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Childrens Book of Galatians
Chapters 4 - 6
I have written this for children, based solely on the Word of God, but condensed for them... and used Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary for clarification of some words. My added comments are in italics, and there is a Memory Verse at the end.
Chapter 4
(starting at V4) When the fullness of the time was come (the time of God's choosing) God sent forth his Son, made of a woman (Jesus was born of Mary..he did not have an earthly father.. See Luke 1:26-35), to redeem them that were under the law.. (the Lord Jesus came to be the perfect sacrifice for sin, to pay the penalty for the sins of the world, so that we through faith in the Lord Jesus are set free from sin)
And because you are sons (we are adopted by faith to be called the children of God) God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.. Therefore you are not a no longer a servant, but a son, and if you are a son (by adoption) then you are an heir of God (of the promises of God) through Christ.
When you did not know God, you worshipped the things of the world, but now, after you have known God, and are known of God (because you are now Christians) why do you turn back to the former things that you were in bondage to (the law of Moses) You are keeping (in the Jewish calendar) days, months, times and years.
I fear for you, that I have preached the gospel to you for nothing. Brothers, I plead with you, be as I am, (a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ) for as I am, you are. When I first preached the gospel to you it was through my weakness in my body, and you did not hate me because of my weakness, and you did not reject me, but you received me as an angel (a messenger) of God.
Where now is the blessing of the gospel that you once spoke of? If it had been possible, you would have given me your own eyes (it is possible that the thorn of the flesh that Paul was given had to do with his eyes or eyesight)
Now have I become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?
They are eager to have an effect on you, but not to your good. In fact, they would turn you away (from the gospel) and have you follow them. I want to be there with you and speak differently to you (possibly that means with more strength and conviction) because I am concerned about you.
You that want to be under the law, don't you hear the law? that Abraham had two sons, one by a bondwoman (Hagar) and one by a freewoman (Sarah) But he that was born of Hagan was born after the flesh (that means that Sarah told Abraham to have a child by Hagar because Sarah did not have children) but he that was born by Sarah was by promise (at God's appointed time, Sarah gave birth to Isaac by her husband Abraham.. this child was the fulfillment of the promise God had made to Abraham)
These are like the two covenants (promises) one from Mount Sinai (the law of Moses) which brings bondage. But we, brothers, just as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
And just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac, it is the same now.
But what does the scripture say? Cast out the bondwoman and her son (Abraham cast out Hagar and Ishmael because Ishmael was mocking Isaac) for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So, brothers, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (that means that we are not under the law, but we are under the grace of God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.)
Memory Verse: Galatians 4:28 "Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
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Chapter 5
Stand firm in the liberty where Christ has made us free, and do not become tangled up with the law (of Moses). Christ is of no effect to those who (think that they are) justified by the law, you are fallen from grace.
Through the Spirit we, by faith, wait for the hope of righteousness (we wait for the day of our redemption, the day that the Lord Jesus comes for his own)
I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will not listen to these false teachers, but he that is troubling you will be judged, whoever he is.
Brothers, if I preach the things that the law requires, than I would not be preaching the gospel. Brothers, you have been called to freedom (in Christ) but don't use this liberty (from the law) as an excuse to do the things you want to do, but by love, serve one another.. all the law is fulfilled in one thing, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Walk in the Spirit (follow the leading of the Spirit in your daily life) and you shall not obey the temptations of this world.
If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Those which willingly commit sinful acts shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience through trials, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness (strength under control) moderation, there is no law against these things.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not desire glory (in ourselves) or envy one another.
Memory Verse: Galatians 5:22-23 " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience through trials, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness (strength under control) moderation, there is no law against these things."
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Chapter 6
Brothers, if a man has committed a sin, you that are spiritually mature, restore him with meekness, thinking of yourselves that you might be tempted in the same way. Bear one another's burdens (that means that we should help other Christians that are going through troubles), because if a man thinks that he is important when he is not important, then he deceives himself.
Let every man look at his own life in Christ, then he shall have joy in himself, and not in another. Every man shall bear his own burden (be accountable for what he has done as a Christian when he stands before the Lord at the judgment)
Let he that is taught, give all good things to he that is the teacher. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, whatever you sow, you reap. (that means if you do good works (as led by the Spirit) you will receive blessings from the good works you have done, but if you are not obedient, or do sinful things, you will go through difficult times)
Do not let us grow tired in doing good things (as led by the Spirit) for when the time has come, we will be rewarded if we keep on going. As the Lord gives us opportunities, let us do good to all men, especially to those who are Christians.
God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the things of and in the world have been put behind me. The only thing that matters is that in Christ we are a new creature.. (because our sins are forgiven and the Spirit is in us and leads us day by day.)
Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirit. Amen.
Memory Verse: Galatians 6:7 " Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, whatever you sow, you reap"
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V. Gross/Jan'07