Resources

We want to be a church dedicated to the work of discipleship, which means providing our church family with the resources to continue being discipled and discipling others!

Galatians Discipleship Materials

  1. If you would like a copy of Galatians to use or give to the person you’re studying with, we have them! Just reach out to us at pastor@ekklesiachurches.org.

  2. You can listen to teaching on each passage of Galatians (and our current sermons as well) via the Ekklesia Churches Sermons Podcast.

  3. Below is a discussion guide on Galatians, that you can use if you're looking for some guided questions to lead you through each passage. This discussion guide is designed to help you engage in conversation in Galatians through some closer study, and thoughtful reflection. Each set of questions follows a simple pattern: we start with observation (what the text says), move to interpretation (what it means), and finish with application (how we respond). We recommend beginning and ending with prayer, inviting the Spirit to not only open our eyes to understand, but that we would be transformed into the image of Christ as we participate in the work He’s doing in us! You can also download the guide for easy printing here!

Galatians Discussion Guide

Galatians 1:1–5 — An Authentic Messenger

  1. Observation: What are the three main qualifications for a church or leader to be an authentic messenger?

  2. Observation: What historical factors helped the spread of the Gospel during Paul’s time, and what modern factors help (or hinder) the spread of the Gospel?

  3. Interpretation: Why was it important for Paul to immediately affirm the Gospel in his greeting? (v. 3–5)

  4. Application: What character traits should we look for today when evaluating Christian teachers and ministries? (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9)

  5. Application: How can we guard ourselves from placing political, social, or personal agendas above the Gospel in our churches?

Galatians 1:6–10 — The Authentic Message

  1. Observation: How does Paul describe the seriousness of preaching a distorted gospel (vv. 8–9)?

  2. Observation: What cultural pressures today tempt churches to soften or change biblical teaching?

  3. Interpretation: How does seeking the approval of people distort Christian ministry (v. 10)?

  4. Application: Where do you see examples today of legalism—adding human rules to the Gospel?

  5. Application: How can we guard ourselves from being drawn more to charismatic personalities than to biblical truth?

Galatians 1:11–24 — Called to be Disciples

  1. Observation: What key claims does Paul make about the origin of the Gospel he preaches (vv. 11–12)?

  2. Interpretation: How does Paul’s transformation demonstrate that salvation is God’s initiative, not man’s?

  3. Interpretation: Why is it important to understand repentance not only as turning from sin but turning into new life?

  4. Application: In what ways are you tempted to “follow the ways of Jesus” rather than personally follow Jesus as Lord?

  5. Application: What “old habits, influences, or comforts” might you need to leave behind to better follow Christ?

Galatians 2:1–10 — United Around the Gospel

  1. Observation: Why did Paul choose to meet privately with the Jerusalem leaders (v. 2)?

  2. Observation: What does it mean that “God shows no partiality” in verse 6?

  3. Interpretation: What does Paul’s refusal to yield “even for a moment” (v. 5) teach us about guarding the Gospel?

  4. Application: Where have you seen or heard modern distortions of the gospel (like the prosperity gospel, moralism, or universalism)?

  5. Application: How can we honor differences in calling and gifting while staying unified around the mission?

  6. Application: How can our group actively work toward deeper unity centered on the Gospel?

Galatians 2:11–21 — Peter’s Struggle, Failure, and Hope

  1. Observation: Why was Paul’s confrontation of Peter so public and so necessary?

  2. Interpretation: What is the biblical meaning of justification, and how does it differ from simply being “good enough”?

  3. Application: How can fear of others’ opinions still lead us to compromise gospel truth today?

  4. Application: In what areas of your life are you tempted to “add” to Jesus’ finished work with your own performance?

  5. Application: How can we lovingly confront each other when our actions are not in step with the Gospel?

  6. Application: What daily practices can help us keep our eyes on Christ instead of relying on our own strength?

Galatians 3 — The Blessing of Christ

  1. Observation: What does Paul say the purpose of the law was (vv. 19–24)?

  2. Interpretation: Why is Abraham presented as the model of faith, not perfect law-keeping?

  3. Interpretation: How does Paul’s “guardian” analogy help explain the role of the law before Christ?

  4. Application: What subtle idols (heritage, achievements, moral success) might still compete with your trust in Christ alone?

  5. Application: How might reminding yourself daily of Christ’s finished work transform your view of both failure and success?

Galatians 4:1–11 — No Turning Back

  1. Observation: How does Paul use the illustration of a child and heir to describe spiritual growth?

  2. Application: What are some modern “elementary principles of the world” that tempt Christians today?

  3. Observation: How does Paul describe the role of the Spirit in a believer’s heart (v. 6)?

  4. Observation: What kinds of legalism or superstition were creeping back into the Galatian church?

  5. Interpretation: Why does Paul express fear that he may have “labored in vain”? What does that teach about spiritual perseverance?

  6. Application: What personal practices help you “turn your eyes upon Jesus” when you feel tempted by your old ways?

Galatians 4:12–31 — Trusting God

  1. Observation: What does Paul’s tone in verses 12–20 reveal about his relationship with the Galatians?

  2. Interpretation: Why does Paul compare the Galatians’ situation to the story of Hagar and Sarah?

  3. Application: How can we better invest relationally in the lives of those we are discipling?

  4. Application: Where are you tempted to “take the fast-track” instead of trusting God’s timing?

  5. Application: What daily practices can deepen your trust in God’s faithfulness, even when His timing feels slow?

Galatians 5 — Walking in Freedom

  1. Observation: What are the key differences between the “works of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit”?

  2. Interpretation: What does Paul mean by “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (v. 9)?

  3. Interpretation: How does walking by the Spirit protect us from gratifying the desires of the flesh?

  4. Interpretation: Why is it crucial to remember that the fruit listed is the Spirit’s work, not our self-effort?

  5. Application: In what subtle ways are we tempted today to add something to the Gospel?

  6. Application: How do you practically “crucify the flesh” in your daily walk with Christ?

Galatians 6:1–10 — Sowing in the Spirit

  1. Observation: What instructions does Paul give about restoring a brother or sister caught in sin?

  2. Observation: What does it practically mean to “bear one another’s burdens” (v. 2)?

  3. Interpretation: Why must we watch ourselves carefully when helping others overcome sin (v. 1)?

  4. Interpretation: How do verses 2 and 5 (burdens and loads) work together rather than contradict each other?

  5. Application: How can you grow in being both gentle and courageous when correcting others?

  6. Application: How can you create more margin in your life to walk closely with and support others?

Galatians 6:11–18 — Marked by the Cross

  1. Observation: What does Paul say is the only thing worth boasting in (v. 14)?

  2. Interpretation: How does being “crucified to the world” change a Christian’s relationship to the world’s values?

  3. Interpretation: How does Paul contrast the false teachers’ motives with his own focus on the cross (vv. 12–13)?

  4. Interpretation: Why is it crucial that being a “new creation” is an internal reality, not just external appearances?

  5. Application: Where are you tempted to seek approval or avoid discomfort instead of standing for Christ?

  6. Application: In what ways are you tempted to find identity in outward achievements or religious performances?