The Portal

Galatians is one of the earliest New Testament books, like James, and it’s a sweet picture of how God’s love shocked the 1st Century.

Can you imagine hearing the good news of “total forgiveness” if you lived back then? After a dreary life of a “yoke of slavery” sacrificing to silly Greek gods, Paul comes to town with this amazing message that “it was for freedom that Christ set us free!” (Gal. 5:1)

Now, 2,000 years later, watch new people at CT get surprised by the sweet freedom in Galatians. Christianity is so common and always in the mass media, yet people never hear about this radical grace.  Satan hates this book and fights the message with all his power.

Galatia is near Paul's home town, and not exactly a 'missionary journey' - but it is similar to our 'jump' desires.

Bring some new people to hear about it. If you’re frustrated explaining grace, or someone just can’t believe it, Galatians will straightened it out.

Blueprints in Galatians

But it’s more than a study in radical grace. How’s your fellowship going?

Galatians is great for all our new Bible studies and leaders because it gives a clear picture of what the earliest Christian koinonia (fellowship) looks like without all the institutional machinery. It’s a great way to establish new Christians, new Christian groups, and rediscover “it was for freedom that Christ set us free!”

Wouldn’t you love to describe your fellowship that way?

Study some background:

• Read about Stephen’s death in Acts 6-7, because God drafted Paul to replace this guy and carry his message forward in Galatians.
• Read about Paul’s conversion in Acts 9, and the activity at Antioch in Acts 11:19, because Paul describes this in Galatians.
• Read about Paul’s First Missionary Journey in Acts 13-14, which is in the region of Galatia.
• Read about the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, which is the when this book was written.