This 4-part Bible study explores Paul’s letter to the Galatians - a passionate defence of the Gospel of grace; its availability to people of all cultural backgrounds; and how to live empowered by the Holy Spirit. Some consider Galatians to be Paul’s ‘Magna Carta’ as he clearly establishes the foundation of Christian identity - that we are saved by faith in Christ alone. Paul asserts that true freedom comes through faith in Christ, not through human effort or law-keeping - and that freedom leads to a Spirit-empowered, abundant life of discipleship. Some of the Galatians were arguing that non-Jewish believers (Gentiles) also needed to conform themselves to Mosaic Law.

After his first missionary journey, Paul seeks to address the conflict and tension between Jewish and Gentile believers - speaking directly to this divisive conflict and confusion over Christian identity:

● Who is Jesus’ Gospel for?

● Who may follow Jesus - and how do they qualify?

● Who can consider themselves as part of God’s people?

● How does Jesus’ Gospel unite and transform all believers?

It is worth noting that this controversy wasn’t just experienced by the Galatian churches. His letter effectively was a manifesto for this issue that would be addressed only months later at the Council of Jersalem (Acts 15) - which clarified that the truth and promise of Jesus’ Gospel was available to Jews and Gentiles alike. The Gospel transcends all different political, religious, cultural and demographic boundaries - uniting all believers together under Jesus!

● Study 1: The True Gospel (Galatians 1–2) Paul confronts legalism and wrong teaching on religious-exclusivity by powerfully asserting that there is only one true Gospel: salvation through Christ alone. The Gospel requires no further additions, rituals, or ‘extras’.

● Study 2: Promise, Not Performance (Galatians 3) Paul argues that righteousness is inherited for all believers through faith, just as it was for Abraham. While the Law guides - life comes through God’s ancient, unchanging promise: fulfilled in Christ, not religious performance.

**Study 2 includes a devotional challenge for the following week.

● Study 3: Slaves to Sons (Galatians 4) In Jesus - all believers are no longer slaves bound by Law. Jesus-followers are children of God’s ancient promise to Abraham; adopted into God’s family together with all rights and privileges to call him ‘Abba Father’.

● Study 4: Freedom That Forms (Galatians 5–6) Freedom in Christ is an opportunity to serve others, not our own selfish needs. Paul contrasts ‘works of the flesh’ with our promised inheritance of living life fruitfully by the Holy Spirit - growing in personal maturity and sharing our new Christ-like character with our community.

**Study 4 includes a 5-day devotional challenge on ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ for the following week.

LEADER’S TIP: The purpose of this study for you and your Connect Group is:

● To more deeply understand how freedom in Jesus inspires our Christian identity; and how this unites us all together as a community of Jesus-followers regardless our vast and various backgrounds

● To more deeply experience our promised inheritance of living life fruitfully by the Holy Spirit - growing in personal maturity; and disciple-make others.