Week 4

Galatians 2:1-10


This week we embark on Galatians Chapter 2.  I have sat at my desk here and read, and re-read the first 10 verses of this chapter several times.  My eyes keep being drawn back to two different verses.

vs. 4: "This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves."

Maybe it is just me, but I think many of us can relate to feeling like there are false brothers and sisters that infiltrate our lives.  Those people who profess to be Christian, but are more concerned about the rules, and rule following.  They want to "make us slaves" to the law, to duty, to the man-made rules we ought to follow.  What I love most about freedom in Christ Jesus is that there is nothing more we can do for our salvation.  All the "oughts" can be left at the cross.  We do not need to enslave ourselves to our past, our sin nature, or the rules and laws placed on us by others, no matter how well meaning they may be.


vs. 6: "As for those who seemed to be important - whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance - those men added nothing to my message."


Often times pastors will listen to and read other pastors messages to aid them in their study and encourage them in their walk.  Over the years I have found myself doing the same from time to time.  It is so easy to find yourself critiquing the pastor and placing some above others.  And I would guess that often times it isn't even based on the biblical nature of what they said but on the popularity of what they said.  Paul here warns us not to think too highly of others, to not put them in a place of importance beyond where they belong.  As he says, God doesn't judge the external and they add nothing to our message.  If we are following God's call on our lives, living in the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, then these "important" people hold no bearing on the importance of our lives.

Questions to Ponder:

• What about you?  Are you the type of person who usually "goes with the crowd" or do you "do your own thing?"

• How do you feel when your beliefs are contrary to popular opinion?  On what issue do you need to stand alone?  

Week 3: Paul Called By God

Galatians 1:11-24

This week we're reading about Paul's calling. Paul makes it very clear in this passage that the gospel he preached "is not something that man made up."~verse 11 Rather, Paul received the gospel "by revelation from Jesus Christ."~verse 12 Paul was called by God.

In Paul's previous life, he persecuted God's church and tried to destroy it. He admits he was "extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers."~verse 14 Paul tells how he was converted from this way of life and commissioned by God to preach the gospel of Christ. Paul was called for God's purposes.

Several things stand out to me in this passage, and challenge me to live out my own calling from God. First, Paul describes himself as set apart. "But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles."~verses 15,16a Am I living my life as one who is set apart? Is God pleased to reveal his Son in me? Second, when Paul realized his calling, he "did not consult any man."~verse 16b How sure am I of God's calling in my life? Do I look to others for affirmation or significance, or do I look only to God?

These are some thought-provoking questions. How might we apply this to our lives today? For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to fit in. I want to be accepted. Who doesn't, right? So, what does it mean to be set apart? I believe it involves the realization that I am not living my life for myself. My life serves a purpose greater than merely getting through another day, another week, or another year. I have been called by God to be set apart for Him. When I live as one who is set apart, God is pleased to reveal his Son in me. WOW! Living like that means that I am really living. God uses my words and my actions to reveal Himself to those around me. Every peak and every valley of my life has an eternal purpose. Like Paul, I am called by God for God's purposes.

As Paul brings the first chapter of Galatians to a close, he succinctly describes the fruit of God's calling upon his life. "And they praised God because of me."~verse 24 For God to completely transform Paul's life into one that brings Him praise, is nothing short of miraculous. This realization increases my faith today. God can take the messiest parts of my life and turn them into praises to His name. Now, that is a calling I don't want to miss out on!

-Sarah Ann

Week 2: Time to Dig In

Here we are at the onset of our 2nd week. 


How are you all doing with this format so far?


I trust that this is as much of a joy to each of you as it has been to me (Sarah Beth) this past week.  I have enjoyed getting to know each of the women in my groups and hearing your thoughts, prayer requests, and questions as we read through the entire book of Galatians.




There are so many aspects of this study that excite me.  

1. Hearing thoughts and ideas from women in many different stages of life
2. Being able to connect any time of day and in any location
3. Knowing that women in FOUR different states are involved in the same study
4. Serving with wonderful women- Justine & Sarah Ann

But most of all there is one thing that excites me the most about this study:

Being in the Word on a daily basis!  

All of us - all throughout the week.  

