during the service. There is a family who serves in Jordan, working with Syrian refugees, that I have met a few times; one time the wife shared a video with us in our class and it showed them having a picnic with Muslim women and their children – some had become Christians and some had not, but what struck me as I saw them eating and playing with the children that they are moms just like me; they love their children and families and were we able to talk together, we would have a lot in common.
11. How might you better give grace to true believers who have different preferences than you in worship and lifestyle?
Maybe ask more questions…tell me why you like this style of worship, what is meaningful about it to you…maybe join them in something they like to do at their church….in other words, don’t just close the door in their face, if only in an attitude towards them, but be curious and inquisitive instead of dismissive.
4. Paul’s mission was to bring the gospel to the Gentiles.
5. Circumcision was brought up by “false brothers”, spying on freedom and wanting to enslave.
6. Paul refused to budge at all on the truth.
7. Denominations. One emphasizes this and another that. I think that at the start of each one, many of them were statements against others who were edging toward apostasy or even heresy. Over time, however, the fire of true belief dies down and they become much of what they reacted against. It makes me sad that we are more proud of our differences than in our similarities. Yet because so many places don’t preach the gospel or the Bible, it is hard to know what to think. I know I have sister/friends who are Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal and Methodist. In our family we joke about the fact that we’ve lived in four towns, and changed denominations each time we moved. The first time was over core beliefs. The other times it was finding the congregation we felt most comfortable with that also met the needs of our family.
I love this thought… “Over time, however, the fire of true belief dies down and they become much of what they reacted against.”
4. What was Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7?
To preach the Word to the Gentiles.
5. Who brought up the matter of circumcision and why? (verses 3-4)
False believers “to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.”
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5)
He refuted them because he did not want the gospel to be adulterated-“…so that the truth of the gospel will be preserved for you.” I was watching a short video for our children’s ministry using ordinary daily objects to share the gospel. One was a bottle of pure water to represent the gospel and then the person added a few drops of food color-you can see the diffusion of the color into the water. No more pure water! So it is with the gospel. By faith alone to keep it pure. No pluses to add.
Great illustration for adults too!
Tuesday
Read again Galatians 2:1-5
4. What was Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7?
In verse 2, Paul, being sent by God, wanted to share with the leaders of the church the message he’d been preaching to the Gentiles and make sure they were all in agreement. In verse 7, they see that Paul had been given the responsibility to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
5. Who brought up the matter of circumcision and why?
Some so-called believers, false ones, really, who’d come in secretly to spy and take away the freedom they had in Christ Jesus. They brought up the question of Titus not being circumcised.
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5)
He refused to give in to them as he wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message.
7. What is your view on our many diverse denominations? How good are you at excepting those who have different preferences?
I have no problem with the many diverse denominations as long as the Word of God in truth and love is taught and lived out.
When Jim and I moved to North Carolina, the Conservative Baptist denomination was no where to be found. We were both raised that the Word of God is the authority and therefore that was our plum line in looking for a church. It was quite an undertaking and an eye opener and we both felt that God grew us up in taking us out of our comfort zone. We ended up in a church that have some different views and preferences but we know it’s right where God wants us to be and I think we’re stronger for it.
8. What is the danger of raising preferences or traditions to non-negotiable‘s? ( such as preferences in music, dress, or Bible translations? )
The danger is, turning our focus from the gospel message to menial things that make no difference in furthing the kingdom of God. It becomes about elevating works rather than grace and that’s when disunity sets in.
9. How could speaking against another church over a negotiable cause listeners to dismiss Christianity? Have you done this?
It draws them away from the gospel message of Jesus Christ to our own pettiness, disunity, gossip, slander, selfishness, lack of love, etc. What unbeliever would want to be a part of that, as they don’t see us being any different than they are…and maybe worse!
And yes, I’m sad and embarrassed to say, I’m guilty of doing this😞.
I’m curious what church you ended up in!
Steve and I too were stretched in our moves. Your father-in-law’s church was the only Baptist church we were ever in — and we loved it. My grandmother said, “Dee! Don’t you know Baptists are two steps down from Methodists?” Oh my. We have loved many denominations.
8. It is so important to keep the main thing the main thing!
9. I live a large part of my life with a foot in my mouth, so yes, I’ve offended a lot of people over the years. I’m not happy to need to confess it, and I pray that I’m improving at graciousness.
10. I’ve been out of the country a few times, and relish the memories of fellowship with people I could barely communicate with. This last Thanksgiving we had a family from Nigeria join us, and enjoyed them so much. There are some in my church I find myself avoiding because of their negativity or selfishness. Sometimes I wonder if people avoid me, thinking the same thing.
