Not-So-Quiet-Time: The Temptation to Turn Aside (Galatians 1-2)
At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 7/5
Day 1: Galatians 1:1-10
Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians because he was shocked at how quickly they had turned away from the gospel (6-7). Just as Saul turned from the Lord in 1 Samuel, this New Testament church was drifting away. We live in an “evil age” (4) with people who want to distort the gospel (7), and we often struggle with seeking to please people instead of God (10). Ask God to help you clearly see the ways that you are tempted to abandon his Word and ways. And ask his Spirit to help you walk worthy of the gospel He has given.
Day 2: Galatians 1:11-24
The gospel is God’s power to save and change us. Paul was utterly transformed by God’s power. He went from a church-destroyer to a church-planter (23). And the people praised God because of Him (24). If we are to faithfully follow Him, we need to grasp the truth that following Jesus is never an addition to our old life; it is something totally new. We have a new family, a new King, a new mission, a new power, and a new joy. This means that leaning back into who we used to be is not only foolish, but unhelpful to those around us. Ask God to help you live so that people “glorify God because of [you]” (1:24).
Day 3: Galatians 2:1-10
Part of the reason that we can’t live to please others is that the church can include “false brothers” (2:4). We always want to love our neighbor, but we must also do this in a way that aligns with loving the Lord with our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:29-31). People must never become our gods. Sometimes holiness and godliness will offend. This does not make them less holy or godly; it makes them a more costly act of worship.
Day 4: Galatians 2:11-14
Even pillars like Peter can crumble under pressure. This should be a warning to all of us: we are always capable of sin and error. We are not saved because we are wise or capable, but by grace alone. And when we sin, we must lean on grace all the more. We must ask God to forgive us, restore us, and continue to grow us into his likeness. Ask God to help you see your own sins and failures, and ask Him to help you respond with repentance and renewed dependence on Him.
Day 5: Galatians 2:15-21
We are called to holy lives characterized by good works. But can this kind of living save us? No, “by works of the law no one will be justified” (2:16). The gospel is that God saves sinners. We must say, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (2:20). It is good to try hard, but trying can’t save us. It is good to do good things, but doing good can’t save us. We must let go of self-reliance and trust in the Lord to do his saving work. Ask Him to renew your love for Him and understanding of the gospel today.
Catechism Connection: 20
God did not save us because we are great. He saved us because He is great: “Out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, God chose some for everlasting life, and he entered into a covenant of grace to deliver them out of their state of sin and misery and to bring them into a state of salvation by a redeemer” (WSC 20). Praise Him for his mighty gospel-power! Praise Him for our Redeemer!
Monthly Memory: Galatians 3:7
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
Day 1: Galatians 1:1-10
Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians because he was shocked at how quickly they had turned away from the gospel (6-7). Just as Saul turned from the Lord in 1 Samuel, this New Testament church was drifting away. We live in an “evil age” (4) with people who want to distort the gospel (7), and we often struggle with seeking to please people instead of God (10). Ask God to help you clearly see the ways that you are tempted to abandon his Word and ways. And ask his Spirit to help you walk worthy of the gospel He has given.
Day 2: Galatians 1:11-24
The gospel is God’s power to save and change us. Paul was utterly transformed by God’s power. He went from a church-destroyer to a church-planter (23). And the people praised God because of Him (24). If we are to faithfully follow Him, we need to grasp the truth that following Jesus is never an addition to our old life; it is something totally new. We have a new family, a new King, a new mission, a new power, and a new joy. This means that leaning back into who we used to be is not only foolish, but unhelpful to those around us. Ask God to help you live so that people “glorify God because of [you]” (1:24).
Day 3: Galatians 2:1-10
Part of the reason that we can’t live to please others is that the church can include “false brothers” (2:4). We always want to love our neighbor, but we must also do this in a way that aligns with loving the Lord with our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:29-31). People must never become our gods. Sometimes holiness and godliness will offend. This does not make them less holy or godly; it makes them a more costly act of worship.
Day 4: Galatians 2:11-14
Even pillars like Peter can crumble under pressure. This should be a warning to all of us: we are always capable of sin and error. We are not saved because we are wise or capable, but by grace alone. And when we sin, we must lean on grace all the more. We must ask God to forgive us, restore us, and continue to grow us into his likeness. Ask God to help you see your own sins and failures, and ask Him to help you respond with repentance and renewed dependence on Him.
Day 5: Galatians 2:15-21
We are called to holy lives characterized by good works. But can this kind of living save us? No, “by works of the law no one will be justified” (2:16). The gospel is that God saves sinners. We must say, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (2:20). It is good to try hard, but trying can’t save us. It is good to do good things, but doing good can’t save us. We must let go of self-reliance and trust in the Lord to do his saving work. Ask Him to renew your love for Him and understanding of the gospel today.
Catechism Connection: 20
God did not save us because we are great. He saved us because He is great: “Out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, God chose some for everlasting life, and he entered into a covenant of grace to deliver them out of their state of sin and misery and to bring them into a state of salvation by a redeemer” (WSC 20). Praise Him for his mighty gospel-power! Praise Him for our Redeemer!
Monthly Memory: Galatians 3:7
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
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