Galatians: Faithbuilders Bible Study Guide

By Mathew Bartlett

A simple verse by verse guide to the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians for individual or group use. Every chapter has thought provoking discussion questions to aid study and sample answers are provided.
The full Bible text is quoted (New English Translation).
Unlike in most group studies, a complete commentary of every part of th

• Language: English
• Publisher: Apostolos Publishing Ltd
• Release date: May 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781912120819

Mathew Bartlett

Mathew Bartlett holds a MA in biblical studies from Chester University, and is researching for PhD in Lukan rhetoric.

Book preview

Faithbuilders Bible Studies

The Faithbuilders Bible study series has been developed as a useful resource for today’s students of God’s Word and their busy lifestyles. Pastors, home or study group leaders and indeed for anyone wishing to study the Bible for themselves will benefit from using Faithbuilders studies.

Each volume is the result of many years of group Bible study, and has been revised in order to be relevant, challenging and faith building whilst remaining clear and easy to understand, helping more people to discover the blessings of God’s Word.

Mathew Bartlett holds a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from the University of Chester, England and is currently studying for PhD in Greek rhetorical technique in Luke-Acts at the University of Roehampton, London. Derek Williams is now retired, having been a pastor and preacher for over 40 years.

Contents

Faithbuilders Bible Studies

Introduction Authorship and Date

Background

Brief Summary of Content

Galatians 1

Greetings

Only One Gospel

Revelation from Christ

Going to Jerusalem

Discussion Questions for Chapter 1

Galatians 2

Paul Defends the Gospel

An Uncompromising Gospel

Discussion Questions for Chapter 2

Galatians 3

Justified by Faith

The Law Brings a Curse

The Unchangeable Promise

The Purpose of the Law

Abba, Father: Sons and Heirs

Discussion Questions for Chapter 3

Galatians 4

Coming of Age

Backsliding

A Love That is Willing to Care

Sincere Motives

Children of Promise

Discussion Questions for Chapter 4

Galatians 5

Stand Fast in the Freedom Christ has Given

Who Hinders You?

Love Fulfils the Law

Walk in the Spirit

The Works of the Flesh

The Fruit of the Spirit

Discussion Questions for Chapter 5

Galatians 6

Bearing and Sharing Burdens

Sowing Right

Glory Only in the Cross

The Blessing

Discussion Questions for Chapter 6

Sample Answers to Discussion Questions

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Bibliography

Appendix – How to Use this Study Guide

Introduction Authorship and Date

The authorship of the Galatian epistle has only rarely been questioned, whether in terms of style, character, or argument. It is a generally widespread view that it was written by the Christian apostle Paul, whose ministry in the province of Galatia is recorded by Luke in Acts 16:6 (with a return visit mentioned in Acts 18:23). Where scholars differ greatly is over the dating of the letter, with 49–58 CE being the outer limits of their suggestions. Yet, whereas dating the letter more precisely than this has great implications for the study of the history of early Christianity, and the development over time of Paul’s theology, it has considerably less relevance for those of us who merely wish to understand the overall teaching of the letter, and its application to our Christian lives.

Background

Although Luke tells us very little about Paul’s ministry in the province of Galatia, it is evident that Paul’s founded several churches there. No further details are given about how many believed, or under what circumstances conversions took place. For instance, no Galatian miracles are recorded in Acts (though Paul refers to them in Gal 3:5).

Some time later (the period is not well defined), the churches in Galatia had been infiltrated by false teachers, who sought to undermine Paul’s preaching of the gospel of God’s grace. The letter to the Galatians reveals several characteristics of these opponents (especially in 1:6–9 and 6:11–18), but never names them precisely. It is a generally held view that these men were Judaizers, who taught the recent converts to Christ that they should be circumcised and obey the laws of Moses to be fully assured of being in the right standing of covenant relationship with God. Paul’s answer to their false teaching remains the central theme of the letter—but no doubt it is this solid gospel teaching given by Paul, and not the content of the false teaching, that should take precedence in our minds. That was, after all, the aim of his writing to the Galatians.

Brief Summary of Content

Although the Christian churches in Galatia had begun well (5:17)—hearing and believing the gospel from Paul, and receiving the Holy Spirit from God—they had more recently turned away from the teachings Paul had given them (1:6) to embrace a kind of Judaizing teaching, similar to that described earlier by Luke is Acts 15:1:

Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers,