The following discussion questions have been prepared to accompany the sermon on January 20, “Keeping Our Conduct in Step With the Truth of the Gospel” (Galatians 2:11–16). The questions can be used for discussion in small groups or for personal reflection.

Outline

1. The Confrontation (Galatians 2:11)
2. The Explanation (Galatians 2:12–16)
   
   • What did Peter do? (Galatians 2:12a)
   • What motivated Peter to do that? (Galatians 2:12b)
   • What did Paul call Peter’s change of behavior? (Galatians 2:13)
   • What made this hypocrisy so serious that it was condemnable? (Galatians 2:14a)
   • What did Paul say to Peter? (Galatians 2:14b–16)

Main Point: Confrontation is needed when our conduct is not in step with the truth of the gospel.

Discussion Questions

• What does Galatians 2:11 tell us about the epic magnitude of this confrontation?
• In the explanation, what does Paul tell us Peter did (Galatians 2:12a) that led to this confrontation?
• What does Paul tell us about what motivated Peter (Galatians 2:12b) to do that?
• What does Paul call Peter’s change of behavior (Galatians 2:13)?
• What does Paul say made this hypocrisy so serious (Galatians 2:14a) that it was condemnable?
• In the end (Galatians 2:14b–16), what did Paul say to Peter?
• What lessons can we learn from our evangelical history in America about conduct that is not in keeping with the gospel?
• In charting a course for the future, what are the left and right ditches that we need to avoid?

Application Questions

• What lessons have you learned from our evangelical history of slavery and segregation?
• Have you personally seen examples of the left and right ditches that we need to avoid?
• What things can you do personally to bring light and heat together on this issue? As a church, what things we do corporately to bring light and heat together?

Prayer Focus
Pray for a grace to uphold the truth of the gospel. Pray for a grace to keep our conduct in step with the gospel. Pray for a grace to see where we fall short and then to repent and change. Pray for the boldness to confront conduct that is not in step with the gospel.