11. Over the last ten years my church has changed greatly in worship style. Leadership goals. The place of women. Really the whole atmosphere. It certainly hasn’t been to my liking. It is easy to say we’ll move, but finding what we want as well as what we need is pretty hard. At the same time, this is my family in Christ. The changes are not core. So we stay. That is a long, complicated answer. The short version says that I need to remember that the One to please is not me, or you. We are both there to please the Father.
Love this Mary: this is my family in Christ. The changes are not core. So we stay.
Now that I’m a church planter, I am so much more grateful to those with the above attitude, for it is impossible to please everyone and we aren’t called to do that. I thought Francis Chan’s “Letters to the Church” so insightful on this point. He talked about not being consumer driven, which is pretty common in America.
7. What is your view on our many diverse denominations? How good are you at accepting those who have different preferences?
From Dee: “Romans 14 urges and let every man stand before God on his own and not judge one another. This doesn’t mean we don’t stand up for the core gospel, for we must, but on peripheral issues, let us give grace.”
Me: I have friends from different denominations and I am learning to be accepting of their different preferences. I thank the Lord for allowing me to be exposed to different denominations while working alongside my husband in the Philippines reaching out to college students through the Navigators. I feel like this was a big part of what is helping me now to be more accepting. I still have much to learn but I am trusting God to help me do that.
8. What is the danger of raising preferences or traditions to non-negotiables? (Such as preferences in music, dress, or Bible translations?)
The gospel becomes adulterated and we can become legalistic or works oriented.
Monday: Clarifying the Gospel
3. Read Galatians 2 slowly and:
Note anything that stands out to you and why. – I see that he went out there again. That Titus was not forced to be circumcised so it didn’t matter if you were a Gentile or believer, the Gospel was being taught to everyone. Didn’t matter what class you were. He also didn’t bend to those who may have been influential. He did what God had called him to do.
Describe the incident that Paul describes happening in Antioch. – The Gospel was being preached to everyone there. God shows no partiality so he didn’t care who was there listening. He was obeying the call that God had set before him.
Tuesday: Grace means we accept anyone in Christ, regardless of other differences.
Read again Galatians 2:1-5.
4. What was Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7? – to reveal the Gospel to the Gentiles
5. Who brought up the matter of circumcision and why? (verses 3-4) – False brothers who were brought in as spies.
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5) – He did not yield to them, he stood his ground.
7. What is your view on our many diverse denominations? How good are you at accepting those who have different preferences? – I feel that as long as the Gospel is being preached, and preached the right way and not out of context, than that is what matters most. I just don’t want people to be deceived.
8. What is the danger of raising preferences or traditions to non-negotiables? (Such as preferences in music, dress, or Bible translations?) – It will come across as I was right and the church I go to is right. I could turn someone off that is deciding whether to be a Christian or not.
9. How could speaking against another church over a negotiable cause listeners to dismiss Christianity? Have you done this? – I think that we could hinder that walk or new relationship with Jesus. We need to understand the Gospel message and point them back to the Bible so it shows them that it is God who has spoken about the issue and not me. I don’t recall doing this to anyone.
10. Indeed, though we may have differences with other believers in the area of preference, Tim Keller makes the point that we have so much more in common with a Christian brother in Mongolia than we do with an unbeliever on our street who may live in a similar house, drive a similar car, and whose children go to the same school as ours. Can you share a story of experiencing deep fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who was quite different from you in many ways? – In 2010 my husband and I joined our church on a mission trip to Greece. We helped the homeless man and also helped another organization that was ministering the Afghanistan refugees who had escaped their country. Their eagerness and love to know more of Jesus just warmed my heart. They could barely speak English but that was a requirement and also to watch the Passion of Christ in order to get help with clothing and food. They were so thankful for the little bit they got but were so eager for Jesus.
11. How might you better give grace to true believers who have different preferences than you in worship and lifestyle? – I need to step back, breath and watch to see just how different they really are from me. We are all sinners so grace is needed to all of us. Our outside is just a shell, the true Christian will show from what is inside their hearts. It is not my job to judge, so I need to really put that into play and allow God to work in their lives, whether through me or someone else. If He has chosen them, then I should too, on his terms, not mine
Lovely Julie: If He has chosen them, then I should too, on his terms, not mine
Tuesday
10. Indeed, though we have many differences with other believers in the area of preference, Tim Keller makes the point that we have so much more in common with a Christian brother in Mongolia than we do with an unbeliever on our street who may live in a similar house, drive a similar car, and whose children go to the same school as ours. Can you share a story of experiencing deep fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who is quite different from you in many ways?
