This session has not been translated into your language yet, so it is shown in English.

Background of the Letter to the Galatians

1. READ

   Acts 13–14; Galatians 1:1-10

2. CONNECT

   10min
   The apostle Paul wrote his letters to address the specific needs of communities or individual believers. One of his earliest letters was written to the believers in the region of Galatia. His hope was to counteract the damaging and divisive effect of false teachers who were misrepresenting the relationship between Jewish traditions and new life in Christ.

3. Reflection

   What was the community or context in which you came to faith in Christ and grew in your relationship with him? Describe some of its characteristics.

4. WATCH

   20min

5. DISCUSS

   10min
   • What is something that stood out to you from the video?
   • List some of the dearly held traditions of your faith community.
     • Which of these are specifically taught in Scripture?
     • Which ones are community standards that may be wise or helpful but are not specifically commanded in Scripture?
   • According to the video, why does Paul say, “If you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you” (Galatians 5:2)?
   • What are the sources of division among Christians in your community right now?
   • What does the teaching in this lesson about unity in the church make you think about this disunity?

6. Straight from the Heart

   15min
   Divine Judgment In Galatians 1:9 Paul writes, “If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Literally, “Let there be an anathema, an excommunication, on such a person.”). Terms like “anathema” and “excommunication” have fallen out of favor in much of the world. Many Christians are deeply embarrassed by the way the church has used and abused its power throughout the centuries. But Paul’s judgments were not founded on his opinion or preferences. Rather, he followed Christ’s example of warning people of God’s coming judgment. Paul was deeply concerned with the ultimate destiny of the Galatians. He knew that true believers in Christ can never lose their salvation. But he also knew that not everyone who professes faith has saving faith. So, he warned the Galatian church not to forget the coming judgment of God. And he hoped this warning would encourage them to rely on Christ and the Holy Spirit for salvation instead of trying to earn God’s good pleasure by their actions.

   • Describe the tone of Jesus’ warnings in Matthew 18:6-7 and Matthew 23:13-15.
   • What common characteristics do you see between the teachers of the law Jesus describes in Mark 12:38-40 and the teachers Paul describes in Galatians 6:12-13?
   • What arguments does Paul use in Galatians 6:7-9 to impress upon the believers their personal responsibility?

7. APPLY

   Take some time to consider the following questions:

   • In Galatians 3:3 Paul writes, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” In what ways do you rely on yourself and your actions to please God?
   • Choose someone on the other side of a divisive issue and pray for God’s peace and mercy to be upon them (Galatians 6:15-16). If God brings to your mind practical steps you can take to close the gap in your fellowship with them, do it.
   • How has this study clarified your understanding of the sufficiency of Christ?
   • Where has it challenged you? What do you want to do as a result?

   Session 4 Handout

   Word  PDF