Discussion Questions

Week of: September 20, 2026 // Sermon Text: Galatians 1:10-24

Sermon Overview

The gospel of rescue by grace alone is a gospel revealed by God alone.

Three lines of evidence:

I. Paul's motivation: to serve Christ, not please people (v. 10)

II. Paul's transformation: from persecutor to preacher (vv. 11-16a)

III. Paul's isolation: he was taught by God, not the apostles (vv. 16b-24)

Digging Deeper

Paul’s motivation: to serve Christ, not please people (v. 10)

1. Brett preached, “Pleasing people, the fear of man, is one of the primary barriers to living in the freedom God intends for us. Proverbs calls it a snare, a trap.”

Where does fear of man show up in your life right now? What would it look like to get free?

Paul’s transformation: from persecutor to preacher (vv. 11-16a)

2. In verse 12, Paul wrote, “I received [the gospel message] through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” God chose to reveal the gospel to Paul, and to us. What does that say about the kind of person God is?

3. Paul was an archenemy of the gospel before he was transformed. Jesus tells us to love and pray for our enemies. Does anyone come to mind?

4. Grace radically transformed Paul. Are there any areas in your own life where you would like to see dramatic transformation?

Paul’s isolation: he was taught by God, not the apostles (vv. 16b-24)

5. God isolated Paul, sending him to the desert (Arabia), to teach Paul some important truths. Has God ever isolated you, or sent you into some kind of a “desert,” to teach you something? Are there any ways that He might be doing that in your life right now?

6. Brett preached, “Now, faith is essential…. But it’s not blind faith. We have reasons. There’s evidence.” What evidence for the truth of the gospel is most persuasive to you? Why is that?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Week of: September 13, 2026 // Sermon Text: Galatians 1:1-9

Sermon Overview

Reject all rivals to the gospel of grace.

I. God saves by grace through Christ's self-giving (vv. 1-5)

II. When grace is distorted, God is deserted (vv. 6-9)

Digging Deeper

God saves by grace through Christ’s self-giving (vv. 1-5)

1. Group brainstorm: If someone asked you “what the Gospel is” and you only had Galatians 1:1-5 to use, what would you say?

2. In this passage, Paul tells us that the gospel brings grace and peace (v. 3). Are there any areas in your life right now where you notice you lack the grace and peace God promises through the gospel?

3. Verse 4 tells us that Christ “gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age.” In the sermon, Brett said, “We’re still here, we’re still in it - but we’re no longer of it. In your experience, what does it look like to be in this present evil age, but no longer of it? Could you give an example?

When grace is distorted, God is deserted. (vv. 6-9)

4. In Galatia, the gospel was being distorted when false teachers claimed that faith alone was insufficient for salvation; they taught that works were required for salvation, too. But Paul wrote that, “all who rely on works of the law are under a curse.” Gal. 3:10. Do you see a distorted gospel of faith plus works being proclaimed in the culture around you? Are there other distorted versions of the gospel that you have seen or heard being proclaimed?

5. Most believers regularly get tempted to add some kind of plus to their faith in Jesus. What’s your Jesus-plus?

(examples include: Jesus plus: my track record, my right alliances, my feelings, my ministry, my outward steps)

6. Paul expresses astonishment at how quickly a person can desert God. (Verse 6.) What might be some warning signs that would come before a person deserts God?

7. How do you feel about the strong words Paul uses in verses 6-10? Do they seem appropriate and necessary? Why or why not?

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

For Summer 2026 use the Swedish Method of Bible Study:

While reading a Bible passage, use the following symbols to mark what stands out to you as you read. Then talk about the marks you made with a friend, or write about them in a journal.

• A lightbulb - anything from the passage that stands out or is interesting.

• A question mark - did the passage spark any questions?

• An arrow - how does this passage help you move forward in faith and walk in better relationship with others and the Lord?

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

For Summer 2026 use the Swedish Method of Bible Study:

While reading a Bible passage, use the following symbols to mark what stands out to you as you read. Then talk about the marks you made with a friend, or write about them in a journal.

• A lightbulb - anything from the passage that stands out or is interesting.

• A question mark - did the passage spark any questions?

• An arrow - how does this passage help you move forward in faith and walk in better relationship with others and the Lord?

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

For Summer 2026 use the Swedish Method of Bible Study:

While reading a Bible passage, use the following symbols to mark what stands out to you as you read. Then talk about the marks you made with a friend, or write about them in a journal.

• A lightbulb - anything from the passage that stands out or is interesting.

• A question mark - did the passage spark any questions?

• An arrow - how does this passage help you move forward in faith and walk in better relationship with others and the Lord?

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

For Summer 2026 use the Swedish Method of Bible Study:

While reading a Bible passage, use the following symbols to mark what stands out to you as you read. Then talk about the marks you made with a friend, or write about them in a journal.

• A lightbulb - anything from the passage that stands out or is interesting.

• A question mark - did the passage spark any questions?

• An arrow - how does this passage help you move forward in faith and walk in better relationship with others and the Lord?

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

For Summer 2026 use the Swedish Method of Bible Study:

While reading a Bible passage, use the following symbols to mark what stands out to you as you read. Then talk about the marks you made with a friend, or write about them in a journal.

• A lightbulb - anything from the passage that stands out or is interesting.

• A question mark - did the passage spark any questions?

• An arrow - how does this passage help you move forward in faith and walk in better relationship with others and the Lord?

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

For Summer 2026 use the Swedish Method of Bible Study:

While reading a Bible passage, use the following symbols to mark what stands out to you as you read. Then talk about the marks you made with a friend, or write about them in a journal.

• A lightbulb - anything from the passage that stands out or is interesting.

• A question mark - did the passage spark any questions?

• An arrow - how does this passage help you move forward in faith and walk in better relationship with others and the Lord?

Prayer