Living in the jungles of the Congo, I experienced fellowship in the church there. I was very young and everything was a new experience. Singing…oh, how they loved to sing…it was like nothing I’d ever heard before! Even though they sang in Swahili, they were hymns that I knew and I could just feel a sweet spirit of love and unity. I also loved how they would say “Amen” during prayer and the sermon…a very demonstrative people and so very genuine.
11. How might you better give grace to true believers who have different preferences than you in worship and lifestyle?
We’re all God’s children and it’s important to see others through the lens of love. I must remember that preferences in worship and lifestyle are not what makes one a believer, but rather what’s in the heart.
I must say this is so beautiful — wish for more of this!
Living in the jungles of the Congo, I experienced fellowship in the church there. I was very young and everything was a new experience. Singing…oh, how they loved to sing…it was like nothing I’d ever heard before! Even though they sang in Swahili, they were hymns that I knew and I could just feel a sweet spirit of love and unity. I also loved how they would say “Amen” during prayer and the sermon…a very demonstrative people and so very genuine.
Monday: Clarifying the Gospel
3. Read Galatians 2 slowly and: It is interesting to me that fear of man caused Peter to withdraw from eating with the gentiles and it had a spiraling effect, even influencing Barnabas! I love the strong words used to call obeying the law and faith in Christ…False Doctrine! In the King James Version it states, “Do not frustrate the grace of God”.
Note anything that stands out to you and why.
Describe the incident that Paul describes happening in Antioch.
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why?
Francis Shaeffer is one of those people whose writings are probably part of my psyche in so many ways that I do not even know how he has affected me. His books were books that were introduced to me by my husband before we were married and we read many of them and have reread many over the years. What can I say? He was an amazing man of God, on the par with Eugene Peterson as a giant of the faith.
Reading your opening reminded me of a new song by Audrey Assad that I heard last week for the first time. It is an adaptation of “Mine Eyes have seen the glory” but with the focus on God’s “peace will make us one.” I love it and it fits with Shaeffer’s emphasis. Here is the link: https://soundcloud.com/audreyassad/your-peace-will-make-us-one?fbclid=IwAR1FLuPCAyWaIa8aHcgVU0Cay9e2Y3FuEk9880rv0w0mIG9kuodMqJAYO_U
Beautiful song for Martin Luther King Jr day!
Dianne — that doesn’t surprise me about you and Schaeffer. And I love these new lyrics from Audrey — I want to see if we can sing them at our church! Thank you.
this is wonderful. Love her voice too.
Beautiful song Diane!
Read again Galatians 2:1-5.
4. What was Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7?
To proclaim the gospel or good news of grace to the Gentiles.
5. Who brought up the matter of circumcision and why? (verses 3-4)
False brethren, who were masquerading as Christians, brought up the matter of circumcision in order to bring true believers back into bondage to the Law.
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5)
He did not yield to these false teachers even for a moment so that the truth of grace would continue on with them in its purity!
7. What is your view on our our many diverse denominations? My view has changed over the years…when I was younger I thought that all the different denominations were a sign of a lack of unity. Then I spoke to my Dad, a Presbyterian minister, who said he thought that maybe the wide variety of denominations were needed to show off the multifaceted attributes of our God…that God is so big and unfathomable that no one group could fully reflect His glory.
How good are you at accepting those who have different preferences?
I think I am pretty good at this…I like a wide variety of worship styles. I do get most frustrated with those who are the most legalistic though 🙂
8. What is the danger of raising preferences or traditions to non-negotiables? (Such as preferences in music, dress, or Bible translations?)
The danger is that we begin to require “circumcision”of all believers…we fall back to Jesus plus!
9. How could speaking against another church over a negotiable cause listeners to dismiss Christianity? If believers speak out against those who disagree with them…how are we any different from the world? We become just another group spouting off about what we think!
Have you done this? I don’t think I have about worship differences…but feel sure I have generalized certain denominations and been critical of those who believe that baptism is the same as salvation or that baptism is done in Jesus’ name only or other issues that I feel are more core issues.