In my life there is only one place I have been able to find any truth that has changed my life, and that is in the Word of God.  I love to read and often read wonderful books that support what the Lord is teaching me in His Word.  But NOTHING I have ever found works on my heart to make life change the way being in scripture does.  Only there do I hear from my Lord in a most personal way.

I have seen in my own life, and the lives of countless women around me, how when the Word of God is the power for change in our lives, women become better wives, mothers, workers, employers.  And THAT is what excites me so much about knowing this wonderful group of nearly 45 women are in the Word on a daily basis.  

So - don't be discouraged if you didn't make it through every chapter last week.  Don't be discouraged if you don't make it to your online chat board each day.  Just keep in the Word.  Keep reading His Truth and join us along the way.

I look forward to seeing how God uses this time to change all of our lives!

week one - Galatians Chapter 1

3 So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! 4 We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. 5 Glory to God forever! Oh, yes!  (MSG Version)

I (Justine) love how Paul greets the Galatians.  I believe he sets the stage for this first chapter by putting front and center that Jesus is here to save + that God's plan is that we all - no matter who you used to be or are - experience His Rescue.  Who better to state this than Paul?  We read this letter with the knowledge that his Rescue came smack dab in the middle of purposefully killing Christians (Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-19).  So with this foundation, Paul continues the letter.

I have often caught myself rationalizing the truth that God's Grace reaches everyone.  Everyone surely can't mean everyone, right?  Only those that are truly repentant.  Only if you make a lasting change.  Only if you believe the right way, act a certain way, stop dressing that way, and start living this way.  I am relieved to say that our Father's character is so very far from that!  Paul's message is simple: people can change.  There are no stipulations, age requirements or prerequisites.  We don't have to turn in our bank statements, our diplomas, our speeding tickets or debt history.  Caught in the middle of people-pleasing, power-wielding, killing sprees, and downright awfulness, Paul's story exemplifies perfect Grace.

This radical change in Paul's life didn't go unnoticed.  How could it?  Let's imagine for a minute.  Three days ago, breaking news came on our tv's, smart phones, and radios saying, "Saul, a known Christian-killer and persecutor is at it again.  He was just spotted storming about the latest town dragging men, women, and little children out of their houses and throwing them in prison.  He even authorized a killing in the streets recently that rocked the community.  Local authorities are begging all Christians to try to find a safe hiding place as soon as possible.  Red Cross has set up a disaster site in many areas.  Please contact the number below if you are in need of immediate refuge."  Can't you just hear it?

Fast forward to an hour ago.  This time, the breaking news didn't cause fear.  It caused absolute awe.  "I - I guess I am at a loss for words.  This just in... Saul, whom we just reported on three days ago, has.. well, I guess I don't know how to say this.  During a turn of events from the last time we reported, Saul became blind after having an encounter with God.  Yes, you heard me.. God!  Someone named Ananias is seen in this video clip going into Saul's house.  Something amazing just went on inside that house because after he came out Saul not only has stopped persecuting Christians, he has joined their side proclaiming Jesus as Lord!  Praise God!!"  Status likes and retweets go viral: "He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy."  Just like He Who Must Not Be Named in Harry Potter, they don't even dare say Saul's name!

God always wins out, doesn't He?  Just like Paul states in vs. 15, God had Paul's story written out in a beautiful language that still makes us speechless even before he was born!  It makes sense that Paul's response to the Galatians for abandoning the faith was astonishment.  The IVP New Testament Commentary says, "In contrast to Paul's ego-centered former life, God himself is the central subject in Paul's conversion. God is the subject of all the verbs: God, who set me apart . . . called . . . was pleased to reveal. God abruptly interrupted Paul's life and turned him around." And when God made a mighty change in Paul the people around him glorified God!  God had chosen to be the center of Paul's life and Paul allowed Him that place.

Where is God for you?  On the side, in a box, out of view, or right in the center?  Does your life cause others around you to glorify God?  Like me, have you ever struggled to accept that God's grace reaches everyone and is enough - no matter what their history is?  Maybe that Truth needs to sink in for you: "Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue." If you're in need of rescuing, take a look back over the chapter and let God show You - through Paul's life story - that He is faithful to rescue, even if you're one of the most well-known Christian killers of all time.

Justine