1. How does Paul identify himself in vs. 1? 2. Who appointed Paul to be an apostle?

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1 The lessons for each week are divided up into a five day study. Each day will cover a section of the scripture we are studying for this lesson. As you READ each section of scripture pray for God to REVEAL His truths to you so that you will be able to RESPOND to what God is teaching you and you will be able to apply His Word in your life. Do not be discouraged if you have difficulties with some of the questions. When we get together each week we will have a teaching time to help with your understanding of each verse. Day 1 Only One Gospel Galatians 1 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. Galatians 1:11 Lesson 2 Galatians 1:1-5 1) Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2) And all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4) Who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5) To whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. 1. How does Paul identify himself in vs. 1? Apostle = one who has been sent or commissioned as a representative of a church or of God Himself 2. Who appointed Paul to be an apostle? 3. Why do you think Paul included the statement all the brethren who are with me in vs. 2? 4. What does Paul extend to all the recipients of this letter according to vs. 3? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 1

2 5. Read vs 4. Read also Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:25, I Timothy 2:6, and Titus 2:14. What one thing do all these verses tell us that Jesus Christ voluntarily did for us? 6. Why did He do this? Read also Colossians 1: What does that say to your heart about Jesus love for you? 8. Read Matthew 26: How do these verses relate to vs. 4? In giving His life who was He being obedient to? According to the gospel of grace, all the glory for man s salvation goes to God the Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ. Man cannot share this glory as a co-savior by keeping the law. William MacDonald, Believer s Bible Commentary, pg What is the outcome of Jesus obedience to His Father s will according to vs. 5? Day 2 Galatians 1:6-9 6) I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7) Which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8) But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9) As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 2

3 1. What emotion(s) was Paul feeling according to vs. 6? 2. Why was he feeling this way? 3. Who is being referred to in vs. 7? What were they doing? 4. How do you think the gospel was being distorted? 5. How would you define legalism? 6. Why do you think the Galatians were so quick to desert what Paul had taught them? God had called them into the grace of Christ; now they were putting themselves under the curse of the law. William MacDonald, Believer s Bible Commentary, pg Read I Corinthians 15:1-4. What is the true gospel according to these verses? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 3

4 If Paul were alive today, he would be disappointed that so many Christians struggle under the bondage of legalism rather than thrive in the freedom of grace. Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll s Living Insights, NT Comentary, Galatians/Ephesians, pg Have you ever heard the gospel message distorted in any way? If so, give an example. 9. What will happen to any person who preaches a gospel contrary to the true gospel that Paul preached? (vs. 8-9) What does this really mean for that person? 10. Paul had great passion to help the Galatians hold on to the true gospel. Do you have that same passion? Do you have a passion for the purity of the gospel? Are you willing to stand up and fight for the gospel? 11. Do you know of anyone in your life that trusted Christ for salvation, but within a short time went back to their old ways of being self-sufficient? Following the example of Paul, what can we do for these friends or family members? Notice, though, that the message isn t the only thing which the Galatians turned away. They deserted Him, that is God. He is the giver, the source, of grace. To abandon the gift of grace, then, is to desert the giver. The Greek word for desert suggests a military defection. The Galatians, in other words, had become spiritual turncoats, shifting their allegiance to another message of salvation. Charles R. Swindoll, Galatians Bible Study Guide, pg. 11 Being a Christian doesn t mean we go looking for a fight. But it does mean that when perversions of the gospel seep into our churches, we should be willing not only to teach the truth, but also expose the falsehood. Charles R. Swindoll, Galatians Bible Study Guide, pg. 15 Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 4

5 Day 3 Galatians 1: ) For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. 11) For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12) For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 1. What is Paul saying in vs. 10? Was he a people pleaser? Is he still a people pleaser? Why or why not? 2. Have you ever been a people pleaser? If so, what is vs. 10 speaking to you? 3. According to vs , why should the Galatians listen to Paul and not the Judaizers? Day 4 Galatians 1: ) For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14) And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15) But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16) To reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17) Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 5

6 1. Read vs. 13. What did Paul do in his former manner of life? 2. In contrast, what did Paul do in the region of Galatia on his missionary journeys? (Acts 13 & 14) 3. According to vs. 14, what was Paul extremely zealous for? What was at the core of Judaism? 4. Read Deuteronomy 4:2. What does this verse teach us about traditions? 5. Are there any traditions in your life that take priority over the truth of God s Word? 6. As a believer, what does God want us to be zealous for? How has the gospel changed your life? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 6

7 7. What do verses tell you about God s heart toward you? (Read also Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah29:11, and Psalm 139:13-16) 8. According to vs. 16, why did God choose Paul? 9. Does God want to reveal His Son in you and me? God s hand was on Paul s life from the moment of his birth. He arranged for Paul to be a well-educated Jew, a Roman citizen, and a man who was immersed in the Greek culture from boyhood. God knew what Paul needed to prepare him for the ministry. God creates us for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11). He has a specific purpose for each one of us, and we can only be fulfilled when we re serving Him according to His plan (Psalm 17:15; John 8:29). Chuck Smith, New Testament Study Guide, pg. 100 Day 5 Galatians 1: ) Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19) But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord s brother. 20) (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) 21) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22) I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; 23) But only, they kept hearing, He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. 24) And they were glorifying God because of me. Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 7

8 1. Reread vs Paul did not go to spend time with the other apostles. What do you think he was doing during this three year time period? 2. Read Zechariah 4:6 and I Corinthians 2:12-13 According to these verses, who continued to teach Paul? 3. What warning is given to new believers in I Timothy 3:6 and James 3:1? Why is it so important for new believers to be grounded in the truth of God s Word? 4. Why do you think Paul included vs. 20? 5. Has your integrity ever been questioned? Read Romans 9:1 and II Corinthians 11:31. Who is the ultimate witness of our integrity? 6. Read Acts 9:30 and Acts 22:3. Where did Paul go when he went to Syria and Cilicia? 7. Though people had not met Paul in person, they heard about him. According to vs. 23 what had they heard? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 8

9 8. Paul s life had been radically changed by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. According to vs. 24, what is the outcome of a life changed by God? 9. Where are you at today? Are you living in bondage to legalism or in the liberty of God s grace? 10. What is one way your life has been changed because you believed the truth of the gospel? Are other people giving God glory because of who you are? 11. If a close Christian friend of your was being persuaded to join a cult or a false teaching church, what would you do? Each and every one of us needs to understand the truth of the gospel. We need to know when anyone tries to add to, subtract from, or change any part of the gospel message. Pray that God gives you wisdom and discernment to fully understand the truth of the gospel and ask Him how He wants you to personally apply this truth to your life. Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 9

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