10. Can you share a story of experiencing deep fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who was quite different from you in many ways? My family was on the mission field when I was young and so I had friends among many believers from different backgrounds. That was true not just of those who were locals but also other missionaries from a wide variety of backgrounds. I have a deep love for people of color and enjoy times of worship in their churches and sharing conversations about their beliefs. What has struck me most is that we all have had to grapple with similar issues of the heart…doubt, discouragement, racism how to articulate our beliefs, etc. As you said…we are much more alike than we are different.
11. How might you better give grace to true believers who have different preferences than you in worship and lifestyle? I think it starts by being open and remembering we have the same Father.
I love your Dad’s point of view, Lucy!
Lucy, I love your Dad’s point of view as well. One of my very good friends is a Presbyterian! I love her depth in the Word.
10. Can you share a story of experiencing deep fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who was quite different from you in many ways?
I guess the only thing that fits this category for me is the extreme charismatic churches I have encountered since moving to the north. I’m guessing you call them that? There are people up here who have house “churches” as well as many churches that are Assembly of God and some called the Vineyard (more artsy folks go there). A lot of them seem “way out there” to me. However sometimes they visit our church, or some of their family attends our church more regularly. I try to see their worship as just being different, but I have to tell you that sometimes it makes me feel uncomfortable. Some of the house churches are run by people who would like to be pastors but don’t have the degree. I know they do good things for the community; one was even picked up by Time magazine for her efforts on the opiod crisis, and she also supported people who were trying to leave Syria couple of years back. I thin her interntions are good, however her method is SO different than mine. I have gone to a couple of her prayer gatherings and tried to participate; even dragged my husband. A long time ago though, her younger sister was head of the Christian group at the high school (defunct now) and I was a co- advisor to that group. We had a big issue with a Christmas dinner and the girl went home crying. The older sister showed up and berated me and the other co-advisor for putting pressure on her sister. The girl wasn’t doing what we asked her to do and we didn’t want the group to be judged if something went wrong. It was awkward. We had to follow our administrations policies and she didn’t like it. A few years later she ended up at our church for Wednesday night dinners (my husband and I used to cook). I felt like I should show her that I was a true Christian and could forgive her for yelling at me, so I swallowed my pride and did just that. It’s okay now, and I appreciate her help in the community, but she definitely is abrasive at times. Incidentally, her daughter dances with us now and her sister babysits the babies while I dance 😉
11. How might you better give grace to true believers who have different preferences than you in worship and lifestyle?
Well, what is a true believer? How do we know if someone is really a true believer? We know what we see, but what is in their heart? I look at myself…I think I am a true believer but then there are those times (last Saturday morning for example) when I am on the edge of faith because things are just not going my way. I wouldn’t admit that to just anyone (I did to our fb prayer group) so others don’t see this necessarily. They see the outside.
I think the woman I spoke of above is one, but she does tend to have this harsh side to her to get what she wants. I suppose grace, grace, amazing grace is how I would handle that. She is very good at helping those who are homeless to the point of even allowing them to live with her family. At times she has many people in her small home. We all have our ways; I couldn’t do what she does.
Laura,
Thanks for being so transparent about the abrasive woman that berated you on behalf of her sister. I have found that because we come into the church by faith in Christ’s completed work the church is full of all types of people. I have worked a bit in mercy, mission departments and have found that sometimes people are drawn to that type of work because they identify strongly with the needs of broken people. It is kind of like, sometimes people go into counseling to fix their own problems. The reason my mind went here reading your story, she rose to her sister’s defense (the underdog) but seemed to forget about the fruit of the spirit. She might have come into the church with a bit more baggage and has a way to go to become more refined.
12. Read Galatians 2:6-9
A. How was God’s calling to Paul and to Peter different?
Paul preached to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews.
B. How did God confirm that within the body?
Paul and Barnabas were accepted by the leaders (Peter, James and John) as being “legit.”
C. Why is it important that we take hold of what Christ has taken hold for us, and not take hold of what Christ has taken hold for another?
We should recognize our strengths and use them; we do it best because that’s what God planned for us.
I think this is interesting because as I grow older and look back in my life I wonder why God made me sometimes. I do things well but they are a struggle many times. I don’t seem to struggle as much when it comes to dance and I think that is where God wants me. Unfortunately, it doesn’t pay and I am not part of a missionary group to be funded (I wouldn’t even know how to do that and would not feel comfortable asking people for money). So, I do it on the side and hope I bless people in the process.
14. What did both of them agree they should both do, according to verse 10? (For private reflection so I don’t make you lose your reward: How do you do this in your life?)
They were both supposed to continue to help the poor.
Read again Galatians 2:1-5.
4. What was Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7?
To proclaim the Gospel in Jerusalem to the uncircumcised so to the Gentiles.
