Leicester Gospel Partnership

This week we are invited to the occasional meeting of the Leicester Gospel Partnership. It is with Vaughan Roberts at Enderby Church. It starts at 8pm and promises to be a great time. Hope to see you there.

Bible Study: Galatians 1 and 2

This weeks bible study is below. We're meeting at our house.

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For starters

Possibly in groups to feedback:

• Why do you think it is so much easier for us to grumble than it is for us to give thanks for something? 
• When does thankfulness come easily to you? When is it more difficult?
• What reasons can you come up with for Christians losing a sense of thankfulness and joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ?

The gospel preached by Paul – Galatians 1:1-10

Read Galatians 1:1-10

• What do we learn about the gospel Paul preached from vv.3-5?
• What is the source of ‘grace and peace’, according to these verses?
• In what sense is this gospel ‘good news’ for those who accept it?
• Why do you think Paul is so insistent that the Galatians Christians hold fast to the gospel he taught them? (vv.1-10)

The gospel’s impact on Paul – Galatians 1:11-2:10

• How does Paul describe himself in 1:1-2? Why do you think he opens this letter with this description of himself?
• Look at 1:11-12. Why does it matter that Paul received the gospel ‘by revelation from Jesus Christ’? How does that change the way:
• the Galatian Christians should respond to this letter?
• we should respond to this letter today?
• Look over 1:13-16. Why does Paul emphasise his opposition to the gospel before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus?
• Optional: see 1 Timothy 1:15-17 for another place where Paul reflects on his conversion to Christianity – and what it tells us about the gospel
• Look over 1:17-2:10. In these verses, Paul emphasises both that the gospel he preached was independent of the church in Jerusalem (1:17-24) and in agreement with the church in Jerusalem (2:1-10). Why does Paul emphasise both in order to demonstrate the trustworthiness of the gospel he preached?

Application

• Think about the things in your life you think are worth fighting for – e.g. particular relationships, loved ones, a particular cause or conviction you feel strongly about. Why would you fight for them?
• Why do you think Paul is so willing to fight for the gospel? Can you relate to how he feels about it? Why / why not?
• What difference does the gospel of Jesus Christ make to your life right now? How precious would you say it is to you?
• How do you think you can grow in your appreciation and thankfulness for the gospel – both individually and as a group? Pray about that together.