Bible Study - Galatians 1.11-end

Bible Study – Galatians 1.11-end

First have a look at 1.6-10 which shows how angry Paul is and sums up his reason for writing Galatians.

Q1 Does the harsh tone of Paul’s words surprise you?

Paul’s letter to the Galatians may be the oldest book in the New Testament (about 49AD). It is an angry yet eloquent response to some teachers who had followed him into the Galatian Churches (probably Lystra, Derbe and Iconium etc). They were teaching that faith in Jesus is not enough, believers also have to become Jewish and follow all the Jewish laws and rituals.

Now read verses 11 to 17.

Q2 What claims does Paul make about his version of the gospel and his appointment as an apostle? How well do his claims fit with what we read in Acts 9, Acts 22 and Acts 26?

Q3 Paul writes that God had set him apart and called him from birth. How is it that he became a persecutor of the first Christians?

Q4 Paul emphasizes the pure and true SOURCE of his authority and message. Today we have access to more information than any other people in history. How reliable are our sources? How well equipped are we to evaluate the information we receive?

Q5 Paul states his vocation very simply and clearly (v15-16). Can we do the same for ourselves individually and as a Church?

Now read verses 18 to 24.

Q6 What do you think might have been discussed during Paul’s 2 week stay with Peter? What might each have been able to learn from the other? (Note that Paul had already been a Christian missionary for three years).

Q7 The dramatic conversion of their former enemy caused the Judean Christians to praise God (v22-24). What is our attitude to our enemies? How are we praying for them? (see also Luke 6.27-28).

Throughout Galatians Paul argues passionately for a gospel of grace and freedom, against a legalistic gospel of control and rules…

Q8 Should our preaching and evangelism today have the same emphasis as Paul’s? Are there dangers in this?

Q9 Paul also emphasized Christian moral standards, directed by love and obedience to the Holy Spirit. How can we promote these values without slipping into legalism?