5. Who brought up the matter of circumcision and why? (verses 3-4)
The false brothers who crept in. Because they wanted to bring them into slavery again.
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5)
Paul did not submit to circumcision because he wanted the truth of the Gospel preserved for the Galatians.
7. What is your view on our our many diverse denominations? How good are you at accepting those who have different preferences?
I just think that we each have different aspects we focus more on than others and that is okay. (of course I am meaning Gospel solid churches). I wasn’t good at first because I thought our denomination was right about all the peripheral and everyone else was wrong, YIKES! but I am totally different in that now although I am finding I struggle when a church focuses way too much on obedience and not on Christ-even though they are Gospel centered. A mark of that, I am finding, is that there isn’t much discipleship going on outside church doors. Not sure if that is being too judgmental or not. :-/
8. What is the danger of raising preferences or traditions to non-negotiables? (Such as preferences in music, dress, or Bible translations?)
That can cause division and church splits which can hurt the body and hurt how unbelievers see our love for one another. So I think ultimately it hinders our witness. I have experienced those church splits over music and watched people I dearly love leave. I think we lost half the body at our church over music once.
9. How could speaking against another church over a negotiable cause listeners to dismiss Christianity? Have you done this?
They will see it as giving no Grace just like the world. So they will see no difference in us and not be attracted to Jesus. Yes I have to believers and it caused them to stumble. 🙁
10. Indeed, though we may have differences with other believers in the area of preference, Tim Keller makes the point that we have so much more in common with a Christian brother in Mongolia than we do with an unbeliever on our street who may live in a similar house, drive a similar car, and whose children go to the same school as ours. Can you share a story of experiencing deep fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who was quite different from you in many ways?
I have a friend who came from a completely different background than I. Her mother was a practicing witch and so my friend was exposed to things most young ones aren’t. (her mom later came to Christ!). My friend struggled with back and forth communicating almost like autism but hers, we think, was due to having fetal alcohol syndrome. We didn’t have a lot in common for she was charismatic and I wasn’t, however God tied our hearts so close in Jesus. When we were single we were roomies for years and God binded our hearts to help one another grow in Him. To this day we are still very close. Just wish I could talk on the phone at home for I think I would be better able to keep in touch with her.
Read again Galatians 2:1-5.
4. What was Paul’s mission according to Galatians 2:2 and 2:7? Paul wanted to submit his revelation to bring the gospel to the gentiles to the leaders to make sure he was on the right track. It was clear to the other leaders he was called to the gentiles and as they called to the Jews.
5. Who brought up the matter of circumcision and why? (verses 3-4) False believers brought up circumcision to remove the freedom they found in trusting Christ alone.
6. What stand did Paul take and why? (verse 5) Paul was unbending on the truth of faith in Christ produces salvation without works. He stood unwavering to preserve the freedom of the message for us!
And when we disagree on peripheral differences, can we just do as Romans 14 urges and let every man stand before God on his own and not judge one another? When I first became a Christian, I was pretty fixed on finding all of Christ as I did. Much of that was due to a dramatic conversion and not being raised in a church. The denomination that my extended family embraced added to the gospel. During life and death crisis due to a severe car accident that handicapped my father, my mom wanted to convert to their denomination and have her marriage recognised in the church. They allowed her to go to all the classes, baptise me but rejected her from becoming a member due to the fact she might leave my father and it would be a bad reflection on the church. Fortunately, my parents did not become bitter and truly found freedom and salvation in Christ many years later.
7. What is your view on our our many diverse denominations? How good are you at accepting those who have different preferences? When I meet people that are so different but Christ is the central theme in their life, it makes me explode inside. It increases my confidence in the Lord and my heart screams, “BIG GOD!”. My minds thinks and dreams of what the future will hold for us…streets of gold, no tears, and knowing him fully. Big God!
8. What is the danger of raising preferences or traditions to non-negotiables? (Such as preferences in music, dress, or Bible translations?) When the core message of freedom and salvation in Christ takes a backseat the message is watered down. People can’t find Christ easily with the manmade messages and demands. Then the church is really ineffective and unable to fulfill it’s mission.
9. How could speaking against another church over a negotiable cause listeners to dismiss Christianity? Have you done this? Yes, in my early days of becoming a Christian. I was zealous due to a dramatic conversion in a charismatic church but time has made me more sensible. I am also eager to please God and I was being judgemental.
