GalatiansBy Billy Burns and Bobby Battaglia

Background Information

Galatians refers to the Asian Minor of the region Galatia.

This letter is being addressed to the churches of Galatia. It is the only letter that Paul address to a group of churches.

It is an undisputed Pauline letter.

Galatians was written between 49 and 55 A.D.

Paul, as author, is mentioned by name not only at the beginning (1:1) but also toward the end of the letter (5:2),

Paul would have visited the region on his second missionary journey (cf. Acts 16:6; 18:23) and his visit to Jerusalem (recorded in Gal. 2) Would correspond to Acts 15. The epistle would then be sent sometime on Paul’s third missionary journey, perhaps from Corinth

Galatians was a letter (epistle) written to the people of Galatia by Paul

The Epistles were letters of instruction and doctrine by Peter, Paul, John and others to the early, newly established churches

The Galatians, soon after Paul had preached the Gospel to them, were seduced by some false teachers, who had been Jews and who were for obliging all Christians, even those who had been Gentiles, to observe circumcision and the other ceremonies of the Mosaic law

In this Epistle, he refutes the harmful doctrine of those teachers and also their lies against his mission and apostleship

More Background info

Galatians cont.Address: 1,(1-5)Greeting: 1(1-5)Thanksgiving: N/AMessage:

1) 1:6-102) 1:11-2:213)3:1-4:314)5:1-6:11

Final greeting: 6:11-18Blessing: 6:11-18

1. Grace: grace received from God changes and sustains us

2. Justification: A person is saved by believing in Jesus and living in a right relationship with god (for Paul, having faith > living the law

3. the mystery of the cross: cross is a sign of victory and life-mystery of power in apparent weakness and wisdom in apparent foolishness

4. Body of Christ: we are united, even though we have different gifts and different ways to serve

Northern Galatia Christians: letter was then written between 2nd and 3rd journey. Probably written in Ephesus

Southern Galatia Christians: letter was then written between 1st and 2nd journey. Probably written in Antioch.

Christians must learn to live by the power of the spirit and that the spirit controlled walk will manifest not the works of a flesh but, rather the fruit of a spirit.

People are to be put right with God, who shows us Grace and Love

Galatians was written to bring back true faith and love because Jesus was faithful. Relationships with God, Jesus, and Eachother

God always wants us to do the good thing without him always telling us what to do, that’s why we have Free Will

Themes

Follow up to the themes

Read Galatians 1:3-5

- Jesus will be there for us to help us when we need him

- If you have Grace, you will be able to spend eternity with God

Read Galatians 5:20-26- It says the things man has done, Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness,…- The Holy Spirit provides love, joy, and peace, etc.- If you keep up the bad things you will not be with God- If you believe and act as the spirit, you will be with the spirit (Heaven)

Follow up to themes cont.

Read Galatians 3: 9-12- If you believe, then you have a good relationship with God- You will be in trouble if you continue to do the thing your not supposed to- Nobody is perfect, but if you keep trying and working hard then anything is possible

Questions to think about1. Like Paul, has god ever given us a

sign that we were meant to do something , be with someone, or demonstrate a unique characteristic?

2. Is it easy to believe in something that cannot be seen?

Questions to think about cont. 3. Is there a specific time in

your life where you had to trust Family, Friends, a stranger, God, etc. to achieve some sort of goal that you couldn’t do alone? Explain

4. What would be harder to do, teach the stories of faith, or live out the stories of faith? Be specific why you pick either one

In the Packet:

In a few sentences, write about someone you are close to and how they help you bring out the best in yourself. (EX: Parents, Friends, Coaches, Teachers, etc.)

THE END