Galatians 1 - “The Gospel of Christ” April 11, 2021 (Week #1 of 6)
One of the most striking promises of the Gospel is that we will have freedom in Christ. But what does this mean and how can it change our lives? Let’s dig into the book of Galatians and learn about the Gospel of Grace given by Christ to Paul and the approval of others.
Let’s Get Started:
1. What stayed with you from Sunday’s sermon?
2. What did you learn about Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia?
Let’s Get in the Word:
● Read Galatians 1:1-5.
○ Paul’s greeting is full of descriptive words. How does Paul describe where his role as an apostle came from in verse 1?
○ What does Paul say about God the Father & the Lord Jesus Christ?
● Read Galatians 1:6-9, emphasizing the word “gospel”.
○ What astonished Paul in verses 6?
○ What does Paul say about “a different gospel” and those who preach it?
● Read Galatians 1:10-12.
○ Is Paul seeking approval from man or God? What does Paul say about seeking to please both man and God?
○ Where did the gospel Paul preached come from? NOT come from?
● Read Galatians 1:13-17.
○ How does Paul describe his former life? What was he zealous for? ○ “But” in verse 15 signals a change. Who changed him? How? Why?
○ In verse 16, who did Paul consult with?
● Read Galatians 1:18-2:2.
○ Why is Paul writing about his personal history and travels? What is he trying to prove? (see verses 1 & 12 if you need a hint)
● The word “gospel” appears about 70 times in Paul’s letters. Let’s look to another of Paul’s letters to gain more insight into the gospel Paul preached.
○ Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, emphasizing “you”. What insight does this give you to the gospel?
○ Read 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8. What do you learn?
○ Read 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, emphasizing the word “grace”. What do you learn about Paul?
Let’s Apply this to our lives:
● Paul emphasized the gospel he preached was received through a revelation of Jesus Christ and not from man. Why is this important to us today?
● Is the gospel of Christ in danger of distortion today?
● What are you extremely zealous about? Does your focus please man or God?
● Paul emphasized God’s life-changing grace in his own life. Do you need and/or have you already experienced God’s life-changing grace?
Challenge for the week: If you’d like more background on Paul and why Paul was zealous for the gospel of Christ, please read the following scripture this week:
Philippians 3:4-6
Acts 7:54 - 8:3 (meet Paul who was called by his Hebrew name Saul)
1 Timothy 1:12-16
Acts 9:1-18 (Paul’s conversion story)