Can you share a story of experiencing deep fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who was quite different from you in many ways? I had an opportunity to spend time with an Australian Missionary that raised a whole generation of kids in an orphanage in Uganda during civil war. She introduced us to a young man, David, rescued from jail during civil war, raised in the orphanage, and eventually starting a church Uganda. David spent several weeks with us over one summer and it is true we had more in common with him than many of our neighbors in the “Bible Belt” His passion for Christ was the central for his life! In the US we have many distractions.
11. How might you better give grace to true believers who have different preferences than you in worship and lifestyle? Receive them fully and accept their preferences just like in our own family, the members have different food preferences, sense of humor, hobbies, style, likes and dislikes.
BIG GOD! : ]
12.c. We need to take hold of what Christ has called us to because He has uniquely gifted and experienced us to do what only we can do in our sphere of influence. Right now I am the impetus for some fellowship times for women, centered in God’s transforming work in our lives. But the main outcome is being done by others. I own it, but I don’t.
12. Read Galatians 2:6-9
A. How was God’s calling to Paul and to Peter different?
Paul’s ministry was to the Gentiles while Peter’s ministry was to Jews.
B. How did God confirm that within the body?
By the empowering of the Holy Spirit that was evident in each apostle’s ministry.
C. Why is it important that we take hold of what Christ has taken hold for us, and not take hold of what Christ has taken hold for another?
Each of us has been gifted differently and had a unique set of life circumstances that make us each better at some things than others. God also lays different passions on each of our hearts.
Have you ever experienced the freedom of knowing that the need is not the call?
I have more often experience the opposite and let myself be talked into filling a need that was not my calling…I.e. serve on a search committee, prepare meals, etc. That does not help anyone when you approach a task as something that “has to be done”or as an obligation or chore.
13. How can you lovingly encourage someone right now who has a gift you appreciate with an e-mail or text?
My message could be the reminder to someone whose gift is less visible (prayer warriors, nursery worker) that their work has been noticed and appreciated.
14. What did both of them agree they should both do, according to verse 10?
To remember the poor. Later texts make it plain that they collected money to be shared with those who have a need.
I read this quote recently that seems to fit here…God gave you a fingerprint that no one else has, so you can leave an imprint that no one else can.
Wednesday
12. Read Galations 2:6-9
A. How was God’s calling to Paul and Peter different?
Paul was given the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews.
B. How did God confirm that within the body?
The leaders of the the church recognized the grace of God bestowed on Paul and gave him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship so they could go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews.
C. Why is it important that we take hold of what Christ has taken hold for us and not take hold of what Christ has taken hold for another?
If we take hold of what Christ has taken hold of us, we’re in His will. We have the power of the Holy Spirit and we do it in His strength not our own. I know from experience that taking hold of what Christ has taken hold for another fails miserably, because I was out of His will and doing it in my own strength.
14. What did both of them agree they should both do, according to verse 10?
Remember the poor.
Can you share a story of experiencing deep fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who was quite different from you in many ways?
Priscilla (Charismatic) She was my confidant and a mentor during my early years of teaching nursing school in the PI. She prayed fervently and often with tears.
Susan and Liz (Catholic) They are very organized in their ways and very other oriented. They served others with so much joy and used their resources to bless others. Susan (she died of cancer-her faith carried her through chemo and stages of dying) was a prayer partner with Moms In Touch and Liz is a P.E.O. sister.
11. How might you better give grace to true believers who have different preferences than you in worship and lifestyle?
To remember that we are a family and despite our differences, we are one in Christ. And we are all His beloved.
Bing, I see you mention P.E.O. My mom was a member of that organization and so was our own Deanna.
Wednesday: Within One Body, We Have Different Callings
12. Read Galatians 2:6-9
A. How was God’s calling to Paul and to Peter different? – they were both called to preach the Word but to two different groups of people
B. How did God confirm that within the body? – they received confirmation from James, Cephas and John.
C. Why is it important that we take hold of what Christ has taken hold for us,
and not take hold of what Christ has taken hold for another? – I think it is very important to know what you are called from God to do or not do. If you pursue a calling/gift that you are not suited to do, the outcome could be disastrous because your heart is not really into what you think you should be doing.
13. How can you lovingly encourage someone right now who has a gift you appreciate with an e-mail or text? – You can send them a note just telling them how much you appreciate the hard work they are doing and what a joy it is to see the love they have for it.
14. What did both of them agree they should both do, according to verse 10? (For private reflection so I don’t make you lose your reward: How do you do this in your life?) – they were asked to remember the poor among them. And they were eager to do it.